Fans don't want to hear about "potential"
New Bristol City boss Nigel Pearson has spoken to the media
New Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson says the club is capable of reaching the Premier League, but adds the fans do not want to keep hearing about potential.
The former Leicester and Watford manager has met the press in Bristol for the first time, discussing his recruitment, ambitions and contract.
He told us the role excites him as his side is capable of reaching the top flight of English football for the first time.
"I would imagine our fan base in particular don't really want to hear the word 'potential' too often," he said.
"Potential is something we have, we have it, of course we do, but what we have also is a really good foundation to press for the next step and that (promotion) of course is everybody's aspirations in the Championship,
"There are lots of ways of achieving that.
"I think one of the things about this football club that I really do identify with is the ethos of how it is set up to do that.
"What we have to do now though is continue to press to do that."
Pearson comes in with City firmly in mid table, having lost their last six games on the bounce before his appointment.
He will hope to build now on a 3-1 away win at Middlesbrough on Tuesday night (23/02), which he watched from the stands.
Pearson on his appointment
Asked first up about how he came to take the role, the 57-year-old said he was "pleasantly surprised" to be contacted.
"It felt a positive move to make," he said.
"I was pleased we could speak frankly about what was expected and what was needed in the immediate future.
"It's a good club, I like the ethos of how the club is structured.
"The infrastructure is such that we are at least geared towards a positive future. What we have to do now is make that happen.
"I'm really pretty excited to get involved and move the club in the right direction."
On his contract
As things stand Pearson will only be in his role until the end of the season, but the manager made very clear he hopes that time frame will be extended.
"I'd like to be here longer but as Steve (Lansdown) said, it's an opportunity to have a look at each other.
"I fully understand it and I'm fine, I'm very happy in my own skin.
"For me again it's not something I'm particularly concerned about.
"I take the job on in the knowledge in my own mind that it is something that is potentially going to be longer and hopefully it will be, but again I along with the staff and the players have to fulfil our obligations and that is firstly to stabilise our situation and improve and finish as high as we can this season.
On new Rovers manager Joey Barton
Pearson was interim manager at Newcastle United while Barton was still a player at the club, with Pearson admitting they have exchanged messages since their respective appointments.
"Hopefully when we're able to it would be good to see him," he said.
"I think he's a really good appointment for Bristol Rovers, I really do.
He's a very intelligent man, he's passionate about football as well, but there's a depth of character there that I don't think people would necessarily know about.
"I think he's got a really bright future."