NOT for the first time this season, City have returned from an international break and looked rusty.

Last month, our first two games after the break saw us struggle against Burton and Leeds and, this week, City have not been able to achieve the high standards set in our four straight wins before the break.

Saturday’s game at Sheffield Wednesday finished 0-0 and was generally one to forget.

Both teams appeared more concerned with not losing and this was reflected in the cautious approach to the game both sets of players took.

City did contain Wednesday well though and we also had the better of the chances with Reid and Djuric both having excellent opportunities to the win the game. Given the Owls have one of the best home records in the Championship a point was a good result for us.

The visit of Preston North End to Ashton Gate on Tuesday, meanwhile, looked like the perfect opportunity to get back to winning ways.

But, unfortunately, City just weren’t at the races from the word go.

The visitors pressed City, not giving our players much time on the ball, and as a result our backline were forced into launching the ball long to the isolated Djuric up front.

I thought Johnson set us up too defensively for a home game as well, with Wright returning at right back, when his natural position is centre back and Smith playing in midfield instead of Pack who was dropped despite playing well in Sheffield on Saturday. Preston deservedly went ahead on the stroke of half-time.

Johnson withdrew Djuric at the break and brought winger Eliasson on. We were the better for it, with less balls being pumped forward and Eliasson looking very dangerous.

But Preston hit us on the break to take a two-goal lead before Woodrow scored a late consolation for City.

This Saturday City make the long trip to the KCOM Stadium to face Hull City (3pm).