Bristol City player ratings vs Sheffield Wednesday: Sam Bell impresses as Reds end winless spell

Bristol Live’s Bristol City player ratings after Scott Twine and Sam Bell fired the Robins past Sheffield Wednesday and to a first win in four league games

Bristol City forward Sam Bell celebrates after scoring against Sheffield Wednesday(Image: Photo by Simon Galloway/Getty Images)

Radek Vitek – 6

Bristol City’s first-choice goalkeeper had a rather quiet first half against Sheffield Wednesday, with his involvement really limited to one clearing punch from a Barry Bannan corner.

The Manchester United loanee was busier in the opening exchanges of the second half, but did what was required of him before things calmed down as the game wore on. Another clean sheet takes him to nine for the campaign. Considering he didn’t have too many saves to make, it is hard to give more than a six.

READ MORE: Bristol City vs Sheffield Wednesday live: Knight, McCrorie and Earthy start at Ashton GateREAD MORE: ‘Always be proud’ – Anis Mehmeti issues message to Bristol City after Ipswich Town transferGeorge Tanner – 7

A typical George Tanner showing. The Bristol City defender didn’t give his man much space to work in out of possession and kept things simple when he needed to on the ball. As the game wore on, however, he showed a much greater willingness to join in, in an attacking sense, as he popped up with a couple of half-decent crosses. A good, solid display after a tough night at Portman Road.

Rob Dickie (off for Neto Borges, 87’) – 6.5

Bristol City’s vice-captain will certainly have more challenging days at the office, but he went about his business well at the heart of the Robins’ backline. Even when he was beaten for pace, the defender worked back well to cover and seemingly won the majority of his duels. On the ball, his passing seemed more accurate than it did in the week, as he didn’t really put a foot wrong. Hopefully, it wasn’t an injury that forced him off late on.

Rob Atkinson – 7

In the first half on Saturday afternoon, it felt as though Rob Atkinson was much more involved in an attacking sense than he was defensively. The 27-year-old interchanged well with Cam Pring throughout to help the Robins build down the left flank and showed a willingness to enter the final third that created space for others. Continued to be effective throughout the second half, even producing a good cross or two himself.

Ross McCrorie – 7

On his return to the Bristol City squad following his three-match suspension, Ross McCrorie carved out a couple of half-chances early on against Sheffield Wednesday. After the restart, one of those dangerous crosses got the connection it deserved as the Scotsman brilliantly checked onto his left foot and curled onto the head of Scott Twine to break the deadlock near the hour mark. Having the 27-year-old available once again could prove to be a massive boost for the Robins between now and the end of the season.

Sign up for our City newsletter

Bristol City looking to build on last season’s play-off finish under Gerhard Struber and you won’t miss a beat with our free newsletter.

All the latest news, views, interviews, gossip and analysis concerning the Robins, delivered straight to your inbox.

It’s completely free and you can sign up HERE

Jason Knight – 6.5

It would be safe to say Jason Knight had a mixed first half on Saturday afternoon. As usual, the Bristol City skipper did what he could to try and drive the Robins forward in possession, but on a handful of occasions, his final ball let him down. Perhaps that was just a bit of ring rust, as in the second half, the Ireland international was his usual all-action self as he was heavily involved in a lot of what happened both in and out of possession. Let’s hope he can stay injury-free.

Adam Randell (off for Sam Morsy, 76’) – 6

While not at his top, top level, Adam Randell looked more himself against the Owls after quiet showings against each of Oxford United and Ipswich. The 25-year-old went about his business well enough and grew into the game as it wore on, even managing to create the odd chance or two. Affording him a rare rest when the game was won as well is a nice luxury, considering just how much football he’s played over the course of the season so far.

(Image: Getty Images)

Cam Pring (off for Mark Sykes, 76’) – 7

In a rather strange first half at Ashton Gate, Cam Pring was probably Bristol City’s most productive outlet against Sheffield Wednesday. The left wing-back was able find plenty of space in which he could operate out wide, and his delivery from the by-line caused the Owls a fair few problems. The academy graduate continued to ask questions in the second half, even if he seemingly didn’t have quite the same impact, before he was substituted. All-in-all, a solid enough showing, but he really should have scored himself.

Scott Twine – 7

After, like many others, a frustrating first 45 minutes against the Owls, Scott Twine produced the moment of quality the game had been missing to hand Bristol City the lead on Saturday afternoon. The attacking midfielder’s header was well placed and appeared to spark the game into life on a rather flat afternoon in south Bristol. Should he have probably scored again, and could he have done more overrall in the final third? Probably, but the Robins needed to win this game and had it not been for his header, I can’t say for sure that they’d have claimed all three points.

George Earthy (off for Sinclair Armstrong, 46’) – 6

Making his first start since he returned to Bristol City on loan from West Ham United, and his first senior start of the season, George Earthy was busy early on against Sheffield Wednesday as he looked to provide a moment of magic in the final third. Like many others, things just didn’t quite click for him when he needed them to in front of the Wednesday goal before he made way for Sinclair Armstrong at the break. There’s more to come from the 21-year-old this season, I’m sure.

Bristol City Live on Whatsapp

Join Bristol City Live’s Whatsapp community for all the biggest Bristol City stories sent straight to your phone

Bristol City Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.

Through the app, we’ll send the Bristol City news, live match coverage, team news, transfers, fixtures, analysis and more straight to your phone.

To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select ‘Join Community’.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Bristol Live team.

We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out at any time you like.

To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’.

If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Click here to join our WhatsApp community.

Emil Riis (off for Sinclair Armstrong, 65’) – 6

Perhaps a victim of the slightly flat nature of the opening 45 minutes on Saturday afternoon, it didn’t feel as though Emil Riis was quite able to have the impact Bristol City supporters would have hoped for early on against Sheffield Wednesday. The Dane linked play well on a couple of occasions, but on more than one occasion, a loose touch or misplaced pass let him down. After the restart, he continued to be rather quiet, and it felt as though Sam Bell offered a greater outlet at the top end of the pitch.

Substitutes:Sinclair Armstrong – 6.5

How did he not score? Sinclair Armstrong certainly made an impact and, in a way, carved out Sam Bell’s goal, but he should have found the net himself on a couple of occasions. Another bright cameo in front of the Ashton Gate crowd.

Sam Bell – 7.5

What a showing from the bench. Having watched from the sidelines for the last week, Sam Bell made a real impression against Sheffield Wednesday and even scored his first goal for the Robins in nearly two years.

Sam Morsy – 6

As he has done throughout his Bristol City career so far, Sam Morsy came on and kept things ticking.

Mark Sykes – 6

Added some energy out wide, but didn’t see too much of the ball in his brief stint on the field.

Neto Borges – N/AREAD MORE: ‘Thank you’ – Max O’Leary bids farewell to Bristol City as goalkeeper completes West Brom switchREAD MORE: Gerhard Struber eager to restore Bristol City ‘balance’ but unable to make transfer promises