Tommy Miller was the star of the show as Town ran-out fairly easy 3-0 winners against Bristol City. Miller scored two goals after Darren Bent had earlier netted his second of the pre-season campaign. Finidi George and Hermann Hreidarsson were others to impress as Town out-classed the home side.

The Blues began playing an unfamiliar 4-3-1-2 formation with Finidi George just behind the front two of Marcus Stewart and Darren Bent. Holland, Miller and Magilton formed a midfield three. However, this lasted only around ten minutes before a switch to the more regular 4-4-2, Finidi George moving to left midfield and Miller to the right.

City started well and Andy Marshall had probably his dodgiest moment of the game when he mishandled a shot just round the post after eight minutes.

Town gradually took control and Jamie Clapham came close when he curled a freekick towards the top corner only for it to be tipped round the post. Shortly afterwards Marcus Stewart went close with a header from a Wilnis cross.

The Dutch full-back was involved as the Blues went ahead on 24. Jim Magilton played the ball into space on the right-hand side of the area for Marcus Stewart. The striker laid the ball back to Wilnis who sent a fizzing cross to the far post where Bent headed into the top corner. While Bent will have been happy with the header it was Wilnis' cross which really made the goal.

Town continued to press and it was hardly a surprise when the Blues went further ahead in the 40th minute. Quick thinking from Darren Bent deep on the right flank saw the striker take a throw into the path of Miller who superbly volleyed into the roof of the net from a very tight angle. It was as fine a goal as you'll see and hopefully one he'll repeat a few times this season in games more important than this.

Half-time saw the introduction of Alun Armstrong for Bent while the hosts used the second period for innumerable changes. Darren Ambrose and Pablo Couñago joined the fray four minutes into the half for Magilton and Stewart.

Neither side created masses of chances during the second half with Town eventually going three-up on the hour when Miller played the ball into the path of Armstrong. The ex-Stockport man broke into the area and looked certain to score until he was felled by a defender.

Several players, including Darren Ambrose wanted the ball for the penalty, but it was Miller who got the nod and sent the keeper to his right while the ball went to his left and into the corner of the net for as good a penalty as we've seen from a Town player in a while.

The Blues switched to a 5-3-2 formation late on with Ambrose doing a creditable job as a right wing-back. City had a few efforts from distance towards the end but Andy Marshall had a largely quiet time of it.

Finidi George, replaced just before the hour, made some strong runs and some incisive passes as well as showing off one or two nice bits of skill. It was Miller, though, who caught the eye most, particularly when moving to a central role late on.

Town: Marshall, Wilnis (Reuser 71), Clapham, McGreal, Hreidarsson, Magilton (Ambrose 46), Miller, Holland, Stewart (Couñago 49), D Bent (Armstrong 45), George (Brown 59).

Photo: Action Images

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