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Bristol City player ratings vs Walsall: Tickle, Pring and Eissat bright but Reds exit Carabao Cup Bristol Live's Bristol City player ratings after the Reds were beaten by Walsall at Ashton Gate to exit the Carabao Cup Bristol City started their season and the Michael Skubala era in a disappointing fashion as they were beaten 1-0 by League Two Walsall to exit the Carabao Cup in the first round. Aaron Pressley’s strike early in the second half proved to be the difference between the two sides on a night that seven of the Robins’ nine summer signings made their competitive debuts. The Saddlers striker turned home from close range, having been denied by Sam Tickle on more than one occasion before the break, when he picked out Reece Smith to send the travelling fans stationed in the Atyeo Stand into celebration. While the Reds huffed and puffed in search of a leveller, they were unable to get the better of former Bristol Rovers stopper Jed Ward in the Walsall net. Here’s how Bristol Live rated the players… Sam Tickle - 7.5 Bristol City’s new number one had a rather quiet opening half-an-hour against the Saddlers, but his night sprang into life on the 33-minute mark. Within the space of less than 10 seconds, the 24-year-old was called into action on four separate occasions, pulling off a frankly ridiculous quadruple save to deny Isaac Moore twice, Aaron Pressley once and finally, Courtney Clarke. Not a bad way to endear yourself to your new fans. It didn't seem like he could do too much about the winner. George Tanner (off for Joe Williams, 78’) - 5.5 Although George Tanner posed a threat with a couple of long passes into Lorent Tolaj in the first half, I would imagine he’d have liked to have done more in the lead-up to Walsall’s opener. The right-back perhaps should have done more to close down Reece Smith, who was afforded too much time and space to pick out Aaron Pressley inside the area. Rob Dickie - 5 It is perhaps only natural that, when stationed alongside the rather quick Lisav Eissat, Rob Dickie would look slightly slower, but the Bristol City vice-captain didn’t seem quite his usual self against the Saddlers. An error early in the second half was mitigated by his defensive partner, but he looked as if he could have been tighter to the goalscorer for the visitors’ opener. In possession, there were a couple of smart passes as usual, but once or twice, he appeared to hold onto the ball a little too long. Lisav Eissat - 6.5 While Lisav Eissat wasn’t asked to do too much defensively for much of the opening 45 minutes against the Saddlers, the defender impressed on the ball on his Bristol City debut. One pass, a raking, chipped effort that set Cam Pring on his way down the left wing, caught the eye in particular, as did a couple of confident dribbles out of defence. Out of possession, his sliding challenge to mop up a Rob Dickie error shortly after the break was a stand-out. Cam Pring - 7 Perhaps the player in Bristol City colours to carry the greatest attacking threat in the first half? Cam Pring was a livewire from minute one, repeatedly using his pace to burst down the left flank and cross into the penalty area. He was unfortunate not to have picked up an assist before the break. The left-back picked up where he left off after the break, contributing well out of possession as well. Jason Knight - 6 The exact sort of performance fans have come to expect from Bristol City’s skipper. Jason Knight worked his socks off - even at right-back late on - and kept the Robins ticking. Had a couple of chances of his own that he did okay with, but couldn’t carve out that one bit of quality needed to get back into the game. Adam Randell (off for Dom Ballard, 57’) - 6 Before he was withdrawn early in the second half, Adam Randell was his usual energetic self, without having all too much of an impact on proceedings. In possession, he kept the ball well and helped the Robins move from back to front, but didn’t stand out, for good or for bad. Jed Wallace (off for Yu Hirakawa, 57’) - 6.5 Stationed on the right wing, just ahead of George Tanner, Jed Wallace looked sharp in his first competitive outing as a Bristol City player. One or two clever touches early on were followed up by a great cross to pick out Lorent Tolaj late in the first half and a decent volleyed effort of his own. It wasn’t a surprise to see him withdrawn early in the second half, as he continues to build his minutes having arrived later than most for pre-season. Max Bird - 6 While Bristol City’s central attacking midfielder showed some positive signs with the touches he had, he simply didn’t see enough of the ball early enough. Stationed up alongside Lorent Tolaj, he was often bypassed, or received the ball too far away from the opposition net. Max Bird was by no means poor; he just didn’t have the effect we all know he’s capable of. Sam Greenwood (off for Scott Twine, 69’) - 6 As he had throughout pre-season, Sam Greenwood started as the left-sided-member of Bristol City’s attacking midfield trio. In the opening 45 minutes, the former Leeds United man showed his ability with a couple of mazy runs, clever passes and one or two dangerous crosses from corners. The 24-year-old came close with a free-kick in the second half, but wasn’t able to leave his mark on proceedings. Lorent Tolaj (off for Emil Riis, 69’) - 6 Given the nod at the top end of the pitch, Lorent Tolaj - as Bristol City fans have come to expect - didn’t give the Walsall backline a moment’s rest on Thursday night. The 24-year-old wasn’t, however, able to make the most of the chances that came his way in the opening period, namely an opportunity carved out by Jed Wallace. While no one could fault his effort, the former Plymouth Argyle man left the field empty-handed and will likely feel he should have got off the mark. We have perhaps cut him a little bit of slack with this mark, given he is new. Substitutes: Yu Hirakawa - 7 The best of the Bristol City players introduced from the bench. Yu Hirakawa was a livewire down the right and carved out almost every chance that the Robins created in the closing exchanges. Dom Ballard - 6 It would be wrong to expect perfection after a day’s training, and while Dom Ballard showed some positive moments, he didn’t truly get into the game. Encouraging signs, however, particularly when running behind. Emil Riis - 6 The Dane had one or two half chances, and looked reasonably sharp considering he’s missed so much of pre-season. Scott Twine - 6 Carved out a chance or two and came very close to a leveller when he forced Jed Ward into a top save.