Nigel Pearson delivered a number of pointed remarks the way of the Bristol City hierarchy as the Robins’ 1-0 victory over Coventry City seemed to send a message on his part after he admitted the last two weeks over the international break have been an “irritation” for him with his position as manager being placed under threat.
Rob Dickie’s header just before the break secured the three points for City after they had been second-best throughout the first 45 minutes as a switch to a 3-5-2 failed to bear fruit, with the Sky Blues hitting the crossbar chance and dominating possession and any penalty box pressure.
With Kal Naismith and Joe Williams ruled out with calf injuries, and Jason Knight unable to start due to illness, the Irishman was introduced on 39 minutes at the expense of Haydon Roberts, making his full league debut, and the change to a more recognisable 4-2-3-1 changed the dynamic of the game.
It was their second win in their last five matches and after the disappointment of the 3-2 loss to Stoke in their previous home match, put the team back on track in terms of the league table with City up to eighth.
A defiant Pearson wouldn’t go into specifics but with his contract expiring at the end of the season and no indication the Lansdowns plan to extend it, Pearson indicated his job could be under threat with a poor result in midweek against Ipswich Town.
“All I’m trying to do here, along with my staff and us as a whole football operation, is to make our football club more competitive and whether that means we’re a good footballing side, or it means we can scrap against people or, when the chips are down, as it has been for the last two weeks, that we can come out on top in a tight game,” Pearson said. “As far as I’m concerned it’s just a good afternoon for us to come away with three points.
