Despite what appeared to be a never-ending saga, it looks like Joe Williams is edging towards his first appearance in a Robin’s shirt, not including the one on top of the Ashton Gate roof.
The ex-Everton midfielder signed for the Robins in the summer of 2020 but has been hampered by injuries, the first of which occurred on his first day of training.
The Athletic have reported he’s been unhappy with his rehabilitation, but this speculation can finally be put aside as Williams is expected to line up against Swansea City under 23s for the Robins.
The introduction of Williams into Dean Holden’s midfield will be beneficial as they begin their recovery from the injury crisis, they suffered in the first half of the season.
A break for Zak Vyner
Few players have spent more time on the Ashton Gate turf than academy graduate Zak Vyner, who’s performances have been so impressive Holden has pushed him into midfield.
Vyner has played 1995 minutes in the Championship alone this season and it’s no secret that Holden’s preferred defensive combination is that of Alfie Mawson and Tomas Kalas.
Williams will take some time to get match fit, but when completely healthy it can be assumed, he is preferred in midfield to Vyner.
It would also allow a reversion to the 3-5-2 preferred by Holden, with Vyner no longer required to plug the gap in the midfield he can join the pairing of Kalas and Mawson.
A stronger box-to-box midfielder
There is a conception that Williams is just a defensive midfielder, but he carries an attacking threat, shooting at least once per game for Wigan last season.
Williams also acts as a creative source for his teammates, with one key pass a game last season, an effect closer to that of Kasey Palmer (0.7) than Tyreeq Bakinson (0.4).
Although Holden has had the energy of Adam Nagy to call upon, the Hungarian international doesn’t harbour the same physical presence, standing at 5’ 8” in comparison to the 6” frame of Williams.
Bakinson stands tall at 6’ 2” but is still young in terms of development with a slight frame. This has seen him retain the ball in difficult areas but leaves him susceptible to stronger midfielders.
The loss of Chris Brunt is voided
I can feel the hatred already by mentioning the Northern Irish international, but when Williams returns the role that was being inhabited by Chris Brunt becomes unnecessary.
Brunt was brought into the midfield to act as a leader to control the tempo of the game, but had both Williams and Bakinson available to play in that role, I imagine the ex-West Brom man’s minutes would’ve been limited.
Brunt was ruled out around the new year with a calf-injury that would’ve stopped him featuring again this season and it left Holden’s midfield looking slightly light having also sold Joe Morrell.
Greater effect from set pieces?
Something Holden has been vocal about is his belief that his side must score more goals from set pieces, with only four of their goals this season coming from dead ball scenarios.
With the addition of Williams to the side Bristol City could possess one of the taller sides in the Championship, with all of Chris Martin, Famara Diedhiou, Kalas, Mawson, Bakinson and Williams all available in a penalty area.
The teams in the promotion and play-off places, where CEO Mark Ashton has been clear City want to be, all have around six or seven goals from set pieces, meaning there’s room for improvement by the Robins.
Bristol City will be without Williams as they take on Huddersfield Town at Ashton Gate on January 26 in the Sky Bet Championship.
Dan Carter Sport 
Played out of position with no creativity in midfield to supply him
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