A 1-0 loss to Blackburn on Tuesday evening handed Bristol City their third home defeat of the Championship season, and manager Michael Skubala did not sidestep what it means: Ashton Gate has become a problem that needs solving.

The Robins created 20 shots to Blackburn's three yet left empty-handed, adding to earlier home losses against Millwall and Lincoln. Skubala identified the pattern clearly: visiting sides arrive with a low block, a back five and a counter-attacking game plan, and City have not yet found the combination to unlock it.

"The opposition come with a low block, the opposition come with a back five, the opposition come to make it tricky and work on the counter-attack," Skubala said. "If we score first in that game it's a very different game. We have to learn and grow and develop and it's something I'm working on hard with the players at Ashton Gate, how we not only create chances but keep solid as well."

The goals tally at home tells its own story. City have scored just three times at Ashton Gate this season, a figure matched only by Skubala's former club Lincoln in the division's bottom two for home scoring. Skubala acknowledged the side are "not scoring enough" but pointed to what he sees as an underlying tactical solidity that the numbers do not yet reflect.

"I know it's not about data and stats but if you come out of a game with that amount of chances you're generally happy with the tactical aspects and structure," he said. "We've been very good in transition, moments in the game we look a real threat. We have to keep developing with the ball when teams are a little bit lower and how we can break them down, and we haven't quite gelled on that or found the synergy in those situations."

The volume of chances created against Blackburn does offer some encouragement: City's inability to convert rather than a lack of invention appears to be the core issue. Yet in the Championship, where margins are tight and home advantage carries real weight, a ground that opponents can visit with confidence is a significant handicap.

Injury concerns ahead of Sheffield United visit

Skubala confirmed that City will be without defender Noah Eile and midfielder Joe Williams for Saturday's home fixture against Sheffield United. Tomi Horvat is also doubtful. Williams and Horvat are expected to return within the next week or so, but Eile's situation is more complex: the defender has been ill rather than injured and has managed only two or three training sessions in four weeks.

"He needs to have more assessments to really dig into that a bit deeper with the doctors, he's quite poorly," Skubala said. "Even when he's back it's going to take him a bit of time to get into training."

The Saturday fixture against Sheffield United gives City another immediate chance to reverse the home trend. Skubala, who took charge in the summer, will know that a fourth defeat at Ashton Gate would intensify the pressure, particularly against a side visiting from outside the top flight. The solutions he is working on with his players need to show up on the scoreboard, and soon.

Frequently asked

Why are Bristol City struggling at home this season?
Manager Michael Skubala says opposing teams are arriving at Ashton Gate with a low block and a back five, frustrating City despite the Robins generating plenty of chances. City have scored just three home goals in the Championship so far this season.
Who is injured for Bristol City ahead of the Sheffield United game?
Defender Noah Eile and midfielder Joe Williams are both unavailable, while Tomi Horvat is uncertain. Eile is recovering from illness rather than injury and his return date is unclear; Williams and Horvat are expected back within a week or so.
How many home defeats have Bristol City had this Championship season?
Bristol City have lost three home games at Ashton Gate this season, against Millwall, Lincoln and Blackburn.