Max O’Leary – 6
A relatively comfortable afternoon for the Bristol City no.1 as he barely had to make a save. He claimed crosses well when needed but will be disappointed to have let the free kick equaliser past him.
Mark Sykes – 8
The Irishman was terrific, making the right flank his own after switching sides following George Tanner’s departure from the field. He beat his man numerous times, most notably in the build up to City’s second where he skipped past Ali McCann and whipped a peach right onto Nahki Well’s head.
Luke McNally – 7
The 25-year-old did not have the most to do in the world, as was the case with his centre back colleagues, but the summer signing was an assured head at the back.
Rob Dickie – 7
It was like he never left. The big man was barely troubled physically and so had the say of things pretty much every time a ball was floated over. He operated with a suave maturity about him as the City defence stood strong against the brief spells of Preston pressure.
Zak Vyner – 7
Vyner put in another assured performance at the back today as he and his teammates had to adjust early on to positional changes. The Robins no.14 shifting over to right back following Roberts’ introduction and, as to be expected having played there in the past, did not look a bit out of place.
George Tanner (22′) – N/A
Forced off early due to injury and replaced by Haydon Roberts.
Jason Knight – 7
When is this man ever not a seven out of 10? Knight held the midfield terrifically. He used his body brilliantly to win and shield the ball and always looked to play the ball forward when he could.
Joe Williams (34′) – N/A
Like Tanner, was forced off early due to injury and replaced by Marcus McGuane.
Max Bird – 8
Well, he’s certainly learning the no.10 role, that’s for sure! After speaking midweek about wanting to get better in that position and add more goals to his game, Bird got his wish as he fashioned space, assisted by McGuane, and slotted the ball past Freddie Woodman with a cool finish. He probably should have bagged earlier but put the ball slightly wide, luckily he got his chance. When on the ball he was positively creative, slotting a couple of balls through for Nahki Wells up front. A strong performance from the summer addition.
Yu Hirakawa – 8
Another goal for the Japanese winger as he gets his second goal in three away games. Hirakawa is an absolute live wire and was a piece of work for Preston at both ends of the pitch. His anticipation for his goal was top tier as he knew was wasn’t going to win the header and pounced on the loose ball, poking it round Woodman and strolling the ball into the net. The 23-year-old never stops running and was constantly getting on the blindside and picking the pockets of the opposition. And not only did he score, he also assisted Bird for the third City goal before he substitution.
Nahki Wells – 8
There is not much stopping this man at the moment as Wells’ bagged City’s second to put them back ahead just three minutes after the hosts equalised. He has cemented his place as the Robins’ focal point for the time being with the goal being his third in three games. His link-up play was good as he held up the ball on occasion to play in his overlapping runners and it is clear his experience and maturity adds a lot to the City side.
Substitutes:
Haydon Roberts (22′) – 6
Came on earlier than manager Liam Manning would have liked due to only just returning back from injury, but the former Brighton full back was a solid swap for Tanner. He put his body about, getting in the way of the ball and holding the defensive structure well. Began a counterattack in the first half after shifting in front of his man to win the ball on the edge of his box.
Marcus McGuane (34′) – 7
After winning his full debut for the Robins last week against Leeds, McGuane was once again thrown in the deep end after entering the pitch in the first half for Williams. But the ex-Oxford midfielder took to it like a duck to water (or a Robin to water?), putting in a performance full of energy and positivity. McGuane was an effective press trigger, getting close to his opponent and suffocated them on the ball, sometimes a bit too much as he gave away one or two niggly fouls. We are also getting a real glimpse of his pace, as he added to his bank of brilliant recovery runs on one or two occasions today.