Nigel Pearson sends a message to his Bristol City squad with Tyreeq Bakinson blast

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Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson had his say on midfielder Tyreeq Bakinson’s departure from BS3 on Thursday afternoon.

The Robins manager, after confirming that a move was afoot, has explained previously that he is not happy to discuss speculation or transfers until they are completed, but he made an exception here.

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Not only that, but 23-year-old Bakinson was singled out for criticism.

“I’m not bothered [that he’s going]. He’s a player who unfortunately just wants to play on his own terms. It’s not something I particularly want so he can go,” explained the former Leceister City manager.

It was perhaps a little unnecessary or harsh on Bakinson, but at the same time refreshingly honest for Bristol City supporters too.

Pearson was firmly laying down the law to the current squad, that they must work hard to get in the team, stay in the team and compete for playing places. The message is clear: if you don’t like it, you can go.

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What might we hear if other players are allowed to leave BS3 in the last 10 days of the window, with the club happy to listen to several senior players not involved in the first team set-up? The likes of Kasey Palmer, Nahki Wells and Jay Dasilva?

Some supporters will welcome this more stick than carrot discourse with the playing squad. But some have also questioned whether it was truly necessary, for a player who might even be back at Ashton Gate in five months’ time, if that option to make the deal permanent is taken up.

Bakinson was on social media on Thursday evening fighting his corner on Instagram, and there was no shortage of complimentary comments from the Bristol City players, past and present.

No doubt Bakinson will still have friends in BS3, and one wonders what they will have made of Pearson’s comments on Thursday. Are players too fragile today? Do they need toughening up?

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Certainly former head coach Lee Johnson thought so, with some ‘methods’ for doing just that, which he believed would lead to a player developing over the longer term.

Bakinson has expressed his desire to play regular football at Ipswich Town. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)Bakinson has expressed his desire to play regular football at Ipswich Town. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Bakinson has expressed his desire to play regular football at Ipswich Town. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

But there is a danger in that, if things do not work out. Key players must be kept onside and even Dan Bentley, Tomas Kalas and others have learned that no-one is above the club.

A fine balance may need to be judged.

On the other hand, are we just too accustomed to dirty linen being washed privately and never hearing plain words? Where the media training undertaken by players washes out a lot of the character.

Ipswich Town have picked up a fine player for League One, who had Championship interest in him too.

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It would be no surprise if Bakinson succeeds in the short term at Portman Road, and League One may be the right level for a player with Championship attributes too, though first-team football may be needed to fully demonstrate those.

Nigel Pearson pays tribute to the fans at Craven Cottage.Nigel Pearson pays tribute to the fans at Craven Cottage.
Nigel Pearson pays tribute to the fans at Craven Cottage.

And for Nigel Pearson too, ultimately results will dictate what happens. The current manager has proven a contrast to the last two head coach appointments, preferring to not use the loan market, retain a larger playing squad and field strong U23s sides.

Though viewed by manfair-minded and principled, he can be seen as brusque too. As Thursday will be seen by some.

Bakinson’s departure does not - it was confirmed by Pearson on Thursday too - open the door for another recruit. A high earner would need to leave first. And City supporters should not get too excited about a new arrival coming in just yet as there is a way to go on that front.

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This Bristol City season is seen as transitional, chapter one of a three-year build, but progress and a certainty of the direction of travel will need to be clear.

And whether everyone is onboard with that will be vital and likely evident in the next years. The “bus” (referenced earlier this season by the City boss) is on the move and Pearson is at the wheel, but Bakinson has been unceremoniously dumped at the station.

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