James: Pearson and City’s ambition were big factors in my move
MATTY James is enjoying West Country life. His first visit to Bristol City and the Robins High Performance Centre was on the day he signed for his new club - and he likes what he has seen in his first few weeks at the club.
James admits that the manager Nigel Pearson, his former Leicester boss, was a large pull in coming to the South West.
“Last seson was a season that I needed on a personal note,” he said. “The two teams I played for (Barnsley and Coventry) are both good teams and both had very good seasons in different ways.”
“There was interest from other clubs but with Nigel and the experience he’s got, and the relationship we had in those few years at Leicester, it’s something I couldn’t ignore.
“One of the key factors was the club as well; Nigel was a factor but also the club and their ambition and the strides they hopefully want to make for me at 29 that I still want.”
James joined Leicester in 2012, when Pearson recruited him during his second spell with the Foxes.
So James is well placed to comment on what Pearson is like inside the club, away from the media glare, and whether the manager is as stern as he sometimes comes across.
“For him, the perception of what people think of him wouldn’t bother him,” said James. “He’s a strong character and he knows what he’s good at.
“For me, he has got a softer and gentler side, but it’s a professional line. You wouldn’t want to cross it. That’s all I’ll say on that.
“He has got that in his locker, what people think of him, as well, but he’s a family man and he understands that the players who do have families, he’s around for. His door is always open to go and knock on regardless of an issue that you’ve got. He’s very, very good on both sides of the white line.”
City’s new all-action midfielder arrives with fine pedigree, having been around the Foxes when they were promoted to the top tier, managed to stay there and then, incredibly, win the Premier League as a 5,000-1 shot the year after. However, injuries did affect his playing time.
Departing the King Power Stadium was a wrench for James after a nine year spell there.
“It was very, very hard (leaving Leicester).
Leicester is something that I’ll never, ever forget.
The support the fans gave me, the players, the staff, the owners... everbybody at the club, was absolutely amazing. I’ve had a lot of life lessons there, not just football.
“The first few years were pretty good for me and then my injuries hit. Sheer bad luck really. I tried my hardest and gave it everything I had but it was topsy-turvy.
“I’d come back in and something else started. Then it was something that was extremely rare, that not many people have seen in European medicine.
“It was difficult for me and the club as well. The club supported me so much that I was that desperate to give back.
“I think it was bittersweet. I’d have loved to have finished my career there, like maybe Jamie Vardy’s going to do - we signed at the same time - but I coudn’t ignore the fact that it was probably time (to move on). The contract was ending and Leicester had said thanks very much, and I was ready as well.”
So on to new adventures: can Bristol City replicate the success of Leicester City perhaps?
James says it will take time but it’s possible.
“When you try and build a team, it’s important you don’t get too carried away too early,” said James. “It takes time and it’s not going to happen overnight.
“The way the club are trying to do it - in a sensible manner - and with the financial fair play and things like this, you don’t want to do something stupid and be punished for this in a couple of years’ time.
“The way that the club is trying to do it is right and hopefully it gives a better season than last season, which certainly wasn’t great.”