City manager not thinking of transfers

NIGEL Pearson has reiterated his belief that Bristol City will not add to their squad before next week’s transfer deadline, writes Gregor MacGregor.

Ahead of today’s Severnside derby against Cardiff, the Robins manager again poured cold water on hopes that the club would bolster their ranks.

There was, however, a hint that the loan market may yet come into play with Premier League clubs still assessing their own business and how that impacts their squads, before releasing players elsewhere.

“No (I’m not expecting any new arrivals). I’m not really too worried about that, regardless of what other people talk about in this window,” said Pearson.

“If something happens late, it happens, but as it stands at the moment there’s no intention to add, unless we bring a loan in, in one or two different positions that we’ve looked at. But I’m not going to force the issue.

“I’m not going to bring people in for the sake of it. We either get the people that we’re trying to bring in or we go with what we’ve got. It’s fairly straightforward in my head. I’m not a believer in collecting players.”

If City do look to loan in a player, then the Robins may yet benefit from the late decisions being made elsewhere.

Premier League clubs are expected to make more players available in the last few days of the window as the top tier clubs bring in their own new recruits.

Watford striker Troy Deeney was one player being reported as on the market for Championship sides, with the possibility of a move to the second tier for young starlet Liam Delap being revived, should Manchester City allow it.

Pearson added: “I can understand other people’s perspectives when they’re looking at outgoings and incomings, but I would like the opportunity to build a squad of players which will achieve success, but also some sort of sustainability.

“That’s a bit more in keeping with what we’ve done so far.”

Turning his attention to the Cardiff clash, Pearson added: “We know to expect a tough game, but Mick McCarthy (Cardiff manager) will know we have our threats too.

“It should be competitive, and you always expect these types of games to be a tough, physical battle. What’s important is that we are still able to play our own way too and we have some good footballers, good technicians. It’s important we don’t try to beat them at their own game.”