Rob Dickie has been captaining Gerhard Struber’s Bristol City side whilst Jason Knight has been sidelined by a groin injuryRob Dickie captained Bristol City in their defeat to Stoke City(Image: EFL)

Bristol City will look to “learn” and “move on” from their defeat to Stoke City quickly against Blackburn Rovers, Rob Dickie has explained, with the defender thankful for the quick turnaround as the Robins look to return to winning ways.

City welcome Valerien Ismael’s side to Ashton Gate on Tuesday evening for their penultimate game before the November international break. While the Reds have won each of their last two games in BS3, they come into the meeting with Rovers off the back of a dramatic first defeat in four matches – a 5-1 loss away to Stoke.

To a man, Gerhard Struber’s side slipped below their recent standards as they were punished by the Potters and, in particular, Divin Mubama. The Manchester City loanee scored his first senior hat-trick on Saturday afternoon, as both he and Million Manhoef caused the Robins a variety of problems.

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Mark Sykes’ late consolation goal was the only real positive the Reds could take home from the bet365 Stadium. While Struber, Dickie, and the rest of the City squad were willing and quick to take accountability for the defeat, they’re now eager to draw a line under their trip to the Potteries ahead of the visit of Blackburn.

“Obviously, a hugely disappointing day,” the Robins vice-captain told BBC Radio Bristol post-match. “We’re hurt by the result and the performance, but it felt like we were just a yard off it each time, and every opportunity they had, they scored, to be honest.

“We know it wasn’t really good enough, and we take responsibility for that. Of course, we’re critical of each other, but we’ve got another game on Tuesday, thankfully, so we learn from it quickly and move on.

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“You don’t see this one coming,” Dickie added, “We prepared for it like we would every other game. We knew, of course, that they’re a very good side, they’ve got some good players, but in the Championship, if you’re not at it, you can get seriously hurt.

“It always felt like they were one pass ahead of us, and like I just said, in the Championship, you get punished if you’re not there.”

Although he was by no means alone in doing so, goalkeeper Radek Vitek had one of his most challenging games in City colours against Mark Robins’ side on Saturday afternoon. The Manchester United loanee could do little about the majority of Stoke’s five goals, but played a crucial role in Mubama’s second in the first half.

As the 21-year-old left his line to come and collect an over-hit pass from Manhoef, he was unable to gather the ball before ultimately spilling into the path of the Potters forward. Before most inside the stadium – including some of the players – had realised what had happened, Mubama had rolled a low shot into the back of the net.

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It was clear that Vitek immediately recognised the mistake he had made as he quickly had his head in his hands whilst the Stoke striker celebrated. While the error has naturally led to the Reds stopper receiving some criticism, both Struber and now Dickie have quickly come to the goalkeeper’s defence.

On the Manchester United loanee, the centre-back said, “Radek’s been outstanding for us. We have absolutely no problem there; he’s been absolutely brilliant this season.

“He’s kept us in games at times, and he’s got such a bright future. These things happen, we all make mistakes, no one means to make a mistake, and like I said, Radek has been brilliant, so we’re not worried about him.”

OPINION

OPINION