Bristol City: Get set for unstoppable force

In a week when Bristol City would navigate trips to both Port Vale and, for the first time ever, Fleetwood Town, maintaining their unbeaten record and stretching their lead at the top of League One to five points, a six-goal thriller to cap a week filled with talk of clean sheets somehow seems apt.

A consistent selection policy anchored by the imposing trio of Aden Flint, Luke Ayling and Derrick Williams, flanked by wing backs Joe Bryan and Mark Little, had ensured Frank Fielding in between the rarely breached sticks had not conceded more than once in any league game this season.

“Luke Ayling has come in and bolstered the defence, while Aden Flint has started the season very well and Del (Derrick Williams), who was also around last year, has also pushed on,” assistant manager John Pemberton says.

“Joe (Bryan) has really grown into the wing back role and Mark Little has proved himself to be a real threat going forward as well as a solid defender. I’m delighted for Frankie (Fielding).”

It represents a significant turn of fortune at the club for the 26-year-old and former England under-21 international Fielding who, for the second successive season, started as the number one incumbent. Having looked nervy and often indecisive as City struggled to acclimatise this time last year his days appeared numbered, a combination of Elliott Parish and Simon Moore pushing him on loan to Newport County before injury necessitated his recall at the back end of last season.

Starting every game this term, his injury-time wonder save to deny Rochdale’s Ian Henderson during the 1-1 draw last month was priceless in maintaining City’s unbeaten state. The former Derby man would concede only once in the next four games.

“I’ve always said the defending starts from the front, but us getting a clean sheet helps Frank, helps the back three and helps everyone really,” Aden Flint, domineering centre half and set piece menace tells. “It’s key because if we keep a clean sheet, we’re always going to score and win a game.”

Leading 3-1 with half an hour to go at League Two play-off winners Fleetwood Town on Saturday, the scene was set for another three points through expansive attacking play and dogged defence. However, an 89th minute equaliser tying the score at three, the first time since late February that the Robins net had rippled more than twice in any competitive game, would leave an extension to the unbeaten run and a marginal increase to their lead at the summit as worthy, if frustrating, consolation prizes.

“We’re disappointed with the goals (conceded) today because that’s been unlike us so far this season,” City manager Steve Cotterill said. “But we still keep the unbeaten record going.”

Remarkably in their last 10 home league games City have conceded a mere four goals, including just one in four matches this season, a record which will come under heavy fire with the visit of fellow pace setters MK Dons next Saturday.

Stealing headlines with their remarkable 4-0 routing of Manchester United in the League Cup, the rising outfit, led by teenage sensation Dele Alli, racked up five while visiting Barnsley on their last day out. Crewe were smashed for six on Saturday. The unstoppable force is about to meet the immovable object…