City must turn the corner – Pearson

Robins boss urges his players to build momentum after ending winless home run

NIGEL Pearson admitted relief was his overriding emotion after his Bristol City side finally won a home game following 17 unsuccessful attempts.

The victory also represented a first home triumph for Pearson as Robins manager – having taken on the job as far back as February.

Aaron Leya Iseka had given lowly Barnsley the lead, but two goals from Andi Weimann shortly before halftime turned things around.

City, however, have made a habit of capitulating late on, but Barnsley were unable to snatch a late leveller, and the home supporters were able to finally celebrate at Ashton Gate.

Asked for his immediate thoughts at full-time, Pearson said: “Relief. We weren’t good today, we didn’t play very well, and when you play against a side that’s near the bottom and asks a lot of questions of us, I’m sure they came here knowing that under pressure we could crack.

“We’ve played much better here and lost games and drawn games, and there isn’t a lot of difference.

“It’s an illustration of the fragility of the mental state in terms of what anxiety does. I was as nervous as everybody else I suppose, but it was great for the fans. I thought they were excellent in terms of turning the noise up to support the team and the players really recognised that and so did we as staff.

“It’s about the players and the fans and the relationship between them is vital so now that we’ve got rid of that ridiculously unfathomable run of results here we’ve got to now turn the corner.

“Today was about the result, the performance was secondary.”