Nigel Pearson says Bristol City's recent poor run of form has naturally contributed to them losing some of their collective spirit and called on his players to have each other's backs through the tough times.
One of the strengths of the Robins this season has been the camaraderie among the players which helped contribute to a run of eight games without defeat and leave them pushing for a play-off spot.
Defeats at Norwich and Burnley ended that streak but there were still plenty of encouragement in those performances to suggest they can compete with the top sides in the league. However, City have been a shadow of themselves after returning to action following the international break with the defeat at Birmingham their worst showing of the season.
After the game at St Andrew's, Pearson admitted some of his players were playing with fear and showed a negative mindset by highlighting the number of backwards passes. Five games without a victory increases the pressure on the side against Preston and Pearson has called on his squad to rediscover that support among the players.
"It's easier if collectively we remain united. I think there have been little signs where we've isolated each other and I think that is down to the blend of characters that we have and there the players we have got," Pearson said.
"(I mean that) In as much as during a game when you're playing alongside somebody it doesn't cost a lot to either give them a clip round the ear hole, a friendly nudge or a bit of encouragement. But I also understand because I've been there myself as a player, when you're going through a dip in form, you spend so long looking after yourself.
"I think that's what we have to do to a large extent but we didn't commit enough and so we got caught in between, whatever analogy you want to use.
"It is important that everybody accepts their own sphere of influence. They have to be able to perform themselves in the job that they're meant to do. I said to the players today, the most reliable unit that we've got at the moment is our forwards.
"We've been missing important players at the back and in midfield, we've been in and out of form so normally you can rely on your defenders to be the bedrock of the team and I think we have collectively struggled at times or had individual problems.
"I don't think that's being anything but honest and the players will always get the support of both me and my staff and it's important that we continue to work in a way with them that allows them the opportunity to find their feet again and we'll do that.
"We are aware where the shortcomings are at the minute and unfortunately, we've been prolific scoring but the last two games we haven't and of course that opens up other areas where we need to be a bit more efficient and we weren't in the last game certainly.
"What I am very keen to remind both myself, the staff and players is that the ability to perform increases if the collective remains tight. Players don't purposely move away from that as a principle but of course, when players find themselves a little bit out of form, it becomes more natural to try and take care of yourself rather than other people."
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