Nigel Pearson will look towards his senior players to speak some "home truths" to their younger Bristol City team-mates after criticising their lack of effort from the bench against Sheffield United.
The Bristol City manager named an unchanged side in the 1-0 defeat at Bramall Lane which meant a strong selection of substitutes including Alex Scott, Mark Sykes, Tommy Conway, Anis Mehmeti, and Kal Naismith.
Sykes and Conway were initially introduced just after the hour mark, in replace of Harry Cornick and Nahki Wells, before Scott came onto the field in the 74th minute - three minutes before James McAtee's winner.
Both Conway and Scott have enjoyed terrific seasons, the former enjoying a breakthrough campaign while the midfielder's stock has continued to rise with a big-money move to Premier League expected to materialise in the summer. Over half a dozen top-flight clubs are reportedly showing an interest.
However, last night was the first time the duo have received criticism in public, reinforcing the message that they'll be no excuse for taking their foot off the gas in the final three games of the season. For the first hour of the game, City were in the ascendency, led by the impressive performances of both Andy King and Matty James in midfield.
While both senior players have had positive impacts on the pitch this season, they also have a notable influence off it - with King particularly close to Scott and Conway - and Pearson has called on the veteran pair to have open and frank discussions with their younger team-mates.
"Our senior players were excellent," Pearson said after the game. "Like I say, when we needed to make changes for different reasons we didn't get the impact we needed and we have a strong bench tonight.
"They'll be a need after tonight for some of the senior players to speak a few home truths to some of their younger team-mates. I can say what I say but I think it's very important for that connection to work both ways so it's about positive reinforcement. Sometimes there is a necessity for a different approach."
Pearson was also full of praise for 34-year-old King who started his eighth match in City's last nine Championship matches and is arguably enjoying some of his best form since joining the club in the summer of 2021. The midfielder's immediate future beyond this season is still undecided as his contract as a player/coach expires at the end of June.
However, there is an expectancy that King will extend his deal at City in some capacity and Pearson is happy that supporters can see he still has plenty to offer as a player. He added: "He's good great game understanding, he's a very experienced player and we're really pleased to have him.
"I think this season has been good for our fanbase to see that he still has positive things to offer on the pitch. I know what he brings off it and that is a very positive impact in the dressing room and he, along with the other senior players, is an integral part in how you develop younger players because when I hear coaches talking about themselves, saying how good they are about tactics, it's about developing players who are able to deal with the demands of the modern game.
"If players aren't tactically astute anyway, they won't play at the top. It's about trying to pass on the tricks of the trade so to speak and the best coaches are the players. Which is why it's important to have good senior players so the youngsters learn on the job, they learn during games."
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