When asked about his changing role this season, Scott Twine points first to his work off the ball rather than his goals and assists — a telling indicator of how both he and Bristol City have evolved.
Under Gerhard Struber’s high-intensity regime the 26-year-old has climbed the Championship ranks for goal contributions, and only three players in the division have created more chances in open play than him. By contrast, under Liam Manning’s patient, possession-led approach last year Twine’s final goal contribution arrived in mid-January and he ranked far lower for chances created.
City’s overall style has shifted too. Struber’s team plays vertically and quickly, cutting the number of final-third passes needed to produce a shot more than any other Championship side between the two seasons. The Austrian — schooled in the Red Bull model — favours heavy pressing and instant transitions, a clear break from Manning’s Guardiola-influenced build-up football.
Twine has adjusted to that demand. While City’s team pressures per game have risen only slightly, Twine’s personal pressure actions are up by nearly a quarter on last season. “A big thing this season has been about the off-the-ball pressing, high up, fast, and then looking to win the ball and score as quickly as possible,” he told Sky Sports, adding that he feels smarter and more switched on than five years ago.
There are reasons for cautious optimism: City’s late run under Manning — 26 points from their final 15 games last season — proved the squad can find form. But results since Boxing Day (14 points from 11 matches) have tempered hopes of ending a 46-year wait for top-flight football. A win over Watford would deliver back-to-back victories for the first time since mid-December and provide a timely lift.
Some of the dip can be traced to Struber’s physical demands and limited rotation. The coach publicly lamented a lack of squad depth after using very few different line-ups early in the campaign. Several players were loaned out in January to avoid a spell on the bench; although the window brought reinforcements, losing Anis Mehmeti and Zak Vyner — both nearing free agency — was a blow. Struber suggested the departure of last season’s top scorer Mehmeti hit the dressing room after a heavy loss at Derby.
Twine plays down that disruption. “I’ve been in enough teams to realise that players are going to get bought and sold, I don’t think it had much of an impact,” he said, while acknowledging the benefits of new signings once they settled. Tomi Horvat, recruited from Sturm Graz where he led the Austrian Bundesliga in chances created, has supplied two assists in his first four games and appears to be forming a partnership with Twine. The two occupy similar attacking zones, share creative duties and have worked on understanding each other’s movements. “We have a lot of chats together and I know where he wants me to be when he’s got the ball and vice versa,” Twine added.
Horvat’s left foot also gives City another set-piece option. Twine remains the club’s dead-ball specialist — no other EFL player has matched his 17 free-kick goals since December 2020 — but competition for free-kick duties could grow. Twine jokes he’s still practising and hopes to add another, with his last free-kick coming in November in the reverse fixture with Watford.
Twine’s transformation — from a relatively static number 10 under Manning to a high-energy, pressing playmaker under Struber — reflects the team’s tactical shift. His increased defensive work combined with continued attacking output makes him central to any late charge up the table and to City’s hope of finally returning to the top flight.
Watch Bristol City vs Watford live on Sky Sports Football from 7.30pm on Friday, kick-off 8pm.