Western Daily Press (Saturday)
City need right personnel for system, says Pearson
BRISTOL City manager Nigel Pearson has hinted he could switch to a back four next term should he sign the prime targets on his transfer shortlist – although he conceded there will not be a massive overhaul to his squad.
Pearson has juggled from a back four to a back three with wing-backs throughout the campaign before settling on the latter in an attempt to solidify the backline.
The manager, who revealed work is being undertaken behind the scenes ahead of the summer, was not prepared to go into detail regarding his targets, but conceded the system could change depending on the players he can bring in. When asked whether he would like to play with a back four next season, Pearson responded: “It depends on the players we have. The reason why we play with a back five or a back three in terms of central defenders has been out of necessity for a lot of the time, but it also suits a blend of players that we have at the moment.
“Whether that changes will be dependant on whether the prime targets we are looking for are achievable. The next question might be who are the prime targets... I know who they are, but whether we can achieve them is another thing.
“For me, it’s always about trying to find the right system for the players that we have. We need a very reliable defence to start with, in terms of athleticism in midfield and have players that are capable of doing a job whether that be in a four or a three. You already know I like playing with a two up top and even though some people put it as a 4-3-3 with a flat three, it’s never been that, it’s two up top with one behind and we’ve had some success with that.
“First things first, we need to try to achieve the targets in the positions that we have set out and we can go from there, but however we play in whatever formation, I want us to play with a good intensity.
“That is one of the main things regardless of the system. I want us to play with a lot of intensity and one thing it lends itself to is pace and power and we’ve been able to be a success at times in terms of an attacking team. I don’t want to change that aspect in what we already have – so improving the squad this summer will be important, but it’s not going to be a massive overhaul because I doubt that that will be possible.”
Pearson has dropped less-thansubtle hints that he will prioritise strengthening his central defenders, while a move to sign a natural right wing-back appears a necessity.
The manager has started half-adozen different players in that position throughout the season with midfielder Alex Scott filling the void for large periods of the campaign.
Pearson has also suggested that a defensive midfielder is likely to be a priority after admitting in the home defeat to Birmingham that the club “don’t have any.”
City, who are 18th in the Sky Bet Championship, visit already-relegated Derby County this afternoon.