‘In my view, Weimann is a better striker than Reid’

When Bristol City were promoted to the Championship back in 2015 there were questions asked about whether the strike force of Kieran Agard and Aaron Wilbraham would be good enough for the new challenge. Many argued that we would need more firepower to avoid failing at the first hurdle and dropping straight out of the division.

Step forward Jonathan Kodjia. The unknown Frenchmen was nothing short of a revelation in his first season in English football, netting a remarkable 20 times and earning himself a move to big spenders Aston Villa. This left City going into the 2016/17 season in need of replacing the goals left by the Kodjia-shaped hole in the squad.

Chelsea loanee Tammy Abraham was next up. Still a favourite of many at Ashton Gate, the young English striker scored 23 league goals in his time in a City shirt and won over every man, woman and child that saw us play that season. But, given he was only ever going to be with us for one season, City were once again looking for a marksman to take on the burden of goal scoring.

The next man for the job was home-grown: City academy product Bobby Reid. The Bristol-born midfielder turned striker had the best season of his career. Johnson’s masterstroke of putting Bobby upfront proved fruitful for both us and the player himself as Reid sealed his dream Premier League move over the summer.

So, one again the City hierarchy was tasked with finding a striker that can score goals consistently, and this season we have Andreas Weimann. The Austrian striker arrived at Ashton Gate with a good pedigree behind him and something of a point to prove after a mixed time at Derby County.

In Weimann, I think City have done it again. It is a mark of City’s recruitment and management that they have consistently found a player to take on that goal scoring burden. And I am going to stick my neck out and say it: in my view, Weimann is a better striker than Reid.

Since last speaking to you City have lost a game many expected them to lose against promotion-chasing Middlesbrough, and won a game away to struggling QPR that many of us would have expected them to win, so what can we learn from the three points over the two games?

I was very happy to see Pisano switch to centre-back for the game at Loftus Road. That is in no way a slight on Kelly’s performance in the role but I felt Pisano gave the side some much-needed experience at the back and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him stay in the team, dislodging Hunt at right-back, for our away trip to Swansea.

The Middlesbrough game was frustrating although not really surprising. City battled well considering the lack of a focal point upfront and with the inexperience at the back. Boro looked as well organised as you’d expect from a Pulis side with a decent threat upfront in the shape of Assombalonga.

One thing that annoyed me about the game, however, was the fans’ reaction to the defeat. There were audable boos upon the final whistle, which I personally couldn’t fathom. I find it baffling as to what some fans expect. Boro are a good side who defended very well; we hit the woodwork twice and had a number of key players missing. I just wish some fans could be more supportive when things don’t quite go our way despite the team doing their best.

City have again delved into the transfer market this week, bringing in defender Tomas Kalas on loan from Chelsea. The Czech player has an impressive record of playing for sides that have finished in the top-six in the Championship for the last four seasons, first with Middlesbrough and then Fulham.

It will be interesting to see if Johnson signs anymore players before the window closes at the end of the month. One could argue that City are still lacking in goal, in central midfield (following the injury of Korey Smith) and upfront, but my guess is that might be it. We’ll have to wait and see.

We face a tough trip away to Swansea this weekend against a relegated side that have started the season well. City will be backed by a sell-out away end so well done to those who are making their way to south Wales. A draw and a decent performance would be a welcome return before our home encounter against Blackburn the following week.

Follow Bristol City pundit Dave Skinner on Twitter @dskinner10000