Bristol City fan's view: Draw was disappointing but not dour

It was hard not to feel a slight disappointment at Saturday's goalless draw against Blackpool, especially coming on the back of last week's tremendous victory and performance against Reading.

City struggled to break down a resolute Blackpool defence and in particular their impressive centre-half and captain Shaun Barker. There was a recall to the starting line-up for Nicky Maynard, with Ivan Sproule dropping to the bench. This decision will no doubt be the subject of debate among fans, with many feeling that you shouldn't change a winning side.

That said, if Gary Johnson had kept the same starting line-up and the result had ended up the same, he would I'm sure have been accused of being too negative in playing only one up front.Gary Johnson has said on a number of occasions that there are no easy games in the Championship, and while this is true I did feel that Blackpool were there for the taking. The City defence were comfortable all afternoon and Adriano Basso did not need to perform any heroics, which makes the result even more frustrating.As I said it was one of those games, but after all was said and done it was not a dour goalless draw, on another day City could have run out comfortable winners. Good chances were wasted by Gavin Williams (on a couple of occasions), Michael McIndoe, Jamie McCombe and Stern John. All could and perhaps should have scored.

Big Dele Adebola was kept pretty quiet by Blackpool and seemed to be struggling with his fitness. Maynard huffed and puffed but didn't really create anything for himself apart from a snapshot early on.

Maynard's performance was a discussion point where I sit. My friend felt he didn't do enough; I disagreed with her and felt that we once again failed to give Maynard the right service.

The general consensus was that she was right.

The midfield quartet of Williams, Lee Johnson, Cole Skuse and McIndoe all had reasonable games but the final pass or shot just didn't come off. We are staring to see what a good player Williams is and Skuse grows each week that passes. Johnson was industrious and I actually thought McIndoe had the beating of his full-back but it just didn't turn into anything. Games like today highlight the need for that bit of genius, which is missing from the current City team.

I'm not all doom and gloom; one defeat in 11 is good form and we should be high on confidence. We have two big games against Birmingham and Derby to come. There are 11 games to go and City need to draw on the lessons of last season.

We have to keep focussed and play to the standards we know we can. There is nothing to fear and we should really go for it. Birmingham will be anxious to take advantage of Wolves and Reading's defeats and if we can get an early break the crowd will turn on them. Derby have improved under new boss Nigel Clough but their form is indifferent and City should look forward to the trip.

With our current form I wouldn't be surprised to see us pick something up at both but only if we play at a high tempo and take the chances that come our way.