Bristol City boss moves to temper fan expectations ahead of January transfer window

The Robins currently lie 18th in the Championship table, and while currently relatively safe from a relegation battle, the side's leaky defence remains a serious weakness, and has seen them register the third highest number of goals conceded in the second tier so far this season.

The continued absence of star defender Nathan Baker is a further concern for the Robins, and speculation continues over whether the club will look to bring in reinforcements to bolster their back line in the new year.

Speaking to the press ahead of his side's Boxing Day clash away to Luton Town, Pearson offered some insight into the club's strategy for the transfer window, and said: “In terms of recruitment, recruitment is always about having a plan which is in place and there needs to be flexibility in terms of how that works.

“You’ll be aware of the financial situation that football is in (amid the Covid-19 pandemic) and we are not aloof from that situation. I’ve said many times before that January is not the best window to operate in.

“That’s not to say I’m ruling anything in or out. It will depend on circumstances, but that doesn’t mean we’re not planning ahead. We have meetings every week about it.”

The 58-year-old added: “It’s never a situation where you go ‘Right, money’s available now, we’ll go and do that’.”

Pearson has overseen a major overhaul of the playing staff since he joined the club last February, with 19 players departing Ashton Gate last summer.

Ex-Leicester City midfielder Matty James and promising defender Robert Atkinson were among the players to be signed in the same transfer window.