Nigel Pearson left with tough decision in what's been a position of weakness for Bristol City Kalas' return to fitness and Kal Naismith's impending comeback means City will have five central defenders vying for a start please log in to view this image The majority of Bristol City's summer transfer speculation resorted around whether Nigel Pearson would have the funds to bring in a new central defender. He addressed last season's glaring issue of a lack of a right wing-back by bringing in Mark Sykes for his versatility and Kane Wilson for his undoubted potential. With George Tanner also in tow, it was a position that he could brush his hands with and turn his focus elsewhere. Kal Naismith arrived through the door and his position in the side soon became clear after being pencilled in that central defensive role. But it still wasn't enough for the manager who continued browsing the market. "A right-sided defender who can defend" was Pearson's requisite in the summer as Zak Vyner's stock took another hefty blow following a season that inevitably looked to be his last in City colours. Although the manager was dealing with a domino effect in regard to transfers. He made it clear one or two players would have to leave before any new faces came through the door. Thankfully, City kept hold of their star assets in Antoine Semenyo and Alex Scott but it also meant Pearson would have to deal with the cards he had been left with in defence. It became clear during pre-season of the three central defenders Pearson was ready to start the campaign with and that was confirmed on the opening day at Hull City. With Tomas Kalas out injured, Robbie Cundy heading to Barnsley and Timm Klose struggling for form over the summer, Vyner was handed his unlikely shot at redemption. Naismith, fresh from winning Luton's Player of the Year, lined up in the middle with Rob Atkinson to his left wasting little time in continuing his form from the tail end of last season. And that's how the starting line-up remained in the league up until 11 days ago when City made that trip to Birmingham. Naismith's calf injury meant Andy King was trusted from the start following his confident cameo in the contest prior but it was a difficult day at the office as the hosts compounded misery on City's backline with a barrage of aerial attacks. please log in to view this image That experiment ended in the following game against Preston when Klose came in for his first league start. He slotted right back into the heart of defence like a duck to water, earning the plaudits for his calmness, experience and authority. Pearson's initial diagnosis of 10 days for Naismith's injury may have been a little optimistic having missed the last four matches but his loss has been Klose's gain who has enjoyed a resurgence after penning a one-year extension over the summer. It's also coincided with the welcome return of Kalas after seven months out with groin and knee issues. Two brief substitute appearances in the last two matches mean City could head to Reading at the weekend with five viable options in the back three for the first time this season. It was only 15 days ago when Pearson was unable to select a recognised central defender on the bench. So that then raises the obvious question and that is what's the plan going forward? As Pearson has ruthlessly shown, no one's position is safe as Dan Bentley found out the hard way. That being said, there's little chance Atkinson is going to lose his place anytime soon having remained one of the most consistent performers. That leaves Klose, Kalas, Vyner and Naismith effectively battling for two places. However, it's pretty clear Klose's lack of pace means he's not fancied on the right while you can confidently rule out a left-footed Naismith from that position also. So then we have either one of Kalas or Vyner on the right and one of Naismith or Klose in the middle. As Pearson would say, it's nice to have options but there's bound to be one or two disappointed names between now and the World Cup break on November 12. City's defence this season has resembled Jeykll and Hyde at times. Birmingham away was a shocking day at the office all around while City have also conceded the most Championship goals on their travels. On the other hand, they've just kept their sixth clean sheet of the season which, for anybody who watched City defend at times last season, will know it's signs of vast improvement. Naismith's first few months at City have almost mirrored the defence's performances on the whole. A number of high-profile mistakes have been well documented but so has his ability to get City playing from the back, his leadership qualities and his priceless ability to swing in a dead-ball have proven to be a real weapon. please log in to view this image He was only missing for one full game against Queens Park Rangers which ended in defeat when people, including us, started taking note of City's limitations when he's not in the team. That opinion may have wavered a little with Klose's performances since coming back into the frame. Kalas' return to action was a mixed bag and he was at fault for Millwall's winner when he clambered above Max O'Leary after avoiding the keeper's shout. But you can excuse him for being perhaps too eager to make up for lost time. It would have been fair to assume that once Kalas was ready to start, he would come into the team in replace of Vyner because he has the pace and mobility to cover that side. But such is Vyner's form and resurgence in the side, it would be incredibly harsh to leave him out. For the first time in a long time, Vyner is playing with a swagger and new-found confidence which was epitomised by that performance against West Brom on Tuesday. He's cut out the mistakes which hampered him severely and continues to slowly turn the tide of opinion regarding his reliability at the back. Coming off the back of that defensive showing at The Hawthorns, you wouldn't bet against Pearson choosing the same defensive trio against Reading but there's little room for error with big names and personalities waiting in the wings and for once, a welcome selection dilemma in defence. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport...ristol-city-pearson-decision-position-7723830
All defenders fully fit should bring a drastic improvement to our performances and of course results, Nige will have to get his selections and tactics spot on, it's all on him now.
I assume Vyner will be one that makes way. It will be interesting to see who gets the RCB slot and how they do, Sure Vyner has made some errors, they all have, but our right-hand side is always very exposed due to Sykes bombing forward so often. I wonder if NP had a word with him at HT against WBA as in the first half he was caught out of position going forward far too often, but far less so in the 2nd half.
I just wish we had full backs as I'd love to see Williams, James, Scott with Naismith (in Tins old position) in a 4man midfield. As it is my back 3 would be Kalas, Naismith and Atkinson.
I think that back 3 is pretty much everyone's first choice. Who plays RCB though? For me it has to be Kalas as Naismith is far too left foot dependent to play on the right, and Atkinson doesn't have the pace to cover when Sykes bombs forward, so he has to stay in the centre of the 3 for me.
I would like to see NP try this midfield in the cup game against Lincoln in the Carabo Cup to see if it works. DaSilva or Pring at LB, and it would probably have to be Tanner at RB.
Fair suggestion. The midfield I suggested would work. Trouble for me is DaSilva is too small, oppositiin teams will always knock it to the back post. I think Pring may be a better LB option.
True, I saw it on Tuesday night, Jay just can't compete physically. That said, as a dedicated LB his pace is a good asset if he only has to concentrate on defence.
