Nigel Pearson explains triple change reasoning for Bristol City v Wigan

Nigel Pearson has made a triple change for Bristol City’s match against Wigan Athletic on Wednesday night, as Anis Mehmeti and Harry Cornick earn their first starts for the Robins.

Andi Weimann also comes into the frontline against the Latics, as Mark Sykes, Nahki Wells and Sam Bell drop to the bench.

Speaking to the club pre-match, Pearson said: “The wide two have not recovered enough from their very high stats from the weekend, Nahki, it’s a sensible one for him because he’s in his thirties and we want him ready for the weekend.”

Some eyebrows might’ve been raised at Sykes’ absence from the line-up, as the winger has netted five times in his last six appearances. But, the return of new club captain Weimann will provide plenty of quality on the right.

Pearson emphasised the importance of fresh legs in the team. “I don’t want players pacing themselves I want players absolutely flat out so it gives us the opportunity to freshen up,” he said.

“Whoever we would’ve started with tonight, I think there’s a case for the others coming in at some point. Don’t discount the fact that at some point tonight you might be looking at a different front three finising.”

“When Harry went on at the weekend we started pressing, 10, 15, even 20 yards further up the pitch. Anis is someone who is a good ball carrier, he’s a dribbler, he’s good at running with the ball, he can also receive the ball in behind. If they do sit a bit deeper tonight, we’ve got different options.”

Wigan sit in 22nd place in the table and are have the Championship’s worst defence, but back to back clean sheets under new boss Shaun Maloney will have given them a much needed boost.

Pearson continued: “If we’d had gone unchanged i’d be really happy, one change i’d be really happy but even when we make three changes i’m really satisfied that we have a really good team out there that should have enough to win the game if we do things right.”

Bristol City (4-3-3): Max O’Leary, George Tanner, Zak Vyner, Rob Atkinson, Cam Pring, Alex Scott, Matty James, Joe Williams, Andi Weimann, Harry Cornick, Anis Mehmeti