GIVE NIGEL LICENSE TO DO THINGS HIS WAY...

IT’S too early to judge how new boss Nigel Pearson will fare in the Bristol City hotseat, though there have been some encouraging initial signs.

For starters, they put in an excellent 30 minutes in the first half against Bournemouth in midweek. They were a real threat to the Cherries’ back line.

They set up quite defensively, as they did against Swansea, this time in a 4-5-1 with Nahki Wells on the left wing.

They hoped to frustrate then counter-attack. However, barring Kasey Palmer, they didn’t really have the pace to trouble the visitors who had clearly done their homework.

For example, little details such as goal kicks. City aimed for Famara Diedhiou to win the flick on, but Woodgate sat midfielder Jefferson Lerma in front of him.

This allowed Lerma to either win the first ball or put Diedhiou off whilst the rest of the back line just dropped off.

It’s hard to know where City will end up under Pearson. This weekend he took charge of his 500th game as a manager so the Robins have flitted from one extreme in the inexperienced Dean Holden to the other in their managerial search.

What is interesting is that Pearson has retained the same support staff Holden had. Whether this is by choice or not I don’t know, although what I would say is that, judging by the bench in midweek, each member is fully engaged in the outcome.

At times, Paul Simpson was at the front of the technical area providing instruction and Pearson took a backseat. Keith Downing did, too, so it’s clear Pearson is happy in his own skin and has the confidence and authority to lead.

He isn’t distant with his players either, as some may feel, but he does tend to stand with his arms crossed an awful lot, in a defiant manner. However, he reserved a huge hug for Palmer as he came off.

Although injuries affected Holden, it appears Pearson may have the gravitas that chief executive Mark Ashton craves.

I do think at times CEOs need a strong manager. Ashton is very public and vocal, with a huge say in what happens at Ashton Gate. Like a lot of CEOs at football clubs, he often escapes unscathed when things go wrong.

However, the huge player sales and revenues brought in previously to swell the coffers whilst expecting success added to mixed messages under Lee Johnson and Dean Holden. To those within football, it’s typical of a CEO who likes to be visible.

I feel some managers, and I believe Pearson is one, would like their CEOs to be more invisible.

Just look at how quiet the West Ham hierarchy are now David Moyes is managing the football club his way to the clear benefit of all.

It may serve City well if Ashton did the same and let Pearson, left, manage the football club as he sees

fit.