‘Irritant’ – Nigel Pearson explains why Bristol City are yet to make any transfers

Nigel Pearson has expressed his frustration that Bristol City are yet to make any signings in the January transfer window.

The Robins’ lack of funds always meant that the window would likely be a quiet one, but the manager has spoken on more than one occasion in the past on his desire to make additions in defence.

City have let Ryley Towler leave for Portsmouth and sent Joe Low on loan to Walsall, but more outgoings will likely be required if the Robins are to recruit before the window shuts.

Pearson has hinted that swap deals may be an option, and despite not being a fan of the loan market, has also admitted he is open to that method.

“It (incomings) could happen late in the window, which is a bit of an irritatant really,” he said. “We’re already two weeks in so that is two weeks we could have had players available. We’re realistic about our own circumstances, and there is no point going on too much about it.

“It’s frustrating, we would like to develop the squad further but at the moment we’re in a position where we have to be patient in those regards and get the best out of the players we currently have.”

One positive to come out of City’s lack of transfer funds is that several youngsters have been given opportunities over recent years.

Two players that have grasped their opportunities with both hands are Alex Scott and Tommy Conway.

Scott has been one of City’s top performers over the last 18 months, and such performance level has attracted interest from several Premier League clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Conway came through the ranks more recently and burst onto the scene at the start of the season. The Taunton-born striker is the Robins’ top scorer this campaign with nine goals.

Antoine Semenyo is another who has bided his time at the club and is now a vital part of the forward line.

Pearson continued: “We’ve had a number of young players break into the side over the last season-and-a-half and they’ve done particularly well. It’s been needed.

“It’s good for us in that sense and the club is in a healthy position and the squad has value now, which is another real positive.”

The market value of Scott and Semenyo likely exceeds the £30million mark, money that would help City tenfold.

Pearson has stressed on numerous occasions his desire to keep the club’s best players but acknowledged that the players themselves could seek a move to the topflight and that he only wants players who want to play for the club.

The manager recognized City fan’s frustrations at a lack of incomings, but pondered that the clubs ongoing methods to reduce the wage bill could prove worth it in the summer.

“It doesn’t address people’s desires to move the squad forward quicker by making changes. The summer will hopefully be a watershed moment in those sorts of terms.

“Fans get a bit tired of us asking and me asking them to be patient, but it’s what we have to do at the moment. We’ll endeavour to do what we can in the short term.”