Kalas and NP had a fall out last season when Kalas was fit to play, and NP snubbed him as he wouldn’t sign the new contract. No chance of this being resolved now as a result, as it couldn’t be with HNM.
I wish HNM the very best but don't think HNM is/was ever ready for the Championship. Even now I wouldn't play him in front of James, Williams, Knight, Scott etc. Kalas was a top defender and light years ahead of Vyner. Shame NP, the budget and Kalas couldn't have sorted something out.
No fuss at all as far as I'm concerned HNM and Kalas both served their contracts right to the end , Bristol City paid their wages in full, they wanted to move on, Nige made offers to what he considered we could afford, they decided no thankyou and have decided to depart, fair enough we all agreed to disagree and bon voyage. Replacements have been signed, we have moved on, they are still looking for their next club, good luck to them for the future.
To be honest I can’t blame Nige for that. I wish Delboy had done the same with Maynard. In fact I wish he’d sold Maynard to Leicester for £7m when it was on the table.
Top defender, best at the club, however if he won’t sign the new contract then we part company. We offered what we can afford in these changed times, he wasn’t prepared to sign, it’s a shame but that’s his prerogative. Move on.
Tommy Conway: Bristol City forward ready to lead Robins after breakthrough year https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66323267
Kalas fit was good -Kalas injured is no good-him and Baker was awesome when fit but that was never for long. I rate Atkinson think he will be awesome when he gets back.
I think Atkinson is ok, but not likely to be the type of defender that gets us to the next level, i.e. top 6. He is too slow on the turn for me, he is playing at the highest of his ability now imo.
I like him like it when he brings the ball out and always has a goal in his locker with his head-reminds me of big Dave Rodgers.
Apart from last season his fitness reckon with us isn’t bad, even Weiman was out for much of a season with an ACL, that’s football. It’s not fair to suggest Kalas injury record is poor. He’s coming off the back of a long layoff though which will limit his options this season, which is why I thought he may stay with us, especially considering his Mrs is a local girl, he’s settled in the area and before signing for us he had numerous loan spells and wanted something settled.
With respect he’s not as good a defender as Kalas, if he’d not been injured last season he’d have top end championship clubs after him.
I thought Kalas may have taken the offer of a reduced contract, if only to regain his fitness level, a season without injuries would make him much more likely to be offered a lucrative contract next season by a top championship club. Now he’s not a very attractive proposition as potential suitors will be put off by last years injury.
Bristol City predicted team vs Preston: All eyes on Alex Scott with Jason Knight set for debut There will be considerable interest around Nigel Pearson's first team selection of the 2023/24 Championship season https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/bristol-city-predicted-team-preston-8656099 Bristol City (4-3-3, probable): Max O’Leary; George Tanner, Zak Vyner, Rob Dickie, Cam Pring; Matty James, Jason Knight, Andi Weimann; Mark Sykes, Nahki Wells, Sam Bell
If he was in demand at the wages he wants -why has no one snapped him up-to expensive in today's market i would say.
Kalas was a terrific arrival for us and a feather in LJ's hat, a skillful, high quality international player, high cost investment, salary and contract, he played well for us ,deserved his high reputation and completely honoured his contract, time moved on our clubs circumstances dramatically changed and we offered what we could afford, he quite rightly chose to explore opportunties elsewhere. Everything has been conducted in an orderly fashion, the guy has gone, good fortune to him, no one player is bigger than the club, his choice to go but we have quite rightly moved on and hopefully all is well.
While I agree with what you have said here, I can’t help but feel that NP’s steadfast refusal to play Kalas when he was fit last season, made up his mind not to sign the new contract, and take his chances elsewhere. I just don’t see a way that Kalas will u-turn now and resign for us as a result.
