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Wherever Nigel Pearson chooses to play him on the pitch, the expected return of Kal Naismith over the Easter break should provide a welcome boost for Bristol City at both ends of the pitch.

The importance of the utility player in Nigel Pearson’s side has been evident during his spells away from the side as he recovers from the second of two calf injuries. The 31-year-old Naismith has missed the last 11 matches after stopping in the first half of the win at Preston two months ago.

His injury set the tone for what was to come as his City teammates followed suit; The absences of Rob Atkinson and Tomas Kalas in defense have meant that Pearson has been tasked with playing an impromptu four-back defense that has seen Cam Pring come into the middle with Jay Dasilva taking over at left-back.

Prior to his injury, Pearson fielded Naismith as the deeper midfielder, maintaining that line between midfield and defense to provide that extra layer of protection. His passing range also meant he could play those progressive balls forward and hit the diagonals, helping to stretch the game by feeding wide men.

It raises the question of what position Naismith will occupy once he is back on the field. Naturally a central defender, the obvious cry given the ongoing back injuries would be to play him alongside Zak Vyner, allowing Pring to return to the flank where City can play to his strengths with those direct runs.

While it does give Pearson a welcome selection decision to make at the back, his return could also provide the missing link for City to move on. Saturday’s draw at home to Reading was very frustrating.

One of them is the fact that the conceded goal was easily avoidable, attributed to a lapse in concentration. The other reason was knowing that City should have ended the game well before Lucas Joao’s 72nd-minute equalizer given their dominance throughout the 90 minutes.

The locals got into positive positions but there was a lack of forcefulness on the last ball, with centers that collided with a wall of blue and white rings. It’s becoming a regular theme, particularly since the switch to four in January.

In a way, the fact that City are now tasked with breaking down the sides is a compliment to the way they have progressed in extending their unbeaten run in BS3 to seven games. The teams are happy to sit at Ashton Gate, which prevents Pearson’s side from playing to his counter-attacking strengths, forcing them to show more ingenuity in the final third.

Tommy Conway’s goal against Reading was a superbly worked shot with Andi Weimann and George Tanner providing an outlet down the right. However, it’s fair to suggest that Pearson has yet to find the right formula with his three strikers since the arrival of Anis Mehmeti and Harry Cornick.

Since Naismith’s absence, City have only scored more than once: a 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Blackpool. Just a coincidence? Which the statistics would suggest not.

According to City fan David Hares (@Haresey66) statistics, when Naismith is in the wing, City have scored two or more goals in 54 per cent of their games (13 games in total). They have scored one or zero in 46 percent of the games they have played (11 games).

When Naismith is out of bounds, the difference is quite noticeable. Pearson’s team has scored two or more goals in 14 percent of games (three games) and one or no goals in 86 percent of games (19 games).

Naismith’s set pieces have been a weapon for City. Alex Scott and Matty James have provided the firepower of dead ball situations in his absence, but not to the same effect.

No player averages more passes than Naismith’s 59.7 per game at City, while only Jay Dasilva averages more crosses. He also averages 6.1 long balls in 90 minutes, followed by Zak Vyner at 4.3.

If he returns to defense, it is likely to have a positive impact on Mehmeti’s play as he pushes Pring into a larger role. Dasilva has been solid defensively, but his attacking qualities cannot be compared to his teammate, who has the energy, pace and physicality to provide the Albanian’s overlap.

Mehmeti likes to cut to the inside with his favored right foot, so Pring’s overlap would naturally create more room for the winger to operate. In theory, it will also allow him to move into the middle and play closer to Nahki Wells, who has been isolated at times in the number 9 role.

We’ve seen the ups and downs of Naismith this season, though he apparently eradicated those costly mistakes made early in the season. Playing progressive passes carries the risk of being intercepted, but it’s clear that the positives he brings to the side completely outweigh the risks.

If he returns for the last seven or six games of the season, don’t be surprised if it coincides with City improving their tally in front of goal.

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