‘Terrific’ - What Preston’s Ryan Lowe said about Bristol City and Nigel Pearson

Preston North End boss Ryan Lowe believes Nigel Pearson has done a ‘terrific job’ at Bristol City.

Lowe brings his Lilywhites down to Ashton Gate on Saturday to begin the 2023/24 Championship season with both teams outside contenders for a play-off push. In the build-up to the match, Preston have signed Jack Whatmough who was a rumoured target for the Robins earlier in the window.

Preston have also added Mads Frokaer-Jensen, Duane Holmes, Will Keane and Layton Stewart. Bristol City meanwhile will be content with their transfer business following the arrivals of Rob Dickie, Ross McCrorie, Haydon Roberts and Jason Knight, with three of the four potentially making their competitive debut tomorrow.

City are hopeful that they can break into the top-half after a 14th-placed finish, and now Pearson’s two-and-a-half-year job has been recognised by one of his rivals whom will take him his place in the opposition dugout.

Speaking to the Lancashire Evening Post, he said: “Bristol City away is always going to be a difficult start for anyone. Nigel has done a terrific job down there, they’ve got a real identity.

“They’re bringing players through and selling players, but they’re spending money too. I saw Nigel said the other day that it’s going to be a tough old slog this season, and he’s not wrong, but it’s something every club will be relishing.”

Bristol City were unbeaten during their pre-season schedule and scored goals in abundance. They recorded an 8-0 victory over Newport County, and put seven past Swindon Town, whilst also comfortably beating Oxford United, before rounding off their campaign against Portsmouth with a 1-0 win.

In all of their matches they were able to name two separate XI’s, highlighting the depth that is now available at Pearson’s disposal. Friendlies are now out of the way however and those victories count for nothing with only the league and cup competitions mattering.

Lowe added: “They’ve scored a lot of goals in pre-season I know, but anything can happen on the first day of a new Championship season.

“The season isn’t going to be defined by the first game or two of course, but as long as we have that positive mindset on Saturday, we’ll go there full of confidence. This is what we’ve done all the hard miles for in pre-season.”