Nigel Pearson responds to criticism over Bristol City signing Danny Simpson and Sheffield Wednesday interest Robins manager answered questions over 34-year-old former Leicester City full-back joining up at Ashton Gate. Danny Simpson is in contention to make his Bristol City debut against on Friday as the West Country side face Stoke City. The Championship resumes after the international break and the Robins welcome Michael O'Neill's team to Ashton Gate, a game that could see a new face in the right-back position. Steven Sessegnon came off the bench for the England U21s against Croatia at the Bonifika Stadium in Slovenia but only got seven minutes of match action as the Young Lions won 2-1. Though the on-loan Fulham man will be back in time to face the Potters, Pearson will have options to play on either side at full-back, with Simpson, Jack Hunt and Tommy Rowe - back from a knee injury - all in contention to play. And the City manager explained just why Simpson has arrived in BS3, with only eight games left of the season. "Danny has qualities as a footballer that we currently don’t have enough of," said Pearson at the pre-Stoke City press conference. "That’s experience, know-how and it probably feels unusual for people to get their head round. He’s a free agent so it’s an opportunity to get some more experience into the squad, that’s what we needed a bit more of that." Sheffield Wednesday were also interested in the player but Simpson eventually opted for the South West. Any plans for beyond the remainder of the current campaign have not been made, but everything is possible. "When I spoke to Danny about it, he told me that Wednesday had shown interest. At the end of the day, you make your own decisions on what you feel is best for yourself for a career move," said 57-year-old Pearson. "I invited him down to train and he really enjoyed training. He knows two or three of the players already and it’s a chance for us to have a look at him and for him to have a look at us too. There are benefits of being able to secure short-term agreements because it is, like I said, an observational opportunity for both parties." That perhaps hints at a longer term arrangement if all goes smoothly. However, not all City supporters have been enamoured by the Premier League winner's arrival for the duration of the 2020/21 season. Bristol-based national charity Women's Aid recently criticised the decision, with Simpson having been convicted for the assault of his girlfriend in 2015, saying: 'Women’s Aid are will remove Bristol City from Football United Against Domestic Violence campaign materials, following the announcement of convicted domestic abuse perpetrator Danny Simpson for remainder of the 20/21 season.' Pearson had his say on the matter and believes that everyone deserves a second chance. "I always try to have a very open mind and I do accept different points of view that people have. I understand some of the reservations that people have had," he explained. "I also believe very strongly in people having a second chance, another opportunity. I would never go into making decisions without giving it a lot of thought. I’ve spoken to people involved in Danny’s journey in the aftermath of his conviction that he has to live with. I’ve spoken to people who have given him support and spoken to Danny as well. "I fully understand people’s feelings about this. But I also believe in giving people an opportunity as well. "I have never been afraid of making tough decisions. In my managerial career I’ve had to make decisions that are based on or have been the subject of thefts at the training ground, racism within training grounds. I’ve never shirked responsibility from making difficult decisions. I try to make correct decisions. What I try not to make is politically correct decisions because it’s something I feel very very strongly about. "Having experienced myself in the past, when I’ve been out of work or lost the job, I’ve had my own reputation questioned publicly - it’s a difficult experience to deal with. "I do have that type of experience, I also feel that it’s important to have a generous disposition in terms of how I view other people’s personal situations. "It’s not about being judgemental, about taking the moral high ground just because I feel I can. Listen, we at the football club have spoken at great depth about this. So it’s not something that I know is going to be universally popular but as I’ve already alluded to, I think it’s also important to give people another chance," he explained. Tomas Kalas is also fit for Friday's game and in contention to play after missing games across the international break. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport...nigel-pearson-responds-criticism-over-5252178
I hate wife or woman beaters but I find I am in agreement with this part of NP's point of view - So it’s not something that I know is going to be universally popular but as I’ve already alluded to, I think it’s also important to give people another chance.
So you all believe signing Danny Simpson was a Nigel Pearson mistake? It's only a temporary contract until the season ends.
If he turns into Diony yes. Bristol City are an equal ops employer so will employ ex offenders. And should.
I will never condone any violence against anyone but life goes on and we should accept Pearson's decision on Simpson. Considering we had players sent to prison and others that pissed on the crowd at Cheltenham I don't think we have the right to be critical on this one. It will always be a contentious issue for some, and I respect their right to complain, and I have thoughts on both sides of the equation but let's move on and start winning.
Rochdale abuse/grooming gang leader, an illegal immigrant and responsible for multiple rapes, sexual assaults, trafficking and pimping out underage and teenage girls, after coming out of prison is rewarded with parasite human rights lawyers winning a judgement for him to remain in the UK, as I have said before why are the sisterhood still ignoring this outrage and national disgrace? a national disgrace that is still ongoing. But still hounding a guy who made a huge mistake 6 years.
Who's hounding? Petty theft is one thing, beating up women doesn't sit well for for someone that is suppose to be a role model and professional earning 1000s.
Wiz The length of his contract, for me, is neither here or there and it's not for yours truly to say it's a mistake either. It's just me.
My god WTF are you talking about? petty theft? what has that got to do with anything? He's being hounded by the sisterhood/womens groups, but as I said they are ignoring what is still happening to young females at the hands of 'men' still on an industrial scale. The hypocrisy is beyond belief. Beating up women doesn't sit well with me either but, something that happened 6 years ago and he was convicted and punished (if the punishment didn't fit the crime blame the gutless liberal in'justice' system that blights this country) his ex girlfriend withdrew her statement and refused to give evidence, she later defended his right to continue to earn a living and to my knowledge he has not reoffended. My point is as usual the mainly left wing sisterhood are happy to vilify him but ignore the industrial scale shame that is still occurring. Probably adhering to Naz Shah's line hoping that these females shut their mouths for the sake of diversity.
what has earning 1000's to do with it? A second chance? of course every one? … in this case its not an opportunity for a second chance! based on his conviction 2015 he has continued with Leics, [end of contract? ] and then 2019 went to Huddersfield for 1 season, bit like now an opportunity both parties to hopefully gain something. why so late in the season to get a game? … no money about... covid! … check the players not playing … Nellie could probably get a top 10 championship side out of them!!!!!
So it's ok then to go around holding a woman by the throat, while sitting on top trying to strangle her? A message saying, you will get a second chance or maybe a third, bit of community service and back earning 1000s doing what most youngsters can only dream about............Role model material?? . For some reason, it doesn't sit well with me.........Maybe he needs to publicly illustrate a way or to send a message that there is no excuse for domestic violence in any form .....but that's just my opinion
Footballers play football. They should not be role models. Best, Gazza, Rooney etc are not life coaches. Parents are role models. Mr Simpson was dealt with by a court of law. Our laws allow rehabilitation. Our employment laws allow Mr Simpson to continue in his chosen profession. Our courts did not decided Mr Simpson after making a mistake as a young man should be punished by having his life as a footballer ended. As an opinion. Backed by working pre covid with offenders including those who had assaulted women public illustrations of atonement can be turn out negatively. Can not will. What may be good can end awfully.
I agree But many youngsters see the likes of footballers and celebrities as role models, many want to be one....whether they should or shouldn’t is irrelevant..
He has publicly illustrated a way, he has not to my knowledge reoffended. You are correct there is no excuse for domestic violence but the best outcome will always be the offender being punished and realising what happened was unacceptable and modifying his behaviour and hopefully passing those lessons on to his children. On a wider note I truly hope he is only here until the end of the season, I suspect the reason that he is here at all has more to do with the failings of Hunt, but hey ho the cull has started several academy players including Opi Edwards have been released already and hopefully Lansbury and most of the out of contract players will follow.
unbelievably every human on this planet is a role model in some shape or form... how many on here can honestly say they have been perfect? I am far from perfect but in certain areas a lot of respect and appreciation of what I can pass on. That's only natural for you, you are in that box... many others live in different boxes .. can see the worth of giving a "second" chance[ although after all this time his "second chance" is far removed from 2015 ]. I would say it is an opportunity for 1 human to give an opportunity to another to prove they still have something to give … not a "second chance" 1FOR, You are only able to believe what you read .. describing the incidence … any sort of violence cannot be condoned, but the circumstance leading to it needs to be understood. No one on here was there, and so no one knows the circumstance leading to it... we only know what was said in court .. and either side may have been less than or more than forthcoming with the circumstance prior to …..
