Nigel Pearson’s Bristol City will be in action for the first time since the close of the January transfer window when they travel to Bloomfield Road to face 15th placed Blackpool in the Championship.
Transfer window round-up
The Robins had a relatively quiet January transfer window, with ex-Norwich defender Timm Klose the only incoming at Ashton Gate as Pearson aims to improve the third worst defence in the Championship, only Reading and Peterborough have conceded more than City’s 51.
But there were reports of late interest from Nottingham Forest and Watford for young striker Antoine Semenyo, who has been in excellent form this season with four goals and six assists in 15 league appearances, with Forest reportedly having a bid rejected.
“If there were requests or bids put in it’s something I didn’t know about,” explained Pearson.
“I’m not bothered to be fair, I’ve got no intention of him (Semenyo) going.”
Unsurprisingly, young midfield talents Han-Noah Massengo and Alex Scott were sure to also attract interest, but much to the relief of City fans they’ll get to watch the exciting pair for at least six more months.
“We’ll have to get the balance right between our financial situation as well as keeping our best players,” said the ex-Leicester City boss.
“Putting them on the market is not in question at all. I’m not wet behind the ears, I don’t expect everyone to stay here indefinitely there may be the necessity at some point to sell one of our talented players for us to negotiate our way through this next moment of time.”
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Two players who had plenty of speculation surrounding them on transfer deadline day were out of favour duo Nahki Wells and Kasey Palmer, with both linked with a move across the Severn to Cardiff City.
But with neither managing to secure a move, Pearson made sure to remind the fans that a return isn’t off of the cards.
“The door has never been closed on anybody, I try to be as open as I can with players even when it’s bad news,” said Pearson
“I always try to be as fair as I can be, but that doesn’t mean that fairness feels the same for everybody.”
City team news
City will be without Matty James, Rob Atkinson, George Tanner and Andy King for the trip to Blackpool, with King’s season possibly cut short having had a second hamstring surgery this week.
Joe Williams is likely to remain as a substitute, despite impressing off of the bench in recent weeks Pearson is keen to manage his return to avoid a reoccurrence of the injuries that have hampered his City career so far.
With recent performances being strong from City, few changes are to be expected but the Robins will be hoping to claim their first away win since beating Peterborough on Saturday, October 2.
Iconic Fixture
Bristol City 5 – 2 Blackpool, September 4, 1999
Having gone behind in the 15th minute thanks to a Brett Ormerod strike, City turned the game on it’s head in the second half after Blackpool substitute Phillip Robinson was sent off.
A double from Tony Thorpe as well as goals from Mickey Bell, Carl Hutchings and Jim Brennan meant that John Murphy’s late strike for the visitors was nothing but a consolation.
Pre-match stats
Blackpool are unbeaten in 3 League games, winning twice.
The home side have scored 13 goals at home – only Barnsley & Cardiff have scored fewer.
Bristol City have not kept clean sheet in 18 away League games
Pearson’s side have dropped 23 points from winning positions this season, more than any other side in Championship.
