Don't expect Bristol City to spend big during this summer transfer window- the pathway has been laid before Gregor MacGregor looks at how Lansdown and Johnson have offered various hints as to City's strategy Steve Lansdown revealed that there would be investment made at Bristol City during the summer following the game against Birmingham. But he also stressed that it's how you spend your money not how much. The majority share holder has also talked up the spending going on behind the scenes at BS3. Likewise Mark Ashton has spoken about how the club is refurbishing behind the scenes, with the club's coaching and academy staff being increased. "We're trying to build sustainable success," said Ashton following the final game of the season. "And in doing that you're going to have your ups and your downs but you need to stay true to what you're trying to deliver. "There's a lot of work being down behind the scenes by a lot of people to help build the infrastructure and build a club that will eventually deliver sustainable success." So, taking that ethos on board, here is what we're expecting from the Robins this summer. Putting in the foundations Don't expect big splashes in the transfer market - that might well mean that things like a new training ground, increased specialised academy, recruitment and coaching staff, and improved sports science and technology departments all come first. After all, if you're spending your money without doing the due diligence you stand an increased chance of ending up with faulty goods and out of pocket. The next signing made by the club could even be one of the two head of scouting positions that the club advertised for a couple of months ago (home and abroad) before any players come in. "A lot of funding has been going into [our] scouting, and not just scouting but statistics and the way we want to scout players and to make it economical in the way we view those players - there's a lot of big, big things going behind the scenes," explained Johnson. Transfer spending So what does that mean for the transfer market? Patience will be needed. First there's the Adam Reach example as mentioned at the weekend in our transfer news round-up. The club is likely to continue targeting lower league players at a reduced price, like they did with Callum O'Dowda, buying potential rather then players for the here and now. Players like John Marquis, Ollie Watkins and Poole Town's Luke Roberts fit this template. Experienced Championship players will likely only come in if on a free (like Marley Watkins) or nearing the end of their contract. In addition, Lee Johnson recently explained that he believed there might be some opportunities during the transfer window where some bigger clubs end up having to get rid of a few players to free up room in the squad to bring in new players. This hints at shopping for bargains, and of needing to wait until later in the window. Meanwhile Johnson has also been scouting on the continent recently (likely watching Simone Ganz, Giuseppe De Luca or Pierluigi Cappelluzzo) and specifically referenced buying players from Europe at a third of the price of those in England. "We don't want to go overboard on foreign players but the truth of the matter is you get the value in the foreign players," said Johnson. While that doesn't rule out any domestic purchases, it will be a major factor in the club's thinking. Many or few? "If we can add a sprinkle of one or two, here and there, then that's what we'll do", said Lee Johnson following the last game of the season. In short, it'll be a few. The club doesn't need a major refit, and a striker, full backs and a central midfielder will be looked for. Use of the loan market will be key for Johnson and City. The head coach has already visited Manchester City and fielded calls from other Premier League clubs about taking on their players. Younger players in the Premier League will get pre-season to prove themselves for next season and any deemed not quite ready will be offered City's way. Sell to buy? Every player has his valuation. And should a club meet it then the money will be pocketed and re-invested into the team. "I can't give any assurances [on players not being sold]," said Johnson responding to a question on whether the club would keep the likes of Flint, who explained that the club has players in mind should anyone be sold. It would need to be a big bid though, and would enable the club to bring in replacements. Lack of ambition? Does a lack of spending mean a lack of success? Absolutely not. There are countless examples of teams overachieving without spending a lot, from Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur to Huddersfield and a lesser extent Barnsley, Preston North End and Brentford. Even Burton could be argued as punching above their weight financially."It's not a question of how much necessarily. It's how well you spend your money. And I think we've done well over the last few years and I expect that to continue," said Steve Lansdown after the Birmingham defeat. And that pattern may well continue for a while. http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/dont-expect-bristol-city-spend-68317
No surprises there for me at all. They are trying to manage our expectations. We would all dearly love to be signing the likes of Messi or Christiano Ronaldo, but it ain't gonna happen. SL didn't get rich by throwing his money away - and football is probably the industry where its the easiest to lose big if you spend big, chasing the big names. I know he isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I get the feeling that Mark Ashton fellow is a smart cookie and may pull something special out of the bag - and besides, hardly anyone had heard of Tammy Abraham or Kodjia before they played for us.
It will be the usual wait and see from this side of the pond, however I can see the issues created by the high price of players from within the U.K. I tend to agree with the philosophy stated in the press releases but as you say it is probably meant to cool our heads and expectations rather than offer instant success. I truly expect another struggling season with inexperience being our weakest link but I am more than prepared to wait and see what these new 5 pillar type mandates will bring our way.
Expect to see players that are cheap, have odd names and from places nobody has ever heard of and with no track record of doing jack. Example, the Mongolian goalkeeper with no birth certificate that we were trying to sign.
View image on Twitter please log in to view this image Follow please log in to view this image Sky Sports News HQ ✔ @SkySportsNewsHQ BREAKING: @CPFC manager Sam Allardyce tells chairman Steve Parish he wants to leave the club - Sky sources. #SSNHQ 6:09 PM - 23 May 2017 I hope Mr Lansdown can read this, I know, dream on.. http://www.skysports.com/football/n...lls-crystal-palace-he-wants-to-leave-the-club
Sean O'Driscoll, Steve Cotterill, Steve Coppell.... I'm sorry, they might not have worked out but they were at least experienced. Only our fans would criticise a chairman for not trying to bring someone who was England manager less than a year ago to a Championship side.