‘Pleased’ - Nigel Pearson’s verdict after ‘full-throttle’ Bristol City held by Watford

Nigel Pearson insisted he ‘couldn’t ask for more’ from his Bristol City players following their 0-0 stalemate at home against Watford on Saturday.

The Robins dominated proceedings and went close through Tommy Conway and Andi Weimann, in what was a much-improved performance from their midweek defeat to Lincoln City.

City limited their opponents to one shot on the day, but lacked end product in front of goal and had to settle for a draw in their final game before the World Cup break.

Pearson said: “We’ve played as well as we could, we worked the goalkeeper, he’s made a couple of really good saves. We could’ve done with getting three points but I couldn’t ask for more than that. That’s what I expect from the players, a game that’s full-throttle and when we need to show commitment we do it.”

His selection in defence raised a few eyebrows before the match, as Andy King was prefered as the central centre-back, over substitute on the day Rob Atkinson, and Timm Klose who didn't make the matchday squad.

Pearson, though, made the correct call, and King was a standout performer up against Keinan Davis. “I thought Andy King was brilliant in there today, and he's not even a centre-back, so you make of that what you will,” he said. “I'm not bothered. We needed to play today with a drive to try and win the game against a good side who were in the Premier League last year.”

City could’ve dropped into the relegation places if results hadn’t gone their way, but the draw moved them up to 18th, albeit leavinf them just a point above the drop zone.

When asked whether he had mixed emotions following the goalless draw, Pearson replied: “I’ve got no mixed emotions, I think we played very well and we deserved to win but we didn’t and I’m satisfied with how the players approached it, especially after Tuesday because we let ourselves down, but today we were very very good. I’m sure they’ll be pleased with a point today.”