Bristol City verdict: Summer work paying dividends, McNally helps prove point and Twine steps up

"A proper Championship boxing match." Those were the words Michael Skubala used to summarise the contest between Charlton Athletic and Bristol City that had concluded mere moments before he took his seat in The Valley's press conference room.

It was a turn of phrase that was delivered with a laugh alongside words such as "battling" and "slugging" that further painted the picture of the sort of game that had taken place. This maybe wasn't for the football purists, but that didn't mean that it wasn't plenty watchable.

In a way, it was the perfect reminder of the sort of encounter the second tier can produce after three weeks of international football. Anyone who had arrived at The Valley having forgotten what an often gritty league this can be will have left the ground with their memories jogged.

It was, however, a moment of quality that saw Charlton land the first punch. With eight minutes on the clock and City not yet dancing their way around the ring, a clever touch and a smart finish from Karlan Grant allowed the Addicks to take round one. So far this campaign, that's not a lead they've tended to surrender willingly.

That wobble appeared to help the Robins find their feet. Five or so minutes later, they were left looking at the officials after Yu Hirakawa was seemingly brought to ground by Arthur Okonkwo. Quickly, it became clear no free-kick, and therefore no red card, was on its way. The winger returned to his feet and parked his frustration.

Midway through the first half, the Reds did get the decision. This time, referee Tom Reeves pointed to the spot when Dom Ballard hit the deck. Scott Twine stepped up and slotted home. He didn't quite float like a butterfly, but with a hop, skip and a jump he stung like a bee.

From then on, the match ebbed and flowed with each side enjoying their spells of dominance without asking all-too many questions. Outside of a couple of good Sam Tickle saves, there was little potentially decisive action to note, a fact that left Skubala of the opinion that neither competitor deserved to be crowned the winner.

Will this be a contest that is spoken about for years to come? Probably not, especially with the next challenge just around the corner. Before we turn our attention to the future, however, here are the stand-out talking points from City's 1-1 draw at Charlton...

Bristol City knew exactly what was waiting for them at The Valley on Saturday lunchtime. Two days out from the game - matchday minus-two, as they call it in the business - Michael Skubala was clear about the threats and challenges Nathan Jones' side would pose, as you'd expect given he and his staff had three weeks to research and prepare.

Especially at home, the Addicks look to battle and battle hard. City were ready for that, but they were entering that battle without four, at least, of their prize fighters: namely Lorent Tolaj, Joe Williams, Rob Dickie and Noah Eile.

You don't need me to tell you that Williams, Dickie and likely Tolaj, in particular, would have revelled in that sort of game. It is a blow to be without them on any occasion, but for them to be absent against one of the division's most physical challenges could have presented an even greater hurdle.

But once again, the work done over the course of the summer window showed its impact. City named a squad that, had you teleported from their last visit to The Valley, when the Reds made the trip under Roy Hodgson on Good Friday, you would have assumed was at full strength.

Not only did the quality required to secure a point remain, but the grit and solidity that was so often lacking at Ashton Gate in the second half of last season also was present. For that to be the case, even with four first-team regulars unable to make the trip, is a testament to the strength and depth available to Skubala.

"I think that's why we did what we did in the transfer window early doors," the Reds boss told Bristol Live. "That's why we did it because, as you see in that game today, it gets to the point now where it's Saturday-Tuesday on heavy pitches, with more rain, more wind and all that sort of stuff.

"You need the numbers, and you need to have the quality of players - even though they're young ones - that are ready to go. You saw Gibson come on today, who I thought was exceptional.

"We need that depth, so I think in the end, that's going to pay dividends as we go through the season. Fingers crossed we can keep fit, keep healthy and keep pushing forward."

Yes, the Robins could and perhaps should have claimed more than the sole point; maybe they would have had those four players been available? But drawing away to Charlton whilst naming a starting line-up with two players making their first appearance of the season, two fresh off international duty and with the other six outfield players having not kicked a ball competitively in three weeks is certainly nothing to be sniffed at.

I've mentioned those two players making their first competitive Bristol City appearances of the season above. Naturally, and rightly so, Luke McNally has stolen an awful lot of the headlines, having returned to the starting line-up after more than 600 days out with an ACL injury.

I promise, I will give the defender his flowers in a second, but before then, I'm eager to touch on the performance of Brian De Keersmaecker, his recent partner in crime. For the first time since he arrived in south Bristol on loan, on transfer deadline day, the Oxford United man got the nod in the middle of the park.

In his 65 minutes of action, the Belgian won half of the duels he contested, created a single chance, completed 86 per cent of his 28 attempted passes and had two shots of his own. Was he perfect? No, but there was enough on show - namely a sliding tackle in the first half - to suggest the Reds have secured another good, but different, midfield option. The most exciting thing? Saturday was likely him at his - still rather high - floor, not his ceiling.

Asked for his thoughts on De Keermsaecker's debut, Michael Skubala told Bristol Live, "There were some good moments, and some other moments where he probably looked a little bit rusty, in terms of the speed of play.

"But I think you can see his technical quality. I think he did look at times like he needed to speed things up, but you could see his quality as well."

Now, let's give McNally some love. Put simply, the Irishman didn't look like a player who has been out of action for that long. A sliding challenge to cover Rob Atkinson with just two minutes on the clock set the tone, and outside of Charlton's opener, he didn't really put a foot wrong, even marauding into midfield late on.

"It’s a hard game to come into, for sure," Skubala admitted. "But he and Rob, I thought, defended very well together. They looked really strong in there against a really physically-natured team who do that part of the game very well.

"He looked comfortable. I thought he looked very good. It’s great to see him back out there in a proper Championship game."

Scott Twine declared earlier this week that this City squad - in his opinion, the "best" he's been a part of since he arrived at Ashton Gate - will only get better with time. When he said that, he was discussing the youngsters adapting to the Championship, but in another way, McNally and De Keersmaecker proved his point on Saturday.

Their displays at The Valley suggest that a Robins team, when that pair are available for selection, will only be stronger. Considering they've now played game number one, rather than the 10 their teammates now have in all competitions, Twine's probably right. The best may be yet to come; how exciting.

While we're on the topic of Scott Twine... In more than one way, the 27-year-old stepped up for Bristol City against Charlton Athletic.

Of course, the first and most obvious way the attacking midfielder did so was with his penalty. For only the third time in his Football League career, outside of penalty shoot-outs, the midfielder took on the responsibility from 12 yards and found the back of the net with a level of composure that would have impressed Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.

When he faced the media on Thursday, Twine suggested his role hadn't changed all-too much in his nearly three years as a Robin. Who am I to suggest that he's wrong - I'd be stupid to argue with the man himself - but in the eyes of his manager, he has hit another level, particularly in one aspect of his game, over the opening weeks of the Championship campaign.

"He's in great form at the minute, and he's working so hard for the team," said Skuabala when asked about Twine's goal. "Not only do you get his quality and his finishing that we've seen today and against Crystal Palace - with his free-kick - he's working so hard.

"You can see his ability, but you can also see the work rate which, for me, has gone up from Scott Twine this season, which is excellent."

Gerhard Struber said something similar about the Reds' number 10 last season, after Twine had impressed in a deeper role during City's win over Portsmouth at Fratton Park. Then, the former boss lauded his work ethic and endeavour, an aspect of his game that can often get lost behind the free-kicks, confident penalties and clever feet.

It could be argued that Twine's seeming continued improvement this term shows the positive impact a more competitive squad can have on players. You could also suggest that Skubala, his system and staff have helped the 27-year-old unlock another gear, beyond 'Twiney 2.0' - as it was dubbed by Struber.

Either way, Twine is the sort of player who can win you points - or, in Saturday's case, a point. Having him at his best, both off and on the ball, tends to - more often than not - make City a better side. So far this term, it feels like City, and Skubala in particular, are finding a way to make that happen as frequently as possible.

Typically, when the full-time whistle is blown and an afternoon's worth of football is confined to the history book, you will immediately have an opinion on whether or not a result is good or bad.

Bristol City's pre-international break win over Watford was, for example, without the need for much debate, clearly a good win. Similarly, the Robins' defeat to Lincoln City three days prior was, without a shadow of a doubt, a disappointing loss. When it comes to draws, they can be a little harder to assess.

Saturday's match was perhaps the perfect example of that fact. Some will have left The Valley frustrated that City, who for large portions looked the more dangerous side, didn't come away with all three points. Others will have headed home with the sense that Michael Skubala's side were fortunate Charlton didn't take their chances to steal the spoils.

What that tells you is that the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. As the Reds boss reflected, it didn't feel as though either side quite did enough to win. With that in mind, a point against a side yet to lose at home this term feels - at least in my mind - like a good but not great result.

However, that can change very quickly with Blackburn Rovers in town on Tuesday evening. Win against Tony Mowbray's side and, suddenly, the trip to The Valley looks like a solid foundation. Lose, and it may feel like an opportunity missed. Don't take my word that that's the case; take Skubala's.

"I think if you can get some points, three points, on Tuesday, it's an excellent point," the City manager said within the walls of The Valley. "But again, if you can't win it - which I didn't think we did enough to - then you don't lose it."

Rovers, despite their well-documented off-field issues, are in good form, having won two and drawn one of their last three matches. They are, though, yet to win away from Ewood Park in the league this term.

With that in mind, the Robins should be on the hunt for three points. Three points that would not only make Tuesday evening sweet, but further sweeten the draw secured at The Valley this weekend.

Get a result against Sheffield United - who themselves have had a challenging start to the campaign - on Saturday as well, and nobody in City circles will be pining for the two points left in the capital. The draw with Charlton can become whatever the Reds make it.