Nigel Pearson makes Bristol City admission ahead of Derby County visit
The Bristol City boss wants his side to show 'tenacity and resilience' in Saturday's game against Derby County
Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson
Bristol City boss Nigel Pearson feels their home game against Derby County is an opportunity for his side to show 'tenacity and resilience.'
The Robins fell to a 2-0 defeat at Sheffield United last weekend, after overcoming Stoke City.
In a squad where experienced players with the likes of Matty James, Andy King, Nathan Baker and Joe Williams are out recovering from injuries, recent results have reflected that.
In their last five games, Bristol have only won once, while falling to defeat on three occasions.
"We are missing some experience in the side but we are going to rely on the young lads who are in their at the moment," Pearson told Robins TV. "What we have to fall back on is the team ethic to get through games.
"It's a game in which we need to get back to the types of qualities we have shown in terms of our tenacity and resilience."
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While consistency may have been an issue this campaign, Pearson feels home support is key to continue with their positive home form.
"Consistency has been the problem for us after Sunday's defeat at Sheffield United," he added.
"We need to rely on our home form, it's a game that we need to get back to the types of qualities we have shown of late in terms of how our tenacity and our resilience - those types of qualities, we need to show those at the weekend.
"The young lads that are in there at the moment we are going to rely on them, when they experience a more difficult day like we had a Sheffield United, it's really important that they recognise what gets them success on the field.
"What we have to fall back on is the team ethic to get through games."
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On welcoming the Rams to Ashton Gate, the 58-year-old boss has complimented the work done by Wayne Rooney and Co. despite the ongoing off-the-field issues.
"The situation they are in, in terms of the deductions are really tough but I think probably what it has done is free them up a little bit and in difficult circumstances I think they've conducted themselves very well actually, the staff and the players and they do have some good players.
"We'll need to be on our game, because of the situation they're in doesn't mean it's an easy game, they're a decent side and we've got to make sure we're at our best."
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