The first 10 games have gone in The Championship and however you look at the results of the last few days it’s been a solid start for City, writes Graham Ford.

Before I look forward to the Reading game on Saturday, I am bound to say that how the referee missed the Preston striker, Bauer, climbing all over Nathan Baker for their equaliser at Preston last Saturday is beyond belief. I don’t like VAR when the length of a toe nail rules out a goal but I would have liked the referee to have had the chance of a second look at that incident. 3 goals away should have been enough to have won that game.

City’s home form has not matched that of their travels on the road. This will have to improve if their solid start is to be converted into a genuine promotion challenge. City’s pressing, high temp game is better suited when teams come onto them and that makes things somewhat harder at Ashton Gate. Saturday is a game that City should win. Reading have been struggling for sometime now and are languishing deep in the bottom half of the table. Backed by a large away following it will be a great atmosphere but City really need a fast start to put any doubts to bed early on. The City injury count has really been extraordinary. Kalas, De Silva, Nagy to name but three are all first choice but have been missing for weeks. Afobe, on loan from Stoke and so promising is out for the season. There is reason to be optimistic that when these players return City will look very strong indeed unless of course further long term injuries follow. Some fans think that it must be something to do with the training methods. Personally I think it’s just plain bad luck.

I doubt if Massengo would have had as much game time had Nagy been fit. At barely 18 years old he is a hugely talented player who will develop with us and will undoubtedly play on the world stage one day if he continues his progression. He lifts the crowd with his pace, enthusiasm and skill.

I expect City to win on Saturday and then league table will look a very happy place on Saturday night.

Graham Ford