Bristol City players blasted by Nigel Pearson as he issues warning that players could be playing for futures

Bristol City players were criticised by Nigel Pearson for the manner of the goals they conceded against Swansea
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Bristol City players were blasted by head coach Nigel Pearson after they let slip of their one goal lead in the 3-1 defeat to Swansea City.

Andreas Weimann put the Robins ahead in the first-half but an all too recurring theme of letting slip of a lead saw them come away empty handed from South Wales as their winless run on the road was extended to ten matches.

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Michael Obafemi struck early in the second-half after being found at the far-post before City conceded a calamitous second goal after right-back Cyrus Christie was unmarked. Dutch striker Joel Piroe compiled the misery in stoppage time as he broke through on the counter-attack to consign Pearson’s side to defeat.

Pearson laid the blame at his defence options who have failed to keep a clean sheet for the 11th game running, adding to the fact that City are the worst team in the Championship when it comes to retaining points from winning positions.

He even questioned whether the current batch of players could potentially risk him losing his job given City’s poor run of form that has seen them muster up four points from a possible 15.

“Not unlucky when you defend like that, get what you deserve,” was his blunt but honest assessment of the game as he refused to take a seat through the duration of the exchange between himself and the media.

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“All three goals were poor, individuals, flimsy defending. You can’t give players desire. So we might have to make changes.

“People like me lose my job through results. What I’m not having is players who pop up. We’ve been in a winning position. They’ve had loads of possession. We’ve had nine attempts in the first half, probably five or six in the second as an away side. Get in front and concede three c*** goals.”

With Middlesbrough up next at Ashton Gate on Saturday, changes are likely to be made after today’s below-par performance, most likely in the defensive department.

There was a warning issued to the current batch of players that they might be playing for their futures for the remainder of the season with Pearson evidently seething in the manner of the performance.

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Andreas Weimann and Antoine Semenyo played well and the pair combined for City’s only goal of the day with Pearson’s irk at those not in the midfield or forward line.

“We’re good forward but we might have to make changes,” said Pearson.

“It’s not gonna be the forwards or the midfield players. Formation? You can’t give players desire. It doesn’t matter what formation you play.

“We did it well for quite a long time today. Three goals that people made mistakes where they should have done better. You can write what you want about it. If I was player in there now I would be kicking off.

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“We might have to make changes. Maybe we’ve got players in our squad at the moment who basically between now and the end of the season will see if they are good enough to be here whether I’m the manager or anyone else.

“This football club has had too long of putting up with players going through the motions at times. I’m not having it. 

“I’m not protecting players on a day like today when we should get something out of the game at least. Congratulations to them.”

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