Bristol City team news as Nigel Pearson hands deserved start to two-goal hero

Nigel Pearson doesn’t make any wholesale changes as Bristol City chase their first league win
Tommy Conway scored two of Bristol City’s four goals against Coventry City. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)Tommy Conway scored two of Bristol City’s four goals against Coventry City. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Tommy Conway scored two of Bristol City’s four goals against Coventry City. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Nigel Pearson made one change from Bristol City’s last Championship match with Sunderland last week for their clash with Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium.

Academy graduate Tommy Conway following his two-goal show against Coventry City in midweek has been given a deserved start after a sublime performance.

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It is the first time he’s started a league match for the Robins since April 2021 when he played in a defeat to Luton Town.

Conway’s got one Championship goal to his name which came in a defeat to Millwall towards the end of the 2020/21 campaign.

Explaining his decision to start him, Pearson said to Robins TV: “He deserves to have a run out in the league. He did really well against Coventry the other night.

“It is important to freshen it up as well, especially with the quick turnaround. We’ve got a game on Tuesday and we need to utilise the squad as well as possible. We are able to freshen it up without losing impact, so it’s good for us today.”

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Despite shipping five goals in their opening two matches, the starting defence remains the same with Zak Vyner, Kal Naismith and Rob Atkinson as the three central defenders.

Summer signing Mark Sykes continues to keep the more recognised wing-back Kane Wilson out of the side on the right flank.

Jay Dasilva meanwhile holds down the left-hand side, though Cameron Pring is available and on the bench after his outing against Coventry on Wednesday.

In midfield, Joe Williams lines up against his former club and he will be partnered by Alex Scott, who moves into a more deeper role.

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Three-goal Andreas Weimann who has played up front for the first two league matches takes up Scott’s former position and will instead provide service to the front two. Partnering Conway up top is experienced striker Chris Martin in what is an unfamiliar partnership.

Pearson said: “It gives us different options and certainly with Andi playing in that slightly deeper role against Coventry, I think that is his favoured position.

“We will see how they go, it’s important we get something out of the game today, it’s important we win. That is the first thought for us.”

Midfielder Han-Noah Massengo who earned an assist on Tuesday and came in for Matty James last week is completely out of the match-day squad through tonsilitis according to BBC Radio Bristol.

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On the bench for City is Max O’Leary, Wilson, Timm Klose, George Tanner, Pring, Andy King and Nahki Wells.

Bristol City (3-5-2): Dan Bentley, Zak Vyner, Kal Naismith, Rob Atkinson; Mark Sykes, Alex Scott, Joe Williams, Jay Dasilva; Andreas Weimann; Tommy Conway, Chris Martin

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