‘Testament’: What Nigel Pearson said about Bristol City thrashing of West Brom

Nigel Peason was pleased with the response of his Bristol City squad after they claimed a 3-0 win over West Brom in the FA Cup, despite the sale of two key players this week.

Antoine Semenyo and club captain Dan Bentley departed for the Premier League with Bentley joining Wolves and Semenyo making the move to Bournemouth. Bentley would have been unlikely to play with Max O'Leary the firm choice for the goalkeeper spot, but Semenyo would have likely played if his move to the Vitality Stadium did not go through.

Semenyo's departure left a gap in the Robins attack and Sam Bell stepped up to the plate with a sublime performance, scoring two in front of the Ashton Gate crowd. Bell delivered a man-of-the-match display, taking two of his goals well, filling in on the left-hand side.

Alex Scott was also on the mark and scored his first goal of the campaign, after going more than half a season without finding the back of the net. Scott has already created more goals than he did in his breakout season, and now a goal no longer alludes him, whilst he also could have registered another assist.

"It felt a difficult start to the game," began Pearson in his assessment of his sides convincing victory. "We had to work hard throughout the whole game with discipline to deal with their shape and how they play.

"I thought we looked dangerous all game and the most important thing is to win the game but to win it in the fashion that we did is testament to how the players have dealt with the week.

"We have lost two big players this week and we'll work hard to bring replacements in, but I think the players just showed even though we have a young squad mainly, we've got a lot of talent in there, it was a really disciplined but quality performance. Our counter-attacking play was really good, I thought we looked dangerous throughout the whole game.

“The last time we played them it was a difficult day for us. We're two top players light squad wise, both Dan and Antoine have left the club for the Premier League and good for them. It just shows you it's trying to maximise what you have, we know we have to do some work to try and strengthen the group as much as anything.

“We know we've got really good talent in the building, the problem with youngsters is you have get inconsistencies. I'm afraid it's a part of how you deal with it, it is life, but I'd rather us be producing those players.”