Every word Nigel Pearson said on Bristol City's dire home form, Rotherham and injuries The full post-match written press conference as the City manager gave his reaction to the loss and much more. You said before the game that signs of anxiety can creep in when you’re on a long losing run, home or away, did you see signs of that creeping in today? Only after we went behind, yes. We knew it was going to be an ugly game. Fair play to Rotherham, they know what they are, a hard-working, honest side. They’re huge as well, a big, big side that plays to their strengths. But I felt we dealt with it pretty comfortably in the first-half, but there’s no accounting for individual mistakes and that’s a goal just before half-time when we hadn’t been put under any stress. You said before the game that signs of anxiety can creep in when you’re on a long losing run, home or away, did you see signs of that creeping in today? Only after we went behind, yes. We knew it was going to be an ugly game. Fair play to Rotherham, they know what they are, a hard-working, honest side. They’re huge as well, a big, big side that plays to their strengths. But I felt we dealt with it pretty comfortably in the first-half, but there’s no accounting for individual mistakes and that’s a goal just before half-time when we hadn’t been put under any stress. Did Dan Bentley need to come for the cross? It’s a mistake, I’m not saying any more than that. You can write what you want. Two more players went off injured today, Tomas in the first-half and then Callum, do you know if they’re serious? I don’t know, we’ll assess them over the next 24 hours, but it’s never good to lose players during the game. The changes I want to make are ones that are for the good of the team, not through losing players with potential injuries. Like I say, I don’t know how severe they are at the moment so we’ll wait before making any announcements. Tomas appeared to be holding his hip? I believe it might be something like that. I didn’t really spend a lot of time thinking about it. As I say, we’ll assess it and make an announcement when we know. Your job is to speculate not mine. On Callum, was it a leg injury? Yes. It’s an extraordinary home record of late, particularly when compared to the away one, do you know what the difference is? Not being able to deal with disappointments in games. I felt we were comfortable in the first half, and if we scored the first goal it may have been a different story. At the moment, we are not able to deal with setbacks during games at home which is something moving forward that we need to find solutions for. It’s not a run that is one to be proud of. But before the game, the players were in very good spirits, and we had a good feeling about today. It’s another day where we are disappointed with the result. What did you make of Liam Walsh today? I thought for his first game back, he did well. He’s an intelligent footballer. He’s a good player, yes. Any news on Danny Simpson? We’ll make statements when it’s appropriate to make them. It’s as simple as that. Is it close? Like I say, you can have a go all you want. I’m saying nothing. Nigel, just one goal in the last six home games, are the side lacking any confidence on the pitch? Well, you’ve just heard the questions I’ve answered there which probably answer that question. For the second goal Diedhiou was off of the pitch, you've made the change, but do you feel you might have not conceded that he had been on? I’m not a clairvoyant, I couldn’t tell you that one. He’s certainly good at defending set-pieces though? Yes he is, he’s very reliable, of course he is. It’s another set-piece goal conceded and you’ve been working on them, do you have more work to do? We look at it every week. So, it’s not about being reactive it’s about being proactive. When you make changes during the game, the players who are on the field have jobs to do, it’s as simple as that as far as I’m concerned. I don’t pick strikers just because they’re good at defending set-plays. That’s an added bonus. Do you think the side lacks physicality? I think if you’re talking about our size, that’s pretty clear today. We have the squad that we have currently, and it’s important to work with that squad. I’m not going to hide from the fact that when the two sides are against each other, it was like playing a basketball team today at times. But they’re good at what they do. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/every-word-nigel-pearson-said-5209265 ‘We’ll put our home form right’ – Pearson Saturday, March 20th 2021 Nigel Pearson has vowed to find the solution as his side look to improve their home form. The Robins suffered their sixth consecutive loss in BS3 as Rotherham United ran out 2-0 winners on Saturday but Pearson felt his side competed well against physical opponents. The Robins manager insists his team must “learn to win in different ways” as he rued individual errors on the day. Pearson told Robins TV: “I think one of the difficulties is having to deal with another disappointment at home. I really had a good feeling for today, not just because our preparation was good but the players seemed to have a very optimistic approach to this game. “We knew what to expect from Rotherham and, in honesty, I felt we dealt with their direct approach pretty comfortably in the first half. “You can’t account for individual mistakes which change the complexion of the game, so I felt today, in the first half, we needed to be more clinical in both boxes. We had some good opportunities to create more in a very physical, challenging game but they scored out of nothing. “Then, in the second half, there was a sense of impatience at times to rectify things. That’s where we have to be better as a team, in terms of being able to deal with setbacks. We will improve. I don’t feel this anxiety that people want to talk about, we clearly have some sort of a problem to solve but I wouldn’t necessarily point to anything that was obvious in the preparation. “In the longer term it’s something we have to put right and I, like everyone else, miss having our own fans in the stadium, so we look forward to that. In the meantime, it’s important our attitude and goals are to finish with positivity. Results like today don’t help but we’ll find the solutions.” please log in to view this image Tomas Kalas (hip) and Callum O’Dowda (hamstring) were forced off in the 25th and 88th minutes. Captain Kalas landed awkwardly in the first half and was replaced by Zak Vyner, while O’Dowda left the field in the 88th minute. Both will now be assessed ahead of the international break and a decision made on whether they join up with the Republic of Island and the Czech Republic. Pearson said: “It happens, we deal with it regardless of what I think about that sort of situation. I don’t ever want to look for excuses, it’s part and parcel of the modern game and it was a very physical game from both sides as well, they knew they were in a tough scrap. “I thought we competed very well against a side who are far bigger and physical than us, but I don’t see it as looking for excuses. You have to learn to win in different ways and for us at home we can’t find the way to win but we will.” please log in to view this image Pearson also touched on his first six games in charge of the Robins continuing: “I’m disappointed we’ve not won more games of course. My view on taking positions at football clubs is always about problem solving and finding solutions. I don’t think about my own situation, I think about it in terms of where we are and how we move from A to B to find more success. “I’m very ambitious and I know the club is also. We have to use the rest of this season to formulate the plan for the future. I’ve had tremendous support from everyone at the football club. I’ve spoken with Steve and Jon (Lansdown) on a few occasions, Mark Ashton has been absolutely fantastic - the support he has given me has been outstanding. “I’m really looking forward to how we plan the next chapter.” City return to action at home against Stoke City on Good Friday (April 2nd, 3pm KO), live on Robins TV. https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/we-ll-put-our-home-form-right-pearson/
Here is hoping I wonder why MA is creeping all over him? “I’m very ambitious and I know the club is also. We have to use the rest of this season to formulate the plan for the future. I’ve had tremendous support from everyone at the football club. I’ve spoken with Steve and Jon (Lansdown) on a few occasions, Mark Ashton has been absolutely fantastic - the support he has given me has been outstanding. “I’m really looking forward to how we plan the next chapter.”
