It speaks of Nahki Wells’ character then when asked to reflect on his goal against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday he was more annoyed by the fact he hadn’t taken the earlier, and more straightforward, chance that was presented to him by Han-Noah Massengo.
Wells settled Saturday’s pre-season fixture at Home Park, after he collected Sam Bell’s sharp first-time inside pass, cooling turning inside a defender and onto his left foot and finishing from close range. It looked easy, and of course should have been taken for a frontman of his quality and repute, but the Bermudian still showed considerable execution and finesse in completing the task.
Which is why he was so frustrated with the incident a few minutes earlier as Massengo intercepted Michael Cooper’s misjudged clearance, played the striker through on goal only for Wells to seem to be caught in two minds whether to go around the keeper, lift the ball over or shoot to the side. That momentary delay, allowed Cooper to readjust his feet a little more convincingly, and then make a smart low save.
It may have been a friendly but Wells knows, as was the case throughout last season, every single moment counts for him, and in the opportunities that he is afforded on the field, he has to make an impact - the most visible of which is scoring goals.
There is a vacancy for the starting striker’s position on July 30 at Hull City following Antoine Semenyo’s shin injury and the 32-year-old is determined to make it his and believes, despite all that has gone before, he can be City’s top scorer this season.
“For me nothing changes. Last season I wasn’t given many opportunities, but when I was, I wasn’t able to solidify my spot,” Wells tells Bristol Live. “I thought I played well at times but small things like taking a chance or scoring a goal the things make that difference, I wasn’t able to do that.
“This time around nothing changes but try take those chances. I know I can score goals; I know that’s what I’m out there to do and if I get them, I need to take them because that’s what makes the difference.
“(the manager has said) Nothing significant apart from that he’s happy to have me here, my plan is to keep my head down and work hard, I’ve got another year’s contract and I feel I’m more than capable to be our top scorer, our main number nine but I have to prove that when I get my chances.”
There are a number of permutations in how Pearson will line up in the attacking areas against the Tigers but, then again, barring injury the very simple equation seems: Chris Martin + Andi Weimann + AN Other.
That could be Wells, with Weimann in the No10 role, or it could be Tommy Conway, or Alex Scott or Mark Sykes as the advanced midfielder and the Austrian pushed alongside Martin. Outside of any unforeseen circumstances that may transpire this week, it's the last remaining selection dilemma for Pearson.
These next set of friendlies could crystallise the manager's thinking in that regard, with Wells set to start against either Forest Green Rovers or Exeter City and his performance at Failand then determining the set-up at Bournemouth on Saturday, and beyond.
In his mind, at least, although they haven’t played many games together since the early days of Dean Holden’s reign, Wells believes he and Martin is a combination that can help City get off to a winning start in the 2022/23 season.
“I didn’t play as much with him last season, because I didn’t play as much football as I wanted to, but me and Chris had a good partnership when he first came in under Dean Holden for the first half of the season, so we know how to play together,” Wells added.
“If we’re called upon on July 30 my plan is to be the best, I can and work well together if that’s the partnership he chooses at the start of the season. Who knows, that’s up to him but I will just try to do my part.
“I think we can cover most areas as forwards together. I think he’s intelligent and I think that allows me to use my brain to pick up different positions and try to get myself in goal scoring positions. He still makes clever runs for a stand-up striker which allows me to go into feet.
“Whether I was to play with him, or Andi or I was to play with Antoine we all provide different things and Tommy (Conway) as well. I’ve played enough Under-23 games with Tommy so we know each other quite well. Who knows what the manager has in store but I think I have something to offer and my plan is as always to get my head down and work hard and see where it takes me.”
This is all being said, of course, against the backdrop of Wells’ slightly uncertain future at the club. He made just seven Championship starts last season - his fewest in the league since the 2017/18 Premier League campaign with Burnley - and doesn’t want a repeat of that for next term.
Pearson has, at times, been almost apologetic over the Bermudian’s lack of involvement but the simple fact was that once Semenyo returned to the starting XI in December last year, the Robins became so prolific and fluid going forward, it was very hard to leave out any member of the WSM.
With 12 months remaining on his deal, his status as fourth-choice - albeit with Semenyo’s undefined absence altering that dynamic slightly - Wells could well leave Ashton Gate this summer. After all, once September 1 passes any value left in the striker all-but disappears and City will have to stomach him leaving on a free in 2023 after considerable millions invested in him since he signed from Burnley in January 2020 for around £4.2m.
Pearson has previously stated he doesn’t want to see players running their contracts down. That was said in reference to Massengo but City are trapped a bit with Wells given their need to fill Semenyo’s injury absence temporarily and the fact that it’s challenging, if not impossible, to find a club at this level willing to pay for a 32-year-old on a healthy contract, who is available on a free transfer next year.
Preston North End, QPR and Swansea City all hold varying degrees of interest in the striker but, quite simply, don’t want to provide a transfer fee, which is a repeat of the situation in January where Pearson was mindful of potentially strengthening a rival with no financial benefit to the Robins other than the saving made on the player’s salary.
From Wells’ perspective - and to his credit he’s never complained about his situation nor have his attitude and application been affected, something which Pearson has spoken about - he remains here and available and with a willingness to do what’s best for the team.
“I mean of course, I’d be sitting here lying to your face if I said I wasn’t aware of it [his contract situation], but it isn’t my main focus,” Well said. “My main focus is to take every day as it comes and see how pre-season plans itself out.
“I’m sure if the manager or the club had a different perspective on things, I’m sure they would have told me by now and I haven’t heard anything. The gaffer knows my mindset and that’s to work hard and try to be in the team on July the 30th and do the best I can for the side, and that’s the focus.”
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