'We're beavering away' - Lee Johnson updates on Bristol City's striker hunt as loans look unlikely Latest news from the club on January transfers Bristol City 'aren't really fancied and that probably suits us' according to the team's head coach. Speaking in the wake of a sixth straight win and going 12 matches unbeaten Lee Johnson spoke about his team's good form and gave an update on injuries at Ashton Gate. He also spoke on the club's transfer plans for the remaining five days of the January window as BristolLive asked how the club's search for one more striker was going. In the case of any outgoing loans for any fringe Robins, injuries may have changed the club's thinking a little. "We're still beavering away but it's proving very, very difficult through the sheer expense of Janaury. A lot of plates are spinning but then falling down," said Johnson in the post-match press conference. "But in saying that it's probably less important [to recruit] now after Matty Taylor's miraculous recovery. "At one point we thought it was going to be six to eight weeks but now it looks like he's [Taylor] going to train this week. "I was gutted because I wanted to get Mo Eisa on today [against Bolton] to give him some minutes but I just didn't feel it was right for the game. "If we had scored in the first 10 minutes of the second half then he'd have come straight on because he's been performing very well as well. "We spoke previously about bringing in Kasey to give us that spark and - touch wood - if Fam did go down then we wouldn't have a like for like replacement for those attributes. "We'll see. But listen, if we don't get one I won't throw my toys out of the pram. I'll just continue coaching the team," he explained. City have seen Josh Maja head to Bordeaux while Leon Clarke is of interest but unlikely to be released from Sheffield United. And it might be that Karlan Grant's name cropped up in conversations with Charlton Athletic with the Addicks interested in striker Mo Eisa and goalkeeper Max O'Leary. We enquired if Bristol City's recent injuries might derail any potential league loans for the likes of Eisa and O'Leary, while Joe Morrell was excellent on Friday night too. "I'm a bit worried about that [injuries]. We want them to develop and particularly if they're young, but at the same time you have to protect number one," explained Johnson. "And you've seen that in this league all of a sudden: bang. You've got any team getting four or five injuries. "Last week was horrendous. We had like four injuries in one week when I was expecting them all to train on the Monday. "So at that point you're thinking that well we look strong but all of a sudden you can look weaker. "For the likes of Joe Morrell who should be getting a loan he's too close to allow him out. "It's unfortunate for Joe but we've given him that carrot and some nice bonuses to get in the first team and it's up to him to stay in there," said Johnson. Bristol City play Swansea City at home next Saturday. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/were-beavering-away-lee-johnson-2472535
"We're still beavering away but it's proving very, very difficult through the sheer expense of Janaury. A lot of plates are spinning but then falling down," Same old story, beavering away, very difficult, sheer expence. plates spinning, falling down, just keep going old boy, I just remember 10/11 games without losing.
We’ve cover for all other areas now, I do feel we need another striker to take the strain from Fam, LJ said so as well a while ago , he now seems to be cooling to the idea say MT will be ready sooner than first thought, I’m not sure if this is so we don’t seem too desperate/control expectations, or as a result of being unable to find anyone suitable. There is also a suggestion we will keep what funds we have for a push in the summer, this seems reasonable as this season was intended to be a consolidation season , but as we now find ourselves unexpectedly in with a shout of at least a play off place , and with Kalas and Palmer not likely to be here next season it may be worth a go. Personally I was only expecting a mid table finish , so I’m not too bothered as anything higher than that is a bonus.
I think with the position that we're in and the run we're on we should go for it, a playoff place would be a great boost to the players and club..So long as we don't feel that failure in the playoffs is a underachievement which becomes a negative....as we know, some fans will feel that way!!!
I am with you on going for it onefor and I think we have turned our heads in many directions over the years and I questioned the teams commitment to the future. Currently I really believe we have a squad capable of a challenge and if we go for any other route than the challenging one then, like me, a lot of supporters will not just fall off the feel good bandwagon but rather throw themselves. Forget everything else Lee and use those round pegs you have at your disposal and put them in the round holes and get the job done. We all are behind you and remember that failure is just a slightly lower version of success and unless you are prepared to stand up and be counted you will never know.
