Bristol City ‘It’s a risk’ – Should Bristol City be cautious over latest club news? The verdict Bristol City made it back-to-back wins in the Championship following the midweek victory over Derby County, a result that leaves the Robins in seventh place in the league after the opening four rounds of fixtures. City manager Lee Johnson hass not finished tinkering with his squad though, with former Swansea centre-back Ashley Williams on trial at the club with a view to securing a contract, following his release by Everton in the summer, as reported on Football Insider. So should the Robins be cautious in their approach to the signing of Williams? We discuss…….. Kealan Huges “Certainly, Johnson told the player that he wasn’t on trial but his hips were, meaning that the player has the quality but it is a risk to bring him in considering his injury record over the past few years. “He would have a lot to offer Bristol City both on and off the pitch but he would also likely demand a high wage, and the club will want to avoid an expensive outlay on a player who rarely plays. “Johnson will likely use this short period to assess his fitness and if he is happy that Williams is up to the task he will probably offer him a contract. “It is still difficult to determine a player’s physical shape until they play in competitive fixtures, and considering Williams hasn’t found another club, The Robins could offer him a pay-as-you-play deal, or something similar.” George Brooks “I think so. Williams is a good defender and he’s got plenty of experience at the top level. He could turn out to be a decent signing for Bristol City, but there are a few concerns. “He appears to be well past his best and struggled at times for Stoke last season. “Despite his experience, I’m not sure he’d be an upgrade on the defenders Bristol City currently have. “The other issue is his fitness, he appears to be coming to the end of his career and struggled to cope with the physical demands of the Championship last season. There would be little point in Bristol City signing him if he isn’t going to play that many games. “With that said, he could still be a decent signing for the Robins, but I’d expect him to be more of a squad player should he move to Ashton Gate.” Nick Holmes " It's a risk, the Robins already have a long injury list and the last thing they need is to add a player that is going to spend time sidelined. “City need to add more cover at centre-back after the departures of Lloyd Kelly, Adam Webster and Zak Vyner, and the injury to Bailey Wright, but it seems a wise move to wait to see if Williams is the right man. “At 34, his fitness is a concern, so it is only right that the Robins wait it out to see if he is up to it. “The Welsh international is past his prime but he could be a great addition if Johnson can get him performing well as a bit-part player.” https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/i...e-cautious-over-latest-club-news-the-verdict/
If he is fit enough, he is good enough but he was poor at Stoke and why did they let him go, he is never worth the same wage scale as Kalas, what a difficult choice for LJ but that is what he is there for. Personally in his hayday Williams was absolute quality, for the right deal I would sign him up.
It’s a difficult one, we need can cover, but don’t want to Block Taylor Moore’s development, he’d presumably cost a lot in terms of wages and may be a risk in terms of fitness, i think on balance just about a no for me , 52% - 48% , find someone cheaper and less likely to be an injury risk.
He was part of a defence that let in fewer than our defence of Webster and Kalas. He was never a Stoke player only on loan. Stoke was hoping to bounce back up so didn’t mind his wages last season, as they had loads on prem wages. The Stoke manager is trying to bring the age of the team down so Williams was never going to become a full time Stoke player. One point to remember is his £25k a week wages are football forums speculation. I don’t think it will be anything like that, but that is just my opinion. I’ve no insider knowledge but we do have a budget to work to. We are searching the bucket that no one wants, by age, injuries or silly wage demands. Don’t think there are any rich pickings. Taylor Moore is only a slight issue, and that is his form. Bakers past is the issue as in if he breaks down again we are in dangerous waters. We can survive the odd one game ban between the current three with going two at the back but another 2 month injury will be damaging. Also it’s only cover till Bailey Wright is fit, who I actually think is worse than a old Williams. Once again in my opinion Williams knows he’s only here on emergency cover and that is possibly why the delay in announcing or signing. Me personally would maybe like to use someone in our youth, but that could damage their careers in they’ve no experience. We are where we are as like in school no one wants the fat kid but ultimately to keep numbers someone is better than nothing.
A £10k a week deal with more on a pay as you play basis would work. We do need cover, but not at £25k a week and at the detriment of Moore’s developmemt
Was he really that poor at Stoke? Stoke are a strange club with some very talented individuals who don’t seem to click as a team. Afobe was ‘poor’ last season too according to some, but was still their top scorer and certainly seems to have fitted in well with us. Re: wages; right now he’s getting nothing, so I would say that favours us. If we are going to help him rekindle his career then he might be prepared to compromise.
If he’s prepared to compromise on wages to the point he’s mid range of our structure and happy to be cover, ie not guaranteed to play every game then obviously that changes matters, RoD’s point about the fat kid , is valid too.
20 stone just said signed till January, option of extending till end of the season Sorry RoD didn’t see the link at the end of your post.
City move ‘a breath of fresh air’ for Williams https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/city-move-a-breath-of-fresh-air-for-williams/
We do need cover , as long as it doesn’t get in the way of Taylor Moore’s progression , I’m happy . He adds experience as well to what is, on the whole a young team. Welcome Ashley.
A shrewd piece of work by the team in only having a contract until Jan, minimises the risk and puts a big incentive on Williams to get fit and play well.
