Rob Atkinson says he has reaped the rewards from being left out of the Bristol City squad in December because it helped him develop the mental side of his game.
The Bristol City defender fell victim to a sickness bug going around the camp before Christmas meaning he was left out of the squad for three matches. He then returned to the bench for two games before being left out entirely again in the 2-1 defeat against Stoke City.
Pearson came under criticism for the decision with stand-in central defender Andy King making an error for the Potters' equaliser on the stroke of half-time. After the game, the City manager pinpointed a lack of trust in Atkinson as the main reason why he was left out of the squad.
He said: "Other players are ahead of him. (He needs to) Be more enthusiastic and work harder. Pretty normal isn’t it for any player? The fact I’m picking a midfield player ahead of centre-backs tells you how I view the squad at the moment.
"Make of that what you will. I don't care. It's a lot about trust. Kingy gives us everything that he can. I don't make excuses all I'll say is I'll pick what I think is the best side based on what we have. If players aren't selected, it's their fault, not mine."
Atkinson, 24, was then left on the bench in the following fixture against West Brom but was introduced in the second half following an injury to King. Since then, he has played every minute as his partnership alongside Zak Vyner continues to go from strength to strength.
Speaking of his omission from the squad during that period, Atkinson said: "There was no direct message really (from Nigel Pearson) but I think the fact I wasn't in the team was enough of a message if you know what I mean.
"It spurred me on to improve myself mentally and get to a better place and I think I've reaped the rewards for it to be honest. I think I'm a much better player from a mental standpoint to what a was a few months ago.
"That's just football really. If you're not winning then something's not working then you're obviously not going to pick the same team when it's not working.
"You've got to be positive really. Being out of the team is not ideal really but you can't moan or be negative about it because negativity can be infectious and positivity can also be infectious. It's always better to spread the better kind which is what I am to do. When the opportunity was there, I just made sure Id give it a right good go.
"We talked about what things players have to deal with and that's another thing being left out of the team. You have to be ready for it and when you are out of the team you have to do everything you can to get back into the team. That can come from improving yourself, physically, technically and mentally too.
"Anything I can control, I try to improve whether that's in the gym getting stronger or technically working on something that you're not very good at or improving your own strengths. Trying to create that positive atmosphere for others and yourself."
Atkinson has been instrumental in City's turn of form that has seen them take on Norwich on Saturday with an eight-game unbeaten run. One of the key factors to the turnaround is switching to a back four at half-time in the FA Cup with Swansea when the Robins were one-goal behind with George Tanner at right-back and Cam Pring to his left.
"We made the switch at half-time and it just awoke something in all of us," Atkinson added. "Then we stuck with it since. I've not played in a back four since the start of last season so it's been a long time for quite a few of us.
"With every game, we play we get that better understanding of ourselves and we feel like there is already a connection with the four of us. We also have Tomas who has come back from injury who is pushing us and making us all better.
"It's different. I've played in both and I've enjoyed myself in both roles. You could argue in a back four you have that one less man so there's more responsibility, When you have that extra man in midfield it does help you defensively, winning those second balls and the midfield."
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