Bristol City’s season is gathering pace after a shaky start.

The Robins 2-1 win against Derby County on Tuesday, their first at Pride Park in 11 years, was their second on the bounce and Lee Johnson’s side now sit seventh – just three points off the top of the Championship.

It appears the City squad is beginning to settle after a hectic summer which saw 12 new players arrive at Ashton Gate and some key figures, such as captain Marlon Pack and star defender Adam Webster, leave.

Their upturn in form is made all the more impressive given that injuries have ravaged Johnson’s squad. Six players are missing from the senior squad, including summer additions Jay Dasilva and Adam Nagy.

One player who looks close to a return is goalkeeper Niki Maenpaa, who appears to be close to full fitness after recovering from a calf problem.

The 34-year-old featured for the under-23 side against Wigan on Monday and may be available for selection soon but it may be better for the Robins if Johnson resists putting him back in the side.

In Maenpaa’s absence, summer signing Daniel Bentley has made an impressive start to his career at Ashton Gate.

The 26-year-old made the switch from Brentford in June for a reported fee in the region of £2 million and signed a four-year deal at the club.

Bentley made 125 appearances for the London side across three seasons and was the first-choice goalkeeper for the majority of the 2018/19 campaign, featuring 33 times.

He is proving his worth already at Ashton Gate, pulling off a stunning save to help the Robins win in midweek and looking assured between the sticks this season.

The Englishman has conceded just two goals, one of which was a Jack Marriott screamer, in the league since the opening weekend 3-1 defeat to Leeds United and kept one clean sheet.

With Bentley behind a back three of Tomas Kalas, Nathan Baker and Taylor Moore, City have found a set-up that works for them and provides a solid foundation for the side.

There is no need for Johnson to change what has proved a winning formula and risk halting his side’s momentum, so it is important he keeps the faith in his current number one.

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Looking longer-term, Bentley could be the answer to the issue the Robins have had in recent years in finding a consistent shot-stopper, with Johnson including seven different goalkeepers in their matchday squads over the last two seasons.

City have yearned for stability between the posts and if Johnson keeps the faith, Bentley could provide just that.

At 26, the Englishman should have his best years ahead of him and if correctly developed, could be a long-term option in goal.

Bentley will hopefully continue to improve as he becomes more settled and builds a better understanding with the defenders in front of him.

There are multiple sidelined players, such as Nagy and Dasilva, whose absence is a great loss to this City side, the Englishman has so far ensured that Maenpaa is not one of them.

Bentley has done an excellent job for Johnson at the start of this season but the 38-year-old coach now needs to keep the faith.