Nigel Pearson admits he's in a welcome quandary over his team selection at right wing-back after Mark Sykes' impressive competitive debut against Hull last weekend.
The Bristol City manager started the former Oxford United winger over fellow new arrival Kane Wilson at the MKM Stadium after the latter struggled with an ankle knock in the build-up to the game. Wilson replaced Sykes on the hour mark but the 22-year-old is fit and in contention to start against Sunderland on Saturday.
While City were stretched for options in that position throughout last season with Pearson experimenting with six different players, the manager, somewhat ironically, now has players at his disposal and who he opts to start against Sunderland raises an interesting question.
While Wilson and Sykes are the obvious candidates to start, George Tanner is also pushing for minutes after enjoying a fine pre-season. The youngster perhaps offers more from a defensive perspective although it's clear Pearson wants his wing-backs to be playing high up the field this season.
Alex Scott is also an option judging by his role in that position in the second half of last season. Although the decision to start him as the No10 last Saturday suggests he is likely to be the third or fourth choice as a wing-back going forward.
Pearson afforded a wry smile when asked whether it was "probable" Wilson would have started against Hull if he was fit, preferring to use the term "possible" but conceded Sykes' performance is making him think twice about who to select against Sunderland.
He said: "It's a rather nice quandary. On top of that George (Tanner) has had a very good pre-season and looks in better all round shape.
"It's nice problems to have. You'll find out after the players find out on match day but it's a nice problem to have because I think it's a game where we will need to really push them throughout the entirety of the game so we'll have someone chomping at the bit to get on too."
Pearson will undoubtedly have one eye on the midweek Carabao Cup game with Coventry in which he is likely to rotate his options. It could be that Sykes gets the nod on Saturday while Wilson could make his full debut during the week.
The manager was complimentary of Sykes' performance against the Tigers and admitted he is learning quickly in his new role, exemplified by two incidences that caught him out during pre-season against Plymouth and Bournemouth.
He said: "He’s a quick learner. The last touch of the game at Plymouth he was playing at wing-back and they played a diagonal and the runner got inside of him. The same happened at Bournemouth last week and he learnt, and the player didn’t get there. So, he’s a quick learner, he’s a good footballer and I think he’s made a very good debut today.”
Sykes also remains an option at No10, where he also impressed particularly in the 3-1 victory against Forest Green Rovers which then raises another dilemma over where to play Scott. The obvious suggestion would be to play him further back in midfield but that means dropping one of Joe Williams or Matty James which seems unlikely.
As Pearson mentioned, it's a welcome conundrum and the competition out on that side will only prove motivation for those to earn the shirt and then keep it.
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