Bristol City transfer window wrap and what's next: Robins well set for season ahead Our City writer on some fine work in the transfer market by the club. The proof is of course in the pudding but City do indeed look to be reaping the benefits of a clear transfer market strategy, a coherent and well executed plan and getting in there early. Results have been good and although it makes for a boring last day of the transfer window it is refreshing to not see your club making madcap last minute market moves - and sometimes having to pay over the odds to do that. Or doing so deliberately to grab a bargain. As arguably happened the deadline day year before, in summer 2019, when City were unable to land primary striker transfer target Eddie Nketiah and then brought in Benik Afobe right at the end of the transfer window. While Afobe did okay and was unlucky with injuries, the move did not work out to the point that Afobe became a fulcrum of the club. Things are much different this time around, with the effective Chris Martin snapped up on a free early on and joined by several other smart acquisitions, all with promotions on their CVs. Alfie Mawson has the potential to be one of the best defenders in the Championship this season. Perhaps as CEO Mark Ashton explained upon Dean Holden's appointment, it was that clear and simple plan and way forward from Holden that was both what won over the City board - and that has now been carried out, reflected in a good start to the campaign. It was clear too that the transfer moves that City made were in the pipeline for a long time, even if there was some dalliance over the financials of bringing Alfie Mawson to the club (who explained upon signing that he was happy to finally put pen to paper at Ashton Gate). The five incomings have been balanced out financially by the sales of Niclas Eliasson (reportedly for more than £2m) and Sammie Szmodics and while two loans and two free transfers will include loan and signing-on fees, only a modest transfer fee was shelled out for Joe Williams. It's good business. And the team has responded and done their own business on the pitch. What's to come? There are still 11 options to play in the three central midfield options. That's too many - and someone may yet fly from the nest - but then there are injuries to cater for currently. Andi Weimann Jamie Paterson Tyreeq Bakinson Joe Williams Liam Walsh Joe Morrell Chris Brunt Callum O'Dowda Han-Noah Massengo Kasey Palmer Adam Nagy Bristol Live understands that the club are relaxed on their midfield options, and while they are open to trimming the midfield ranks they will take into account what the players themselves want to do. The club has several injuries in midfield currently and the numbers there insure against a loss of manpower. However, there may yet be 'one or two' outgoings before the UK domestic transfer window closes on Friday October 16. The club will also now look to tie down key players onto new contracts, such as Jamie Paterson, Liam Walsh and Famara Diedhiou, though the striker's talks on a new deal have stalled. Any injury crisis in defence could be mitigated by a free transfer signing, re-positioning of a midfielder such as Brunt or Bakinson. or brief promotion of an U23s player. And January? We'll see how the team progresses but if you were looking how to further upgrade then arguably City could reinforce with more quality on both flanks with new wing-backs. A watching brief over the back three may continue - especially if there are any further long-term injuries to the central defenders. But when all fit, City have good options for their back three. There is strength in depth throughout the squad and the intrigue of seeing just how well Bakinson and Antoine Semenyo can do this season. Mark out of 10? 8 Bristol City's strength in depth Goalkeepers Dan Bentley Max O'Leary Jojo Wollacott Central defenders Tomas Kalas Alfie Mawson Nathan Baker Taylor Moore Zak Vyner Wing backs Jack Hunt Jay Dasilva Tommy Rowe Steven Sessegnon Central midfielders Andi Weimann (also covers in attack) Jamie Paterson Tyreeq Bakinson Joe Williams Liam Walsh Joe Morrell Chris Brunt Callum O'Dowda (also covers at wing-back) Han-Noah Massengo Kasey Palmer Adam Nagy Strikers Nahki Wells Famara Diedhiou Antoine Semenyo Chris Martin https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/bristol-city-transfer-window-wrap-4580226
The most organised, professional and satisfactory transfer window in 4 plus years, now it's a case of trust in the new way. I like it.
Despite all my misgivings about Holdens appointment, and the general and understandable unhappiness on here when much higher profile names were being linked with us for the Managers job, it's working out brilliantly so far. Whether that's because Mark Ashton and the Lansdowns really do know what they're doing (hmmmm) or whether it's down to blind good luck it doesn't really matter. Up The City
My only question would be Jamie Paterson central midfielder?, not for me we saw the results of that last season, he is a number and only a number 10 for me, something Weimann, O'Dowda, Walsh and probably Morrell can fill in with as well if needs be.
Absolutely agree, be even better if we could shed a few Nagy, Diedhiou and Massengo out on loan, come to mind.
With all the same old names that were rattled about for the managers job, I'm actually happy that DH got a stab at it...I quite liked the self belief he has. I do believe that the transfer market is like no other, mainly because of Covid......but we've done well to fill in the gaps and so far so good it's looking a bit more gel like.......but we've had 4 wins and of course the test for the players & the manager is how we pick ourselves up following a defeat..... Squad looks decent, the managers on a high, we're top of the table......what's not to like!! I hope we can keep it up..
There has always been something to be said for promoting from within, if and it's a big if, it's done properly, in a way that Liverpool achieved it through their legendary boot room from Shankly through to ***an. A system where everybody was aware of who the next manager was going to be and that person is being properly groomed ready for a seamless transfer, when necessary. Maybe deviating from that process is why they waited so long for another championship. I suppose the problem is in this less than honourable world we now live in and managers are changed at the drop of a hat, grooming your replacement is a dangerous thing to do, because they can be holding back and back stabbing you at every opportunity. Cynical I know, but in my previous life, I certainly noticed that loyalty started to be in short supply and brown nosing, back stabbing and grassing, came in with a younger generation in my line of work, luckily I never had to put up with it for very long.
We have lost twice in Holdens reign already and he’s seemed to have bounced back both times. I know the one this season was a second team ish but in fairness we bounced back well there.
