Pearson: We must sell before buying

There’s no quick fix to squad depth problems at City, admits Ashton Gate chief

NIGEL Pearson has hinted that Bristol City may sell one of their assets in January to be able to bolster his squad depth and improve the defence.

The Robins manager wanted to sign at least one more central defender in the summer but was not able to raise the necessary funds to improve the side – and the subsequent lack of depth has been magnified by the injuries to Kal Naismith and Tomas Kalas.

Zak Vyner, who might have left

Ashton Gate in the summer, has emerged as one of the most reliable central defenders, having started every Sky Bet Championship game, but Timm Klose seems to have lost the trust of the manager while Cam Pring has started the last two League matches in central defence despite a preference for left wing-back.

Pearson, right, has reiterated he will have no money to spend in the January transfer window, with a need to further reduce the wage bill, but he emphasised the need to make additions as individual errors continue to mar City’s progress.

“Too many individual errors have cost us and that’s something we have to continue to work at,” Pearson said ahead of today’s fixture against Watford. “There’s no quick fix.

“Whether we’ll be able to do some trading remains to be seen, but that will only happen if players leave. We’re not as a club going to change our strategy in what we’re trying to do and that is still to be competitive but reduce costs. Whether I like it or not, that’s where we are.”

“The depth of our squad, when players have needed to perform they haven’t had the same influence as