‘No complaints’ - Nigel Pearson’s honest verdict of Bristol City’s defeat to West Brom

Nigel Pearson insisted that he didn’t feel let down by his players following an under-par performance in their 2-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion on Monday.

Matthew Phillips opened the scoring nine minutes in when he got in behind makeshift right wing-back Andi Weimann and slotted home.

City hit the bar twice in their attempts to equalise but the three points were secured when Brandon Thomas-Asante’s brilliant left-footed lob sailed into the corner of Max O’Leary’s goal 15 minutes from time.

The Robins have now lost five of their last seven matches at Ashton Gate, and sit just two points above the relegation zone.

Pearson was relatively upbeat after the match considering his sides underwhelming performance, he said: “No complaints really because we’ve had opportunities and not taken them. They’re a really good side, I think Carlos is getting the best out of that group of players now, so disappointing for us.

“In the first half, we’ve conceded another poor goal but worked very hard to get back into it.

“I think we finished the first half very well but they dominated in the second half really and because they adopted a defensive shape where they were going to be deep to try and deny the space in behind, it was difficult for us to break them down.”

City didn’t play at any tempo for large parts of the match, and there looked a lack of ideas when in possession. When Pearson was asked if felt that his players let him down with their second-half display in which the Baggies were on top, he replied: “No, not at all. Do you not think that’s because they’re a good side? No I don't feel let down by the players at all... not at all.”

The Robins face a trip to Millwall next, on Thursday, December 29.