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Nigel Pearson Aiming to Streamline Bristol City Squad

Discussion in 'Bristol City' started by wizered, May 4, 2021.

  1. wizered

    wizered Ol' Mucker
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    Nigel Pearson aiming to streamline Bristol City squad as he discusses out-of-contract players
    Robins manager also says that the West Country men will continue to trade players in and out to make it to the top.

    Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson has explained that he wants to work with a smaller squad next season.

    The Robins have 13 players out of contract in the summer and Pearson knows who he wants to retain, but has yet to inform the players of his decisions. The 57-year-old former Leicester City boss has already confirmed that he will not be changing his coaches but the playing squad is another matter, as he looks for 'hungry recruits and streetwise experienced players' too.

    City have used a total of 38 different players this campaign, including many youngsters with eight debuts handed out (a positive from a disappointing campaign otherwise: Sam Pearson, Sam Bell, Ryley Towler, James Morton, Owura Edwards, Tommy Conway, Saikou Janneh, Alex Scott.)

    Pearson detailed what he hopes to achieve this season however, in a radio interview with Geoff Twentyman on Monday evening on the weekly Sound of the City programme.

    "There will be departures this summer, absolutely, and there will be additions," said Pearson to BBC Radio Bristol.

    "If seven or eight go then it doesn't mean that seven or eight will come in. I would prefer to work with a more robust, smaller squad to make sure competition is very keen amongst the players.

    "We've got to negotiate the current situation that we're in: that is we have a lot of players who are unavailable," explained the manager.

    Pearson added that he hopes to keep his best players at the club, but that on occasion players may be sold at times where it made sense to 'facilitates you to do other business'.

    The Robins will look to continue trading their way to the top then, such as happened when Josh Brownhill left in January 2020, with Nahki Wells, Filip Benkovic and Marcus Henriksen.

    "Let's be honest, if I've not told players in private then I'm not going to go public," said Pearson when asked about the players out of contract this summer.

    "That's the first thing. Because of the circumstances now it's very hard to make those decisions now. We had a number of players play at the weekend who are out of contract who are playing for contracts.

    "It's not as straighforward as it normally would be. All I'd say is that I never make decisions lightly but I know the direction we want to go in.

    "This summer is an opportunity for us to at least shape the squad and get it moving in the right direction. But you can never have designs on getting three or four players and get them signing for you. It doesn't work like that. There'll be strong competition out there.

    "Fortunately for us we're a very soundly run business. Although we won't be competing financially with some clubs, I'm a big believer in not breaking the bank to get one player in.

    "I would rather have a realistic competition within our squad of players where there is at least some equality. They're not all going to be on the same money but it's important that we all have a squad of players who are in the same sort of area earning-wise.

    "We're not going to go out there and break the bank to bring marquee players in. That's not what this club needs. This club needs at the moment to build the side in a sound way," he explained.

    Pearson says he wants to see his side play 'winning football' rather than any particular style, but explained that he preferred to see 'a dynamic team who can play in different formations' with fast attacking football where possible, using quick and aggressive players.

    He also said he wanted a more collaborative and positive environment at the club to help achieve success.

    Bristol City play Brentford in their final Championship game of the season, kicking off at an earlier 12.30pm on Saturday afternoon.
    https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport...gel-pearson-aiming-streamline-bristol-5375154
     
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  2. wizered

    wizered Ol' Mucker
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    "If seven or eight go then it doesn't mean that seven or eight will come in.", If 8 go that still leaves 5, I wonder if Walsh and Fammy are still in the reckoning plus 4 or 5 to join us.
     
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  3. Supcon72

    Supcon72 Well-Known Member

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    If we don’t fix the issues surrounding why we have so many injuries, can he afford a smaller squad? We couldn’t have this season, we played kids galore as it was to get through.
     
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    Last edited: May 6, 2021
  4. RedorDead

    RedorDead Well-Known Member

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    He wants a smaller squad.
    If he keeps Fammy, then he’s been watching a different game to me these past two months.
     
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  5. realred1952

    realred1952 Well-Known Member

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    it may not be he is saying 7 or 8 of the OOC players go might be a couple in contract that he feels are not worthy or …. selling one or 2 in contract to raise a little dosh!
     
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  6. AshtonRed

    AshtonRed Well-Known Member

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    Or he just used 8 as an example. He was just saying he wants a smaller squad and more will leave than will come in.
     
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  7. bcfcredandwhite

    bcfcredandwhite Well-Known Member

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    Let's hope we strengthen in the areas we've been lacking since Brownhill was sold.
     
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  8. AshtonRed

    AshtonRed Well-Known Member

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    IMO we need a dominant CB, at least one hard tacking midfielder and a couple of wingbacks/fullbacks. I’m not convinced about Desilva , he’s too small. We need to get rid of and replace Fam and either Wells has to up his game or he needs to be replaced too. I’m aware that will be more difficult as he’s in contract, but he’s not been up to standard, apart from a few exceptions , since he arrived.
     
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