Bristol City have defensive problems as Nigel Pearson reveals new injury at the back

With Fulham hitting Bristol City for six on Saturday, it means that the West Country outfit have now conceded 45 goals in their league campaign to date.

It’s the second worst record in the division. Reading have also conceded 45, with just Posh more generous: 48 goals conceded.

Given that manager Nigel Pearson was himself a central defender it’s an oddity that City are so lacking steel in the heart of their defence.

But it won’t be every matchday that they face teams of the calibre of top-of-the-table Fulham, who started the game with, of course, a huge financial advantage and accompanying talented playing squad.

Their strength in depth was illustrated when former Bristol City player of the year Bobby De Cordova-Reid came off the bench for the final 20 minutes and Joe Bryan did not even feature in the squad.

The clinical Cottagers have now scored a whopping 20 goals more than Blackburn who have netted the second most goals in the division (64 to 44). It’s some record.

And though Aleksandar Mitrovic made it 27 goals in 24 Championship games, the Robins will not have to keep out the likes of the 69-cap Serb every week.

Indeed, the 27-year-old now has four goals in three games against Bristol City this season. Pearson and co have not found a way to thwart the master marksman in 230 minutes of playing time. Maybe two goalkeepers next time, recalling Dan Bentley?

As for City they can’t stop the ball going in their own net and until they can right this, it’s highly unlikely the Ashton Gate side will progress.

Pearson explained after the game that he was frustrated with the way his team dealt with set-pieces, an area of the game that was a real weakness in 2020/21, when City conceded more set-piece goals than any other side.

This latest loss to Fulham? It recalled the last time the Robins let six in: at Watford last February, as an on-form promotion contender also demonstrated the difference between the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’.

That game precipitated the beginning of the end for previous head coach Dean Holden.

On that occasion outstanding wide players Ismaila Sarr and Ken Sema ripped apart the Robins in a dismal first half for the visitors to Hertfordshire, so much that the tattered Taylor Moore and Ryley Towler were withdrawn at the break and Steve Lansdown felt the need to publicly back Holden just a few days later.

Defensive options

And so with an important Severnside Derby coming next, and the pressure on to get a result after four losses in the last five matches, Pearson must make sure these experiences are not repeated. In particular, he must make his team more stubborn.

Thankfully City have picked up good results along the way this season, to stop any calamitous and damaging sustained runs of defeats. Another positive display is needed soon.

Options in defence are stretched, however, not aiding that.

Zak Vyner, Tomas Kalas and Cam Pring were not at their best on Saturday and the Jay Dasilva experiment on the right flank did not go well.

After Rob Atkinson impressed against Fulham the week before, had he been close to starting this game, following praise from Pearson in midweek?

“I think Zak [Vyner] has been our outstanding centre-back in recent weeks, so not that close [to selection], no,” said Pearson following the 6-2 loss to BristolWorld on the matter.

The manager has said previously that he does not feel that the former Oxford United man is fully 100 per cent after an illness earlier in the campaign.

Pearson also revealed another injury at the back, as he answered our question on whether Ryley Towler may be used again.

“He’s got a back problem that we’re protecting,” Pearson told BristolWorld.

“He had a problem when he was much younger and it’s important that we protect that at the moment, so that’s the reason he’s out at the moment.”

With Nathan Baker and George Tanner not expected back any time soon, and screening midfielder Matty James missing on Saturday with a continuing foot niggle, City may need to find fresh solutions for the weekend.

Danny Simpson has not been seen for some time and manager Pearson explained that he remains ‘open-minded’ on any role that the returning Robbie Cundy may play after 75 minutes for the U23s last week.

“As it stands” Taylor Moore will not be recalled from Hearts.

Sometimes a fiery derby is just what’s needed to focus the minds.