Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Conway a candidate for number ten position
BRISTOL City manager Nigel Pearson is open to the idea of starting with Tommy Conway and another central striker – but expanding the experiment that bore fruit at Rotherham in midweek will have to wait until the 21-year-old fully builds up his match fitness.
Conway was introduced with 12 minutes to go at the New York Stadium and his brace secured a 2-1 win for the Robins, but what was also interesting about his involvement was the fact he lined up in the number ten role, loosely operating behind Nahki Wells.
The two have played together before, and were prolific last term, but since Pearson reverted to a 4-3-3 in January as his go-to system, common wisdom dictates that only one of Wells, Conway or Harry Cornick can start a game, unless an individual is moved out wide.
However, Pearson believes, given the right opponent and game plan, he can see Conway and Wells, for example, both lining up in the starting XI at some stage this season. With the former still not in a physical position to start a game, however, it will have to at least wait until after the international break before it comes to fruition.
Although a penalty box player by trade, Conway is mobile enough to roam around a central figure in attack and noted in the wake of his match-winning turn that he has been working on scoring different types of goals, rather than one-touch finishes, something which would naturally accompany any move into a deeper role. As Pearson makes the point, though, Jason Knight’s role in the ten slot is important for two reasons; one his ability and energy on the ball, and then how he’s often the man to break forward and lead the press when out of possession.
“Tommy’s okay playing in the ten position and he gets to play with his mate up top. It was something we thought could and would work,” Pearson said. “It won’t be at the moment (from the start), but in certain games, yes, it’s a possibility.
“But what that does do is it takes away our ability to press high with Knighty. So I suppose it depends on types of opponents and the context of the game. When you go away from home, you don’t have to be overly extravagant early on. You know what you’re going to get at places like Rotherham, you’re going to have to deal with a lot of aerial balls and there are going to be a lot of turnovers during the game.”
The Robins travelled back up to Yorkshire yesterday afternoon – ready to face Leeds – after a light training session in Failand, although Pearson admitted the 48 hours post-Rotherham are mainly about recovery.
Right-back George Tanner is once again a doubt due to his ankle injury and the likelihood is that Taylor Gardner-Hickman will continue in that role at Elland Road.
Mark Sykes, meanwhile, continues to be bothered by a cut on his foot and was substituted in the second half at Rotherham.