Bristol Live's Bristol City player ratings after the Robins battled to an important goalless draw away at Stoke City

Brad Collins - 7

Making his Bristol City debut at the bet365 Stadium, Brad Collins had a relatively routine first half. The experienced stopper didn’t have a save to make before the break, but swept in an effective manner when the ball dropped between the backline and goalkeeper. He did, however, pull off an excellent stop in the second half as City weathered a late storm. On debut, his performance deserves credit, even if he wasn’t all that busy.

George Tanner - 7

Being part of a back three seems to get the best out of George Tanner. Defensively, the Bristol City defender was solid and in possession, he had a greater variety of passing options to utilise. Yes, he was maybe guilty of punting long on a few too many occasions, but I’m going to cut him some slack due to the conditions. Deserved his clean sheet as much as any other player. Seemed particularly solid in the air.

Luke McNally - 7.5

Stationed in the centre of Bristol City’s back three, Luke McNally had a positive first half back on his old stomping ground. Despite the challenging conditions, the defender coped well when the ball was in the air. One sliding challenge that denied a scoring chance moments before the interval - we think on George Hirst - really caught the eye. The former Stoke loanee picked up where he left off at the restart, producing multiple notable tackles and interceptions to help the Robins keep the back door shut. Probably, on the balance, my pick of the match.

Lisav Eissat - 7

Back in the starting line-up after a few weeks of substitute duty, Lisav Eissat seemed to struggle early on against Stoke. The Romanian international was caught under a couple of high balls that were held up by the wind and couldn’t quite get his weight of pass right on the slippery surface. He did, however, improve as the contest wore on, giving up very little on his side of the back three as the Reds ground out a clean sheet.

Rio Cardines - 6

Bristol City’s Crystal Palace loanee didn’t see an awful lot of the ball in the opening period on Saturday afternoon. The conditions, no doubt, impacted his delivery from set-pieces - the wind made it almost impossible to cross the ball effectively - but he did carve out the best chance of the first half, when he cut back to Gibson Yah. His set-piece delivery improved after the interval, perhaps due to the difference in wind direction, and he was able to offer a fairly consistent outlet down the right wing.

Joe Williams - 7

It is good to have Joe Williams back. As he so often does, the experienced head added a bit of bite and grit to Bristol City’s midfield, getting stuck in from minute one. On the ball, he kept things simple a lot of the time, but also got the Robins ticking with the speed at which he passed. The Reds look a better team when he plays.

Gibson Yah (off for Brian De Keersmaecker, 61’) - 6

While Gibson Yah was lively in the opening 45 minutes against Stoke City, the Dutchman will know that he should have given Bristol City the lead in the first half. From midway inside the area, the 23-year-old needed to hit the target with by far and away the best chance of the opening period. A hard performance to mark, as so much of what the summer signing did was positive - on the ball he is great to watch - but the Reds needed him to take that chance.

Cam Pring - 6.5

A bit like George Tanner, the change in formation seemed to benefit Cam Pring. Defensively, he and Lisav Eissat formed a reasonable partnership on the left-hand side and, going forward, he had greater space in which to work. He could have had an assist from one or two of the corners he took, and carved out another chance in open play. Another solid performer.

Jason Knight - 6

After an off-day against Sheffield United, Jason Knight looked a bit more on-colour on Saturday. The Bristol City captain was his usual energetic self and seemed to do well to pick up several loose balls in the first half. Appeared to encourage the Robins to play through the middle of the pitch whenever he could. Maybe, just maybe, City could just do with a little more from him in the final third?

Dom Ballard (off for Jed Wallace, 87’) - 6

On a miserable afternoon in the Potteries, Dom Ballard produced a battling striker's performance that would have been worthy of a goal. That 21-year-old scrapped for anything and everything he could at the top end of the pitch, even if he didn’t always have the best of service. Perhaps the only criticism you could level at the former Leyton Orient man is that he should have done better with the few chances that did fall his way, namely a second-half header from a corner. Had tired by the time he made way.

Lorent Tolaj (off for Sam Bell, 61’) - 6

On his return to the starting line-up after injury, Lorent Tolaj had little to work with in the first half on Saturday. The 25-year-old linked play effectively when he dropped deeper and pressed where possible, but the wet and windy conditions meant he wasn’t able to cause his usual problems when running in behind. Looked to suit the game more after the restart, but a slight knock and likely a premeditated decision to manage his minutes ended his afternoon on the hour mark.

Substitutes:

Brian De Keersmaecker - 6.5

Really impressed once introduced. A couple of his crosses caused Stoke plenty of problems.

Sam Bell - 6

Maybe should have done better with the half-chances that fell his way, but brought plenty of energy.