Bristol City's transfer hit and misses. please log in to view this image Luke Freeman. WHETHER you love it or hate it, there will no escaping the all-pervading influence of football’s January transfer window please log in to view this image over the course of the next four-and-a-half weeks. Introduced in Europe by FIFA in 2002, the mid-winter market in players has become an established part of the professional game in this country. Advertisement Trading is habitually accompanied by feverish media speculation as journalists, aided and abetted by agents, bid to be the first to break the big stories. While Bristol City may operate on an altogether more modest scale than the Premier League big-guns, comings and goings at Ashton Gate between January 3 and February 2 will nevertheless be closely monitored by expectant supporters. Robins’ manager Steve Cotterill has made no secret of his desire to replenish a relatively small squad and a busy month of trading appears to be on the cards in BS3. Majority shareholder Steve Lansdown boasts a long-standing track record when it comes to backing his managers in the transfer market and there is no reason to suggest things will be any different this January. With the window about to open, this is perhaps a good time to look back at Cotterill’s dealings during his first year in charge and assess his performance in the market-place. Karleigh Osborne: Signed on loan by Sean O’Driscoll, the central defender penned a permanent deal for Cotterill and played an integral part in helping City pull clear of trouble during the second half of last season. Injured in pre-season, he has since lost his place and has yet to feature in a League game this term. JURY OUT Adam El-Abd: Recruited from Brighton to address a shortage of centre halves, the veteran campaigner was handed a three-year deal. Poor form caused him to lose his place in April and he has since been loaned to Bury after failing to break back into the first team this season. MISS Tyrone Barnett: Loaned from Peterborough in January, the big striker was outstanding in a notable 3-1 victory at Orient.But good performances please log in to view this image were few and far between and he failed to make much of an impact. MISS Simon Gillett: One of Cotterill’s first acts as manager was to extend the midfielder’s loan until the end of the season. Consistent performances in a midfield holding role saw Gillett emerge as a key player in City’s strong finish to last season. HIT Simon Moore: Goalkeeper signed on loan from Cardiff, who made a positive impact following a shaky start. Contributed to a growing number of clean sheets during final stages of last season. HIT Nyron Nosworthy: Signed on loan to provide defensive cover in March, the big Jamaican proved a major success at the heart of a back three that helped City move clear of trouble and finish in the top half. HIT Martin Paterson: Loaned from Huddersfield, the mobile striker only made six appearances, but scored one goal and created several more for strike partner Sam Baldock. HIT Wade Elliot: Handed a one-year deal following a successful loan spell at the end of last season, the experienced midfielder has since been made captain and established himself as an influential figure in the dressing room. HIT Mark Little: Recruited on a free transfer from Peterborough, he has been one of City’s most consistent performers. Has made right wing-back berth his own, using strength and pace to provide numerous assists. HIT Korey Smith: Since arriving from Oldham for an undisclosed fee, the midfielder has become City’s Mr Consistent, producing a series of stellar performances. Already a crucial component in Cotterill’s team. HIT Luke Freeman: Cotterill missed out on the former Arsenal man in January, but was successful in the summer, since when he has reinvented Freeman as a central midfielder. Bags of ability and a real fans’ favourite. HIT Luke Ayling: Signed as a free agent from Yeovil, the Londoner has transformed the way City play out from the back. A few question marks over his defending, but no disputing his ability on the ball and athleticism. HIT Aaron Wilbraham: A free transfer from Crystal Palace, the veteran forward has been an overnight sensation, scoring 13 goals during the first half of the season. Vastly experienced, he is a good influence on the younger players. HIT Kieran Agard: A bargain buy at £750,000 from Rotherham, the striker has hit the ground running at City, scoring eight goals and forming a formidable partnership with Aaron Wilbraham. Always works hard for the team. HIT Matt Smith: Lack of fitness hampered the loan signing from Fulham to begin with, but three goals in his last two appearances suggest the striker is at last returning to something approaching his best. JURY OUT Todd Kane: Has only started twice since arriving on loan from Chelsea, but did well enough in a midfield role to suggest he could become a useful asset. Versatile type who can play in several positions. JURY OUT Read more: http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Bristol-City-s-transfer-hit-misses/story-25787612-detail/story.html#ixzz3NYkvMv5X
Yes, when I read this in the paper I agreed with nearly all - not sure Paterson was a hit? It does show that Cotts has got his recruitment right
He is very good at getting the right players. I'm not 100% convinced of his ability to change tactics in a game but he knows how to set up a team.
I liked Paterson, he worked well with Baldock. I think that's when Baldock had a real purple streak when the opposing teams also had Patterson to think about.
Patterson a miss for me, haven't heard him do much since-otherwise the only one I would say he didn't quite get right was El Abd but considering his past and the reviews he got fro Brighton fans, I was surprised that he just didn't fit
Patterson more of a miss that a hit for me but he was part of a team that helped keep us up and one that looked very good so for that reason I can understand why he was a hit, also don't agree with the "JURY OUT" for Osborne... We know he's good, what we don't know is why he isn't playing. He can't have been injured all this time and surely Cotts rated him higher than El-Abd...I can understand why he cant get in the starting 11 as it is because the back 3 are all phenomenal. Hope this isn't the end of his City career though, He'll be great back up in the championship (should we get there!)
