Vitek impresses as City grind out point against Charlton

Talking points from Bristol City's draw against Charlton

- by Dan Carter

F any Bristol City supporters had forgotten just what an emotional rollercoaster the Championship can be, the first full week of the new campaign has provided a polite reminder of just what is in store over the next nine months.

Having watched their team dismantle early promotion favourites Sheffield United away, and then professionally brush aside League Two's MK Donsin the first round of the Carabao Cup in midweek, 24,000-odd fans flocked to Ashton Gate for the visit of Charlton Athletic on Saturday afternoon.

While the majority of those supporters will have been around long enough to know there is no such thing as an easy game in England's second tier, there was undoubtedly a sense of expectation within BS3. Although Nathan Jones’ side have started the season well, they're the sort of team the Robins should be expecting to beat, having only been promoted from League One last season... right?

In an all too-predictable fashion, things were far from that simple. City started on the front foot and came close to breaking the deadlock early on when Anis Mehmeti fired wide from the edge of the penalty area before Yu Hirakawa forced a reasonable save from Tomas Kaminski with a volleyed effort midway through the first half.

Despite having the better of the limited chances, City were unable to find that all-important leveller before the break. What followed in the second period was rather similar, albeit this time around, Charlton posed their own threat.

Once again, Mehmeti came the closest for Struber’s side as he struck the crossbar moments before the hour-mark, but it was Radek Vitek who was the busier of the two goalkeepers. The 21-year-old had to be alert to deny Robert Apter, Harvey Knibbs, and City’s own George Tanner over the course of the half.