Nigel Pearson reveals managerial pressures and points out Bristol City’s lack of depth

Nigel Pearson insists he is not worried about the growing pressure on him following Bristol City’s 3-1 defeat to Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.

The surprise loss to the Imps was the Robins’ most recent blunder following a poor run of form over the last two months. Pearson’s side have lost eight of their last 13 in all competitions and sit in 20^th place in the EFL Championship– just three points above the relegation zone.

When asked after Tuesday’s match if Pearson himself was feeling under pressure, he responded: “Me?! There’s pressure all the time, of course there is. But if you’re asking me if I worry about it, of course I don’t, no. The pressure that comes with being a manager of a football club is constant.”

Eight of the 24 Championship teams have changed their manager so far this season, with over half of the campaign to go.

Pearson continued: “Does a poor evening against a side from a lower league where you get beaten 3-1 at home, does that swing it one way or the other? I don’t worry about things like that. We are where we are because of what we are having to do, and that is change the squad. We don’t have the depth so it’s obvious.”

Pearson made eight changes for their tie in midweek, goalkeeper Stefan Bajic made his debut and Joe Low earned his first start for the club, but it was a night to forget for both. Lincoln had four shots on Bajic’s goal and scored three goals, while Low was hooked at half-time. The Robins’ lacklustre performance was met with boos at both the half-time and full-time whistle.

The squad that Pearson is working with is shallow when it comes to numbers, and the manager hasn’t been helped by a plethora of injury troubles of late.

It has long been known that the Robins’ defensive vulnerability is what is holding them back from achieving greater things, they’ve conceded 29 goals in 20 league matches this term, the fourth worst record in the division.

Pearson admitted that reinforcements at the back are a priority but wasn’t bullish when asked whether it would be possible to add to the backline in January.

He said: “I’ve got no idea. It’s probably not possible but I think it’s a situation which is costing us at the minute because when we’re scoring goals, we’ve got a chance, but we continue to leak poor goals.”

The Robins host Watford at Ashton Gate on Saturday in what will be their final match before the World Cup break, and Pearson will be hoping for a positive performance and result.