Bristol City defender George Tanner backs squad to bounce back against Wolves
The 26-year-old credits his experience for guiding young teammates through a turbulent start to the Championship season.
By Beatriz Soto ·
Bristol City fans are still buzzing after a dramatic final minute victory at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.
The Robins trailed with six minutes remaining before Sam Bell and Scott Twine scored in stoppage time to secure a 2-1 win. George Tanner, a central figure in the celebrations, described the atmosphere as euphoric and rare. The defender noted that having family and friends in the away end made the moment even more special for the player who was born and raised in that region.
Tanner has been a regular starter under manager Michael Skubala this season, continuing a trend that began under previous managers Nigel Pearson, Liam Manning, and Gerhard Struber. He joined Bristol City from Carlisle United in the summer of 2021. In his five years at Ashton Gate, he has made 173 appearances and secured late wins against Middlesbrough, West Brom, and Burnley. He views his role as a senior leader in a squad that includes several first-year Championship players.
The team recently switched to a back-three formation, a role Tanner has played under previous regimes. He said he feels comfortable in both right-back and the right side of a three, noting that the physical demands of the league require mental and physical resilience. He specifically highlighted the impact of Rio Cardines, a 20-year-old on loan from Crystal Palace, who has already recorded six assists this term.
City faces Wolverhampton Wanderers at Ashton Gate on Wednesday evening. The visitors are currently seventh in the Championship table and were promoted from the Premier League last season. Bristol City has won only two of its seven home matches this season. Tanner admitted the home form has not been good enough but believes the team is building momentum after a draw at Stoke City and the win at Bolton.
The defender said the squad is focused on performance rather than results, aiming to turn around their record in south Bristol. He expects Wolves to play with a front-foot approach, which will present a different challenge than teams that sit deep. The team sees this as a key opportunity to secure a win before the international break.
