Tanner ‘over the moon’ to get first goal

RIGHT-BACK George Tanner is ahead of schedule and enjoying life at Bristol City, writes Gregor MacGregor.

The defender, signed on the penultimate day of the summer transfer window, was brought in with a view to the long-term, but such is the rapid progression of the 21-year-old that he has made it four appearances in a row and claimed a first goal for the Robins at the weekend.

Tanner, below, has even been City’s third-best player in those four Championship games, according to the whoscored.com performance website.

Speaking about his goal against Peterborough on Saturday, the former Carlisle full-back said: “I’m over the moon really. The ball just fell to me nicely, so I just tried to guide it home.

“I’m delighted to have scored my first goal for the club. It’s a great achievement and I’m very proud. It was very important to bounce back after the defeat (to Millwall). You don’t want to lose two games on the bounce.

“We’ve managed to put it right and it’s a massive three points.”

Talking about the step up from League Two to the Championship, Tanner added: “It’s definitely a lot more intense and the ball is in play a lot more, so there’s a lot of running. You need to be constantly switched on. In League Two, the ball goes out of play and you get time to reset yourself whereas in these games it’s constant.

“Especially as a right-back. You’re playing against top players and my concentration levels have to be there if I want to defend against them. And my fitness levels as well. They’ve got to be much higher as well. It’s something I’ve coped well with and hopefully I’ll get even fitter.

“Tomas Kalas is helping me out. He’s quite a calm head and he’s got loads of experience.

“He can help me so much this season. I’ll just learn from him as best as I can this year.”

City host Bournemouth in their next game on Saturday, October 16.