‘Be more enthusiastic... Work harder...’ - Nigel Pearson’s blunt message to out of favour Bristol City man

Nigel Pearson has delivered a stern message to Bristol City defender Rob Atkinson following his admittance from the matchday squad in Saturday’s home defeat to Stoke City.

Despite travelling on the team bus with the rest of his teammates, Atkinson wasn’t named in the 18-man squad for the Robins’ 2-1 defeat.

Instead, 34-year-old central midfielder Andy King was selected to play in the back three, alongside Kal Naismith and Zak Vyner, and there was no recognized centre-back among the substitutes.

Jay Dasilva and Vyner missed last weekend’s win against Rotherham United through illness, and it was possible that that was part of the reason for Atkinson’s exclusion, but Pearson put that theory to bed and stated what the ex-Fulham man must do to get back into the fray.

“He needs to be more enthusiastic and work harder,” he said. “It’s pretty normal isn’t it for any player? For any player that doesn’t make the bench, we either do it tactically but there are players ahead of him. He’s not ill.”

Makeshift centre-back King had a far-from-assured 90 minutes on the day and was at fault for both of the Potters’ goals.

Prior to Saturday’s defeat, King had looked reliable playing out of position. When selected there, he has provided much-needed experience and calmness.

When the veteran occupies the central role, it allows Naismith to operate on the left of the three, which gives him greater license to play progressive passes forward, as displayed against the Millers.

However, when asked whether Atkinson’s non-involvement was strategic, Pearson replied: “He wasn’t in the side today. No, it was nothing to do with tactical. Other players are ahead of him.”

Atkinson had been one of City’s most consistent performers earlier this season, but it appears his attitude has seen him slip down the pecking order at the club.

George Tanner was selected over the 24-year-old last weekend, and Cameron Pring has also featured as part of the back three at times.

While the 59-year-old evidently is not impressed with what he is seeing from Atkinson, the Robins continue to leak goals and hover dangerously above the relegation zone.

With just one clean sheet in their last 12 matches, City’s problem area is clear to see, and they may need to seek defensive reinforcements in the January transfer window.