Bristol City told to ‘trust Nige’ as agent breaks silence on under-pressure Nigel Pearson

Nigel Pearson's representative has come to his defence over the job that he has done at Bristol City. The Robins boss has come under pressure as of late with a section of supporters voicing their frustration after the Boxing Day defeat to West Brom.

City lost 2-0 at Ashton Gate with Matt Phillips and Brandon Thomas-Asante on target as their run without a home victory extended to seven matches, suffering five defeats in that period. They have not won a home match since defeating Preston North End 2-1 in mid-October.

Across the last ten matches that Pearson has overseen, City have lost five matches including a Carabao Cup exit to League One outfit Lincoln City, and has won just two matches. City's form has seen them slump to 18th and they are currently above the relegation zone by only two points.

Pearson has been in charge since February 2021, succeeding Dean Holden, who was sacked with the club in 13th-placed. He oversaw an 18th-placed finish and they improved on that last year by finishing a place higher in 17th.

City's target at the start of the campaign was to challenge for a place in the top-half of the table, with eyes on a potential play-off spot. At just past the half-way point of the season, they are five points off of 12th, and eight away from sixth-placed Millwall.

"There's been a lot said about our client Nigel Pearson over recent weeks," began Oporto Sport Management's Dean Eldredge in a post published on his Twitter account. "For balance, I think it's important to emphasise the work he's done at #BristolCity: - considerable wage bill reduction, FFP compliance, promoted a number of academy players, increased squad value.

"Results haven't been what anyone wanted, but apart from WBA, games could have gone either way. Dominated vs Sheffield United, had numerous chances to beat Swansea, Watford and Stoke. This was never going to be an easy period for the club, or for Nigel, but there is progress...”

The 59-year-old has been dealt the task of clearing the decks of the playing staff with several first-team players moved out to lower the wage bill. Callum O'Dowda and Jamie Paterson have been allowed to leave whilst popular figure Famara Diedhiou moved on.

In the summer, City recruited four new players for their senior squad, but no transfer fee was exchanged, except for a small compensation cost for Kane Wilson from Forest Green Rovers. During his tenure, Pearson has signed no loan players, and only paid a fee for two of the ten signings he has made.

Eldredge added: "The combination of the effect of COVID on the transfer market & previous spending has meant the club has had to shop mainly in the free transfer market, whilst remaining competitive. Given his experience & the changes made, I would trust Nige to complete the job he started."