Pereira hails team's defensive efforts

He featured 90 minutes in the goalless draw versus Nottingham Forest on Saturday, receiving the Man of the Match award after the full-time whistle.

“Everyone is defending well, from the forwards to the defenders, everyone is doing their jobs and it makes everything easier,” he said.

However, it was credit to Forest for their own defensive work, cutting out the number of times City created – often from wide positions.

And the Robins’ job was not made any easier when they faced ten man, after Ryan Yates’ sending off.

Pereira explained: “It was a difficult game. After the red card we struggled a lot to get the space, they went back at waited which meant it was harder for us to get the goals.

“When they got the red card they went back to their box and waited. It makes the game slower and harder to get chances and to get into the dangerous space so we need to keep on working.”

Watch: Pereira dissects Robins' efforts

But the right-back, on loan from Benfica, shared his delight to star alongside the returning club captain Bailey Wright, who was in the starting XI for the first time since August.

Pereira said: “I’m happy to see him back on the pitch. He’s one of my best friends inside here and a guy who helps everyone so I’m very pleased to see him back on the pitch and to play with him.”

City return to action when they travel to face West Brom on Wednesday night (November 27^th, 8pm KO).