Robins chief Pearson is keen to see Klose stay on
BRISTOL CITY HULL CITY 5 0
NIGEL Pearson has reiterated his desire to keep Timm Klose beyond the end of this season – but admitted he does not know where the two parties currently stand regarding his contract.
The Swiss defender, 33, put in another assured defensive display in the five-goal thrashing of Hull on Saturday, further staking his claim that he deserves to be a Bristol City player beyond the 2021/22 campaign.
Klose signed a six-month contract in January and has played in every match following his arrival as a free agent. His deal expires at the end of June and his future remains unclear with the club and player still locked in negotiations over his contract.
Pearson was asked about Klose’s future after the game, and whether negotiations are any further down the line. He responded: “I can’t tell you where we’re at, I don’t get involved. I think he’s done really well and I’d like to keep him.”
The manager also did not give anything away regarding Robbie Cundy, who is soon out of contract. During his nine appearances in a City shirt, the Robins have lost just twice, winning four of the matches.
Pearson added: “It’s a different situation because of his injury record and robustness, but he’s done alright since he’s been in the side.
“He’s not flamboyant, he doesn’t try to be something he’s not, he just does what he does because he’s still adjusting to the Championship.
“I’ve not seen too many unforced errors from him and the number of goals we’ve conceded this year from unforced errors is frightening really.”
Striker Chris Martin, who reached 12 goals for the season with two strikes against Hull, praised the impact Klose has had.
He said: “Timm is a very good guy and he’s settled in pretty much straight away. It didn’t take him any time at all. He’s a good personality around the group, very good quality. He’s played at a fantastic level throughout his career, he’s got that knowledge of the game and understanding alongside the experience.
“I think it showed today, he got a little bit excited a couple of times as he went on some mazy runs and got a nosebleed. He was the highest man forward somehow.
“But he also started our attacks really well when we won the first contact from long balls, he was able to get it and shovel it into midfield who are in space or play it through the lines to the forwards which really causes them problems because it left us one on one or with an overload.
“I’m sure he’s been a calm head for the other two lads who haven’t played an awful lot of football at this level. I don’t want to speak for them, but from their point of view, I’m sure it’s been good having someone with that level of experience to be beside them and guide them through.”
Andi Weimann, Antoine Semenyo and Martin all scored first-half goals to put the Robins in command before Martin and Weimann doubled their tallies after the break.
City: Bentley, Cundy, Klose, Atkinson, Scott (Benarous
60), James, Williams, Dasilva, Weimann (Conway 83), Martin, Semenyo (Wells 79). Not Used: King, O’Leary, Idehen, Massengo.
Booked: Scott.
Goals: Weimann 5, 82, Semenyo 33, Martin 35, 54.
Hull: Baxter, Jones, McLoughlin, Greaves, Coyle, Smallwood, Honeyman, Fleming (Longman 79), Sayyadmanesh (Forss 74), Lewis-Potter, Eaves (Slater 46). Not Used: Ingram, Elder, Docherty, Bernard.
Booked: Smallwood, Jones.
Attendance: 21,799.
Referee: Ben Toner (Lancashire).