Nigel Pearson insists he's not feeling the pressure as Bristol City manager after a humbling and humiliating defeat against Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup.
The Robins went into the third round tie against League One opposition on the back of two wins in 12 matches in the Championship and Tuesday night provided a golden opportunity to get back to winning ways. City, though, were embarrassed at Ashton Gate with Mark Kennedy's side running out 3-1 victors amid a disjoined performance and more chaotic moments in defence.
City will now look towards their home game with Watford on Saturday having fallen to 20th in the league, three points above the drop zone, after results in the Championship went against them. It's their final match before a four-week World Cup break where clubs could well take advantage of the time to reassess their options.
Supporters made their thoughts of the performance well aware last night having booed the team off at half-time and at the full-time whistle. While the large majority of fans have been in support of Pearson, opinions are certainly starting to wane with results and performance failing to improve.
When asked if he's feeling the pressure, Pearson responded: "Me? There’s pressure all the time, of course, there is. But if you’re asking me, do I worry about it? Of course, I don’t. No.
"The pressure that comes with being a manager of a football club is constant. Does a poor evening against a side from a lower league where you get beaten 3-1 at home, does that swing it one way or the other?
"I don’t worry about things like that because we are where we are because of what we’re having to do and that is change the squad. We don’t have the depth so it’s obvious.”
Pearson made eight changes to take on Lincoln including handing Stefan Bajic his first City appearance in goal, a full senior debut for defender Joe Low and academy product Dylan Kadji starting in midfield. Andy King also came into the side while Chris Martin started his first game since August.
Two of Lincoln's goals were incredibly soft with Low being made to pay for losing possession in his own half after 15 minutes. City then failed to deal with a set-piece at the beginning of the second half, allowing Paddie O'Connor to score from close range to make it three.
Tommy Conway's goal 10 minutes before time gave City a glimmer of hope but Lincoln were fairly comfortable in sitting back and soaking up the pressure. Pearson would reiterate his desire to strengthen in defensive areas during the January transfer but conceded financial restraints make it unlikely.
"We’ve had good chances what we haven’t done is taken them and unfortunately, we need to strengthen the squad in defensive areas it’s as simple as that," he added.
When asked how possible or realistic that is, he said: "I’ve got no idea. Probably not possible but it’s a situation that’s costing us at the minute because when we’re scoring goals, we’ve got a chance. But we continue to leak poor goals.”
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