Full transcript as Lee Johnson discusses transfer plans, potential departures and learning from mistakes The Robins gaffer has spoken about the a potentially exciting transfer window Bristol City boss Lee Johnson has given the latest update on his plans for the summer transfer window at today's pre-Sheffield United press conference. The Robins head coach was asked by BristolLive about the shorter window and what City fans can expect to happen in the upcoming market. Here's every word from the gaffer on transfers. Could it be an exciting window potentially with the club able to spend? "Absolutely. I think we've got ourselves in a position - and that's the beauty of it - where what we've done over the last few years is create real value in the squad. We created value in terms of raising the profile of the individuals, we've created value in the squad via our improved league position and we've created value in the players from coaching them to be better than they were originally. "What it means is that if a player leaves us then it will be on our terms and that money will be able to be reinvested to make the club better, which is probably me articulating it better than I did last time [when we asked Lee Johnson two weeks ago], given the headline. "And that's the key. In any team you get icons and idols and everybody looking at them. But it doesn't mean that next year there won't be a new icon if we did lose someone. "And I'm not saying we will. The players who are out of contract [in 2019] we'll be in talks with if not already then we will be pretty much. So therefore we could step into next season with exactly the same squad as we've got this season. "If we don't we've got to see it as an opportunity to tweak the Rubik's Cube if you like to make sure we become even more efficient in our play and have got more quality and particularly to bring in the right characters to communicate as leaders that absolutely help the young players flourish. "Because what I'm really pleased with, what we've already got is all the way down to under-16 level we've got at least one or two players in each position who could become Championship quality, regular players. "And three or four Premier League level. "And there's a clear pathway. So what that's doing is driving a clear energy from behind that first team and players know that they;re going out on loan to test themselves to see if they can be Championship-level - the fifth best league in the world - players and if they can produce consistently and win awards then of course it aids their case to come back and influence the first team." On the shorter window... "Yep, without a doubt. That will make it frantic - the time will be reduced and more than likely I'll be in the pool with my headphones on, hands free and taking calls. Same transfer policy as before? Value from abroad or tried-and-tested from the Championship or lower league shopping? I think you look at every situation on its merits - what you've got in the squad. What's below the squad. You're very conscious at this club to not block up a pathway. The situation will be determined by the big picture and we'll make as many right decisions as we can within our resources with the way the owner sets the tone for the way he wants to move forward and I'll do that to the best of my ability with the recruitment staff. How is recruitment made? Do you get the final say? Is there a new Head of International Scouting yet? "All those questions are for Mark - he's the CEO. For me yes, I'm talent ID with the recruitment staff. There are difficulties with that - every player we've brought in hasn't really been proven in the Championship. "And that comes down to a number of things that I don't need to talk about now but everybody knows. It's like in your house you have a certain budget and you try and fill your week's food and spend it within that budget and we're the same. "We'll learn from our mistakes and we'll continue to make good decisions on the ones that we've got right." https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport...full-transcript-lee-johnson-discusses-1530809
I can't understand that answer, he is secure, he has taken us to our highest finish in years, the players, coaches and ways of playing are his, he has the security of Lansdown around him, why would he give all of that up for a fellow Championship club on the way down.
Can't see it personally, why leave the security he undoubtedly has here to build gradually to a position where chances are 6 months later he's likely to be out on his ear , ask Chris Coleman.
I think LJ will go if offered the job, absolutely no doubt. After bringing 30 players to City, he above all will know he's struggling. So much so he has to offload our so called 'Crown Jewels'. It will be interesting how the summer pans out because if he does sell 3 or 4, that he had nothing to do with their recruitment, then as I've said before LJ is on a hiding to nothing. He shouldn't moan, he stands or falls, by his record - time will tell. Ps - Don't tell 1For I've dusted off my banner.
I think Lee is in a very fortunate job where he has unfettered support from his boss, and let's face it who in these times of managerial culling wouldn't want that kind of job security, but there surely has to be some accountability at some time or another for all that are on that path. He clearly stated on his appointment that all he needed was just 3 transfer windows to put us on course and although we had an early measure of success the gloss of those heady days soon wore off and we reverted to the old City that we had become used to supporting. In reality when looking at hiring a new manager, like West Brom, you surely have to look at the entire resume, and not what the candidate achieved over a month or so, but if Lee is offered the job then he should probably grab it with both hands because it would offer him the chance at a so called bigger club. Surely by accepting, if offered, the job at The Hawthorns then he must be aware that he would be judged from day one and certainly would not be given the freedom of the Midlands should he keep a similar record as he has down in Bristol. Looking at the scenario from a gut check point of view he would be mad to accept, given his gold status by Lansdown, or does he have it in his mind that he is on the trail to the last chance saloon and heading for the hills might be his best option? A summer of promises is on the cards I think and I have gone past caring about what happens, or not, to Lee Johnson because my focus is Bristol City as a team and not the individual pieces.
With hindsight I am actually glad that we stuck with Lee last season. I wanted him gone after ‘that’ disastrous run, but (completely to my surprise - and delight) getting rid of Pembo seemed to be the turnaround. The first half of the season was fantastic and I will always remember the Man U game - even if we do one day reach the Prem and playing them becomes BAU. The January acquisitions are my main concern - I thought of Ashton as a very shrewd businessman but there is no doubt that whilst other teams strengthened in January we bought duds. I suppose the good thing is that they were loans in the main so we can just send them back, but nonetheless it worries me that we will probably lose Bryan and Reid - for a (hopefully) tidy sum - then may blow it on another Diony or similar. I try and take comfort in the fact that we were predicted to struggle this season and especially without Tammy nobody knew where the goals would come from, so this season has still been a success for me. Not complacent though - worrying times ahead - which - be in NO DOUBT - will not suddenly become ‘great’ overnight if LJ goes and a replacement takes over. It’s not the Bristol City way of doing things.
And just for the record very costly loans, costly in both fiscal and performance loans. And of course a costly £300k fine.
Your position at Christmas counts for nothing. You see when it come to league football you need to play each team twice home and away so your position only counts at the end of the season.
If the Ryan Kent that went to Barnsley last season turned up here you would be saying penalty clause was peanuts. But unfortunately we got the Ryan Kent who couldn’t be bothered and didn’t really want to be here. Diony last season was a really good player so likewise as Kent we could of had a really good player. I bet you’re loving this years performance, because you really are a “I told you so” man. I’m not Johnson in or out, but you really harp on about money like it’s yours. When in fairness I thought you would never go again so technically not a penny of yours has been spent this season on duds or successes.
ROD, if we'd got to the play offs or even promoted I don't think you would have said 'I told you so'. So I won't say the same because we haven't . LJ will stand or fall by his record. I'm returning from Portugal tomorrow and just been told the ba***rd French Air Controllers are on strike. Hope you have your fingers crossed for me.
