Well, 2023 hasn’t quite started with a bang for Bristol City, but at this moment in time improved performances and another important point can’t be sniffed at as reflected by Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Coventry City.
Whether you take the optimistic view of it being only two defeats in the last seven games or the more pessimistic approach of the Robins now being winless in four, it feels at times like City and Nigel Pearson are keeping their heads above water.
Yet the trips to the CBS Arena and The Den couldn’t have felt much different in a manner to the visit of West Brom on Boxing Day. City have carried a threat themselves going forward while being defensively resolute.
But wins are how success is measured in football and the Reds could certainly do with a few of those heading their way. Maybe the FA Cup contest against Swansea City next week might be enough to take away some pressure and get 2023 properly up and running.
The hard-working display against the Sky Blues shouldn't be glossed over. City not only gave one of the Championship’s form teams a proper run for their money, but the occasionally shaky defence also kept one of the division’s best strikers Viktor Gyokeres quiet.
Away from the on-pitch action, here are the moments missed from 2023’s curtain raiser.
Patience is a virtue for Nigel
On top of his post-match club interview, his written press conference and a BBC Radio Bristol interview, Pearson had the bonus responsibility of catching up with talkSport’s Ian Abrahams where the former Leicester City manager was incredibly open about the pressure around him.
He said: “We’ve got to try to work with the squad that’s really evolving in a positive direction, whether people’s patience holds out or not, I can’t do much about that.
“I can only work how we are working to try and get performances like today which hopefully bring us better results. But I can’t do much about people’s tolerance levels, whether that be our fanbase or our owners.
“Football is what it is as an industry, if you’re involved in it you’ve got to be prepared to accept sometimes unreasonable situations. But look we all have a choice, you either want to be in it or don’t.
“We as staff have invested so much time and energy in trying to affect this club in a positive way, along with the owners and along with the people who work at the football club. So, it’s not one to just give up on just because things aren’t going in the right direction.”
While two draws away from home in the past week have quietened down any immediate calls of ‘Pearson out’ it’s clear to see the positive aspects his reign has brought and will continue to carry, although he as much as anyone knows results need to turn.
Jay Dasilva meeting an old friend
Jay Dasilva has spent much of his time since Bristol City returned from the World Cup break watching on from the bench due to Cam Pring's excellent run of form, but as both sides completed their warm-ups ahead of kick-off, he found time to catch up with Adi Viveash.
Viveash was part of the Chelsea youth system and the Under-18s and U21s manager from 2011-2017, managing Dasilva and Kasey Palmer for much of their youth career before they left on permanent deals to Ashton Gate.
As the starting XI completed their usual passing and shooting drills, Dasilva left the substitutes to make his way to the halfway line where he stayed in conversation with the now-Coventry assistant manager for an extended period of time.
Viveash was instrumental in bringing Palmer to the CBS Arena last summer such was the admiration of his ability, with Dasilva somewhat out of favour and out of contract this summer, could the Chelsea youth connection be reignited once more?
Kasey Palmer interacts with the Reds
During the 90 minutes in Coventry the travelling Bristol City fans made sure to make their feelings known about Kasey Palmer, with plenty of jeers when he lost the ball and plenty of boos as he was substituted just after the hour mark.
But as he made his way into the ground ahead of kick-off on Sunday, the former Robin stopped for photos and signatures with both fans of the home side and even took the time to catch up with some City fans, as well as sharing a big hug with Scott Murray as he headed to the changing rooms after the warm-up.
He also shared a hug and small catch-up with members of the Robins’ media team while Pearson mentioned post-match that he’d caught up with Palmer as well as greeting his family in attendance.
It may not have worked out in the long run for KP45 in the West Country, but Pearson was keen to wish the former Chelsea man well after the game saying, “There’s never anything personal and we tried together. Kasey had a good go at working at lots of different things, but it wasn’t to be.”
In his hour on the pitch on Sunday he showed the talent he had with a couple of skilful runs and excellently threaded through balls, without managing to have a constant impact.
Andi Weimann’s ‘Hand of God’
Those who weren’t present in the Midlands on Sunday may have been bemused by the lack of shots in the second half, as the Robins produced an xG of 0 in the second period, but Pearson’s side still had the best chance of a winner.
In the 76th minute, Semenyo broke down the right flank before aiming for Weimann at the back post, only to be denied his fifth of the season thanks to an incredible piece of defending by Ben Sheaf.
As desperation loomed for the Austrian to somehow turn the ball into the net, he opted to have a swing at the ball with his hand, but even then he wasn’t able to beat the defence and picked up a yellow card for his troubles.
The goals haven’t been flowing this season like they did last for Weimann and he must be wondering if he’s broken a mirror or walked under a ladder, with Pearson saying the 31-year-old was amazed that it didn’t go in thanks to some “unbelievable defending.”
Moment for Pele
Just as many other football grounds throughout England and the rest of the world would have across the past few days, all inside the Coventry Building Society Arena paid tribute to Pele after one of the sport’s greatest-ever players passed away on Thursday.
Both sides wore black armbands and joined the fans inside the ground all stood for an impeccably observed moment's applause to honour the three-time World Cup winner before producing an entertaining and attacking contest that could have gone either way.
While Pele’s football in England was limited to the 1966 World Cup, the impact he had on the world’s game can’t be underestimated and the EFL and Premier League have given back their appreciation in masses over the last few days.
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