You’ve probably seen highlights of Dom Ballard’s inspired donkey flick goal. A piece of technique that will live long in the memory for the travelling Bristol City fans. But how did Dom Ballard play in the rest of the game?

Last seasons League One top scorer showed the technique and creativity that led to those goals - but there were also moments where he needed to show more physicality to deal with hold-up play, and set piece defending.

Style of Play

After starting in City’s loss to Millwall the previous weekend. Ballard was benched, replaced by Scott Twine, and appeared in the 65th minute replacing Tolaj. Read about that performance here.

In Possession

• Ballard led the line for Bristol City, playing as a number 9 and looking to get in behind the Birmingham defensive line.

  • This contrasted to Ballard’s role as a 10 in the last match, sitting behind Tolaj and being more involved in build up play.

• Bristol built fast in attack, favouring long balls from the goalkeeper.

Out of Possession

• Ballard joined in a front two, alongside Greenwood.

• The front two for Bristol pressed at a lower rate, allowing Birmingham to play long balls, and build up down the wings of the pitch.

• Ballard was more involved in defensive set pieces, taking a marking role. As opposed to the previous match against Millwall - transitional progression after a turnover fell more on other players. This was one of Ballard’s strengths against Millwall, progressing the ball on counter attacks.

Highlights

• Ballard’s goal showed impeccable technique, and strong improvisation skills. He had another chance similar to this earlier in the match (76’) which led to a penalty shout. Both were attempts taken from crosses whipped in low from the left wing.

• Showed moments of strong transitional instincts. Example: He had a good progressive carry before laying the ball off to Greenwood.

  • These moments are starting to look like Ballard’s strength - but there were only 2-3 examples of this due to his role in this match.

• Good adaptability, playing a different role to his previous match against Millwall.

• Good off the ball movement, which tested the Birmingham defence.

Things to Improve

• Defensive set piece marking was poor. There were two occasions where Ballard was easily beaten by his man from corners. One led to a harshly disallowed goal for Birmingham, and the other led to a strong chance, which ended up with a penalty to Birmingham.

• Ballard lacked the physicality in this game to effectively act as a target man.

  • Ballard’s role was to act somewhat as a poacher here, and look for opportunities being played into feet.

  • Tolaj, who Ballard replaced, is a player who does well with hold-up play. The way Bristol built up meant that there were moments where high balls were played into Ballard, but he was not as effective in dealing with this.

Ultimately, this was a very different game to Ballard’s previous match against Millwall. There have been few opportunities to take shots in his City career so far, but already he has showed the technique that led to him being last seasons League One top scorer.