Nigel Pearson sends message to Bristol City forgotten man after frustrating time on sidelines Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson believes the sense of competition throughout his squad will help ensure the Robins finish the season strongly Kane Wilson is still playing catch-up over his fitness with Nigel Pearson indicating the Bristol City wing-back isn’t ready to come into starting contention just yet following a fourth-month absence with a knee injury. Wilson has been training with the first-team squad and performed regularly for the Under-21s since his return in February, and has appeared on the bench five times playing just 10 minutes in the 2-0 defeat at Swansea City before the international break. Mark Sykes’ four-match suspension effectively lifts the 23-year-old up the pecking order down the right flank, although in a 4-3-3 or Pearson’s diamond formation, there doesn’t appear to be an obvious place for him in the team, with George Tanner having locked down the right-back spot. Wilson has experienced a deeply frustrating first season for the Robins after an injury in pre-season saw him lose his place in the XI for the start of the 2022/23 campaign, having experienced a promising summer after arriving from Forest Green Rovers, and then Sykes’ form, the change of system away from wing-backs, his injury and Tanner’s consistency has seen him remain largely on the sidelines. With eight games to go until the end of the season and City’s Championship status for 2023/24 relatively secure, as they lie 12 points adrift of the play-offs and the same margin above the bottom three, the likelihood is Wilson will get an opportunity before the season’s end, but, at the same time, it’s not a given. “He’s still got a lot of work to do to get to the fitness levels that the rest of the squad have, so Kane is playing catch-up,” Pearson said. “It’s difficult especially when games are coming thick and fast which means the training programme isn’t as intense as he needs it to be. That’s always a problem for players who aren’t starting, they have to work even harder. “With the type of injury he’s come back from, he’s going to have to manage that as well, it complicates the equation but he just needs to make sure when he trains, he trains flat out all the time until he gets opportunities. “He’s available again which is good for us we;ve got another first-team player available but we’ve got youngsters who are catching up too. That’s something about how to keep the motivation to finish the seasons strongly. Well, I think that can be driven by the competition within the squad. “If you look at the forward positions, we have a lot of competition, so that will keep that pretty keen at that end. Because we’ve got lower numbers at the back, in particular, it means when players get their opportunity they need to take it and keep people out.” Wilson can take his lead to some extent from fellow full-back Tanner, plus Cam Pring and Jay Dasilva on the other flank, all having experienced time out of the side, through injury and/or indifferent form but have all worked their way back into contention, on the training ground and then by taking their opportunities went presented to them. Pearson replied “possibly” to the prospect of Wilson lining up in a more advanced role, similar to Sykes, with the expectation that Andi Weimann and Harry Cornick will initially fight over that particular wide forward berth, should he return to his previously favoured 4-3-3. And it’s that sense of competition, particularly in attack, that Pearson hopes will drive the Robins into May as although they don’t have anything tangible to play for, certain individuals can still shape their futures, both in the short and long term. It’s notable that in previous seasons, City have often entered this period with a number of players on expiring contracts, and performances have suffered as a result of it, but with that situation only applying to Tomas Kalas, Zak Vyner, Andy King and Jay Dasilva, the Robins have the capacity to end the campaign strongly and cement their place inside the top half, as a further sign of progress. Naturally the lack of anxiety and pressure around league position means that, all being well, Pearson will continue to give more emerging talents from within the academy game time, as Omar Taylor-Clarke enjoyed an impressive full debut at Swansea. However, he’s also mindful that can only happen if the team are performing to a level, to allow the likes of Elijah Morrison, Olly Thomas or Callum Wood to come into the first-team picture, otherwise it can be detrimental to their development. Yet another reason why it’s important for City to play these remaining eight games with a particular high standard and quality to each performance. “It doesn’t matter what I want to do, it depends on what the circumstances allow us to do,” Pearson added. “You’ve heard me talk on many occasions on how the circumstances can afford us opportunities to maybe blood players but it’s easier when the team’s playing well, and less of a risk when that’s the case. “So it’s important that our senior players continue to perform well and contribute in a positive way. We’ve been missing Matty James and Andy King has played in midfield and played four on the trot, has contributed very well to the team but also has been very important for the youngsters. “Omar made his full debut and played very, very well but don’t underestimate the contribution of the senior players who allow that to be the case, to help manage the youngsters when they play. “It’s about getting the blend right. We certainly want to continue to become a side that’s able to win ugly games. We know that when we’re at our best we can play with good pace, we have got goals in us - I know we’re experiencing a lean period but I don’t worry too much about that. “We’ve been much tighter as a team but you can never be complacent and you always have to work hard at it. The team remains the most important aspect. Every individual has a rle to play and they are in there to do what they’re good at but it’s really important for the team to evolve as a team. “Because to push on to the next level for us in means to be more consistent over long periods and that’s really the key to succeeding and to do that you need a good combination of youth and legs and knowhow.” https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/nigel-pearson-sends-message-bristol-8311377
He’s been unlucky with injuries, I think he’s also highlighted the massive difference fitness wise and the sheer speed of the championship.
please log in to view this image David Prutton issues score prediction as Reading FC aim to overcome Bristol City Bristol City host Reading FC in the Championship on Saturday afternoon at Ashton Gate, with the hosts looking to make a late push for the play-offs, while Royals are looking to end a poor recent run of results https://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/...avid-prutton-issues-score-prediction-26598304 2-1
WEATHER HAS IMPROVED thats good Watford beaten ...again so sacking and replacing once again failed on the owners attempt changing results to get top 6 PNE do Cardiff a favour! LOOKS A REASONABLE TEAM? .. MIGHT CHANGE MY FORCAST's...
Two poor sides out there, Reading especially.. City have had a few chances.. Conway makes it 1-0 on the stroke of HT
A pretty dull first half with City shading the possession but unable to get the goal needed until just before the whistle Tommy Conway scores on his return. We can't sit back and think this is an easy 3 points because Reading, especially Meitte down the left flank, look capable on the break away and we need to be on our game.
Our final ball in and around the penalty area is very poor and could cost us if we don't watch ourselves. Mehmeti flatters to deceive again as he holds the ball too long and his final finish is poor.
Andy Carroll heads across the goal and it's tipped by another header into the goal, and that was coming. Our lousy finishing looks like it could bite us in the backside again. We need more height at both ends because we are very weak at headers.
Not sure what Cornick gives us and have to say Wells has been really poor.. 80mins in hopefully I eat my words..
One sided game.. 67% precession but lacking quality where it mattered.. really disappointing result, typical of our season imo..
Bristol City in a nutshell out there today and but for the lousiest ball control ever on a 3 on 1 we could have lost all 3 points. We are powder puff up front with no height to threaten the opposition and if you combine that with poor decisions across the pitch is it any wonder that we are what we are? Neither Mehmeti or Cornick set my heart fluttering and although Mehmeti can look good on the ball he makes bad choices and refuses to shoot from good areas in front of goal. Max O'Leary left it late but had to come up with his usual poor kick when we had a true advantage to break away with some threat, and he has to eliminate those errors from his game if he want's to stay number one between the sticks.
Pitch was battered, no idea what it looked like on TV but both sides could not play anything on that surface. Bears playing last night proved game less than 24 hours was not great planning. Crowd very quiet, almost like watching a team on the plane heading off to the sun. Good to see TC back though.
ah well not long to go,all a bit like watching a knackered horse struggling to get over the line in the grand national,
Good job we had that mini run, only 10 points away from 3rd from bottom.. I know we have the injuries but I do believe if we are to make a fist of it next season we’re gonna need some decent players in the summer
The pitch, just like the team, looked like it had just had a rugby game played on it and the going was heavy causing several embarrassing miscues from both sides. This is by no means anywhere close to what we are supposed to expect next season and there are quite a few who need to move on if we are to actually become challengers. I am starting to tire of the same promises followed up by the same inept football year in and year out and frankly I don't think we have the ability to bring in players that can actually make a serious difference. Now is the time to try all the youngsters to give them a feel of what it's like playing at Championship level as long as they are not put in too early to damage their progress. Taylor-Clarke has impressed me but at times today he looked a little immature with some of his plays but I still think he could have the potential to step up to the task. We still lack class in the air and our crosses are generally very weak both from corners and free kicks and I am surprised we haven't been able to up that aspect of our game.
