Bristol City legend Louis Carey gives his verdict on the current Robins and talisman Aden Flint Former Bristol City centre-back and captain Louis Carey has given his opinion on the current Robins side and also key central defender Aden Flint. Carey became the City's record appearance holder in December 2013, when making his 646th appearance to overtake legendary Robins striker John Atyeo, by coming on for the last three minutes at 36-years-old against Stevenage in a 4-1 win. Back at Ashton Gate recently we asked the former central defender/right-back, who now works as a coach at Southampton, what he thinks of Lee Johnson's current side. How might it compare to the team of ten years ago that made it to the play-off final under Lee's father Gary? “The league’s changed with the money now involved," said Carey. “Bristol City spending £25m or whatever it is in the last two and a half years, there’s a lot of money involved. “I think the side that we had then was youthful, energetic, it was powerful. We were giving it everything in every game for the club, ourselves and our team-mates. “But I would say there’s probably a bit more quality in this team now. “The young lads that are in there now, Joe Bryan and Bobby Reid doing tremendously this year and then the strikers that have been added to it, Jamie Paterson, the centre-backs… “There’s probably a little more overall individual quality in this team. But it’s still a building process – if it happens this year then you can never say it’s too early – but the club’s building at the moment. “I think in a couple of years if they can keep the nucleus of this team together then they’ll be a strong side,” said Carey. BristolLive also asked the former defender to assess one of the bedrocks of the current Robins outfit. ouis Carey. Carey - who scored 15 times for City in total - would have liked to have featured in the same team as goal-scoring defender Flint. “Flinty is probably someone that I would have enjoyed playing alongside because like Shaun Taylor and Jamie McCombe they were the big dominant players and I liked to read the game more. “A little man and a big man centre-half. “His abilities and what he does do, he defends the box very well. And he always offers a threat whether him directly at goal or him causing confusion in the penalty areas. “There’s no getting away from it that is his main strength: his size and his power. But he’s been great the last three or four years here. “Take the goals and size away from him and he’s surprised a lot of people with his performances for the last three or four years, especially in the Championship,” said Carey. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/bristol-city-legend-louis-carey-1484587
I didn't realise that Louis was a coach at Southampton, good luck to the bloke I hope he does well and you never know....... League - “The league’s changed with the money now involved," said Carey. “Bristol City spending £25m or whatever it is in the last two and a half years, there’s a lot of money involved. Back then - “I think the side that we had then was youthful, energetic, it was powerful. We were giving it everything in every game for the club, ourselves and our team-mates. Now - “But I would say there’s probably a bit more quality in this team now. “The young lads that are in there now, Joe Bryan and Bobby Reid doing tremendously this year and then the strikers that have been added to it, Jamie Paterson, the centre-backs… The Future - “There’s probably a little more overall individual quality in this team. But it’s still a building process – if it happens this year then you can never say it’s too early – but the club’s building at the moment. “I think in a couple of years if they can keep the nucleus of this team together then they’ll be a strong side,” said Carey.
I didn't realise Bristol City had spent £25m in the last two and a half years, that is big bucks, if Louis Carey is correct. LJ joined 6/2/16, so SL has really backed up his man, no way is LJ going any where.
It says or what ever.....and in two and a half years, that's not that much. Don't forget using the profit of Kodja & co....Maybe, should have spent more and actually got some better players in, is more to the point. Or better still, improve the academy so we grow our own.
How does that compare with the money spent by Wolves, Villa or Boro? Bournemouth got promoted by overspending and (I think) are under FFP investigation. Pound for pound considering current league position I think only Millwall have been better value for money than us this season.
Question is - how much of the money spent was on players who have improved our first eleven? We seem to have a lot of players on the bench, on loan or just not involved amongst those signed by LJ.
In another tread you say there was nothing wrong with recruitment!!! Now here City are not spending enough!!
I think you could add Brentford, Preston and possibly Sheff Utd to the list. What is concerning to all City fans is of the 30 signings how many play in the first 11 ? Arguably our most consistent and salable players are non LJ signings. It's frightening how much money has been spent on Hegeler, O'Neil, Woodrow, Eliasson, Pisano, Engvall, Diony, Kent etc etc the list is endless and now a £300k fine as well ! Not to mention the keepers brought in who can't get past the inept Fielding. The Kodjia/Bolasie money is gone forever, SL will be telling LJ to sell before we invest big time again. Flint, Pack, Reid, Korey and Bryan - It might be an interesting summer for these boys.
