Bristol City press conference live: Nigel Pearson on injuries, team news and Coventry City test Updates from Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson's press conference as he discusses the fallout from the Birmingham City defeat, selection decisions and the Championship clash at Coventry City Nigel Pearson on Matty James We'll have to make a decision on him tomorrow. Nathan Baker is not available for this weekend On top of that, Nathan Baker won't be available. Apart from that, as we were. I said a couple of weeks ago I didn't expect him to be back for these games. When players suffer such heavy knocks, it's important to make sure they are able to get right ... having experienced plenty myself. Pearson on Joe Williams We know exactly where he is. He missed all of last season with a soft tissue injury and not being in good enough a condition. He's already been out twice this season. I understand why he's impatient but we will make the decision that's best for him. Pearson on the Birmingham performance In isolation the other night, we just didn't deal with the threat we knew they had. In terms of managing the ball we were much better than we had been. It's proved we're not a possession team, because I think we had 62% possession and got beat 3-0. We're at our best when we're counter-attacking. Speaking to their staff afterwards, they're decided to go direct to Troy Deeney and it's paying dividends for them. Pearson on Coventry Just on form alone, we have to be mindful of that because they've had a really good start to the season. And they play decent football too. They have forwards who work exceptionally hard and they're a very fit side, so it'll be a tough game .... but so what? I keep saying it, but I'm looking at what we do. If I compare us the other night and what we're capable of, not anywhere near our best in terms of what we can achieve in games. That's what I'm looking for. Pearson on James' importance It would have been relatively obvious when he went off (his importance) as there was no control. For a person who is highly regard, respected within the game and amongst his peers, I never hear anyone shouting from the rooftops about his performance which really does surprise me. Because it's pretty obvious to me he's among the most influential players we've got. He's the best midfield coach we've got at the club! Pearson on Bakinson Tyreeq's a really good passer of the ball but what he's not always had is the ability to play at the pace we need to. But I thought he tried really hard the other night to do what we're asking him to do and also managed the ball exceptionally well. He was one of our more positive performances. Do City have the players to cover for James control in midfield? We'll see what the performance is like if he doesn't make it. That's something you can ask retrospectively, if that is the case, rather than pre-empt it because the young players that we have are very capable players. I mentioned the other night, one of our biggest problems is consistency and that's something you can't expect, realistically, from young players week-in, week-out. Pearson on (a lack of) consistency Consistency remains our Achilles heel at the moment, in terms of being able to, if they're not good performances, they are still performances that merit us getting something out of the game. That very statement says something about experience and that is one of the main reasons why, in the summer, it was important to get good experienced players in. Which we did but unfortunately Kingy is injured at the minute and Matty has got this knock on his foot, which has been problematic for him over the last two games. Pearson on three at the back It's not something I would prefer but out of necessity and for the balance of the players we have available, sometimes it's about going that way. People like to pigeon-hole everybody by saying they like to play a certain way. I would rather have a settled side that's winning but sometimes you have to make changes because of opponents. It's not my preferred style, I like us to get into a rhythm but we've not really found that and we've had a few players out of form which doesn't help. But then sometimes players have to play their way out of bad form, that's just where we are. Pearson on finding the right solution When you don't win games or you don't play well, it's, 'well, why isn't he playing?' it's just like, let's swap one for another. The reality is the dynamic about how a football club is run is how the dynamics of the squad are; I've already talking about the dynamics in terms of what the midfield looks like, when we don't have experience. So it's not just about taking someone out and slotting someone else in. It's complex because it's trying to strike a balance of having enough options to try and create in a game, but unfortunately we haven't been resilient enough as a team at times. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/bristol-city-press-conference-live-6159593
hopefully applies to all!!! a lot have a downer on him NP doesnt! based on this JAMES should be given the opportunity to recover fully! going on his comments doesnt know whether we might be set up right or other team see's through us or down to players not being a team ... a couple [2-3] of groups that try and do their job defence midfield attack??? at the mo I would say play 6-3-1 ...lol or 3 - 6- 1......
The fact is we are under performing and I don't know whether we have the players in-house who can change our fortunes. The right pegs in the right holes seems to be eluding us and sooner or later Nigel needs to fess up and state that he can't move us forward with the players we currently have and only a dip in the transfer market can cure our ills. We already know that cash will be in short supply so how on earth can we change our struggle without a large clear out sale in a market in which we will have clear disadvantages against those with parachute payments? If we continue to wander down the same route without a clear plan and commitment I fear for our future as a perennial team in the Championship. The major change in club philosophy that we all craved for actually happened but the smiling faces of satisfied supporters hasn't been part of that glow and quite frankly I see more tears down the road because whether we like to face the facts, or not, we are still a crap team heading nowhere.
There are a few comments in that press conference that I disagree with and to be honest, I'm not impressed or inspired "We're at our best when we're counter-attacking" I think we've been found out on that tactic.. On Bakinson.."He was one of our more positive performances."........He was bloody dreadful IMO On Consistency, we don't have any IMO....poor performances seem consistent, teams have sussed us out and how to carve our defence..
Very harsh. Ok not every thing went right for him but he 'showed'. In that squad who else did we have on the night ? Pearson didn't want to risk Massengo, Williams is Williams. Can you think of anyone ? We really are struggling.
I’d rather have Palmer in than Bakinson..he’s not a player when we’re struggling.. too many errors in his game.. plus, Massengo was fit enough to come on and was on the bench..I don’t understand the risk factor.. if he’s not ready, then shouldn’t even feature.. start your best 11 available IMO
If they’re fit to be on the bench then they are fit to play.. simple.. to start your best 11, pull them off when they tire..
I have this sinking feeling that all is not well with NP based on recent interviews and perhaps he sees things differently after a bout of Covid.
aint that what fergie told ole!!! np stated if they aint fit wont be in the squad and more than 28 to choose from..... so all should be fit... really .... Ashton,! that is not the answer.... a player should be able to make it 90 mins, allowances in second half lead to players having worked very hard get subbed or had a knock which wont wear off , getting spun over by an opponent havinng a good game ... or back from injury/layoff / etc and getting tired ... Half time as tactical or due to any of above .
Players coming back from injury are often not ready to play 90 minutes, often playing 20-30 mins is a route back to full fitness
Yes, rather that than be put on and then taken off again, which could happen!! I never believe in, bringing on an unfit player... If he's a really good player for us, I'd much rather start him and see how it goes, using best available 11 than take a chance getting him on later not knowing how long he will last...surely that's common sense!
What I should have written; If I were the manager, 1st......if any player was unfit or had a niggle, then he wouldn't be on the bench in the first place. 2nd. If I did have a player that was coming back from an injury and seemed fit enough to play a part in a game, I would start him, especially if he was one of my top players i.e one of my best 11. 3rd. I would field, from the start what I would consider if fit, my best 11 players for that particular game, again, especially if the whole team was struggling to find form. The exception would be, if my team was overall, doing consistently well, several games unbeaten without that top player, then bring him on for the last 20 mins if we had a comfortable lead, just to get minutes under his belt.... 4th. I would not want to throw on a player that's just come back from injury to chase a game if we were losing. I would rather make that call for him to come off if I thought he was tiring.. Maybe explanation still not great, but you get the gist!!
Exactly, That was my point, in answer to one4’s statement that if players aren’t fit enough to play 90 mins they shouldn’t be on the bench, I pointed out some may not be fit enough play 90mins, but could come on for 20-30 mins as an impact sub at the end and build up their fitness.
Not common sense no, it’s daft. Often players coming back from injury will be bought on with 30 mins or so go, it’s a sensible way when the opposition are tiring to give them minutes to be an impact sub whilst allowing them to gain match fitness, it would be daft to start them and bring them off after 30 mins.
