The players Bristol City will be safeguarding the most during the January transfer window Which of Lee Johnson's Bristol City players could be drumming up interest ahead of the transfer window? As the January transfer window edges closer, so football fans up and down the country are increasingly engaging in speculation as to which players their respective clubs might sign. Bristol City supporters are no exception and many have already taken to various social media forums in order to discuss the team's needs as the mid-point of the season approaches. Chatter has invariably focused around City's on-going requirement for an out-and-out striker to provide competition and cover for top-scorer Tammy Abraham. please log in to view this image But there is a flip side to that particular coin and, as well as pushing out the boat to fund new recruits, head coach Lee Johnson and chief operating officer Mark Ashton will be just as intent upon retaining the services of their best players. City's impressive start to the Championship campaign – the Robins occupy the fourth and final play-off berth after 15 games – has brought their performances to the attention of rivals, and it seems reasonable to assume that certain key individuals will attract unwanted interest among bigger and wealthier clubs. Here are five players City simply have to keep beyond January if they are to challenge for the play-offs this season. Aden Flint (defender) please log in to view this image One of the first names on the team sheet every week, the big centre half has become integral to City's success, first in regaining their Championship status and then in helping them establish themselves in the second tier. The recipient of a player of the month award in the Spring, Flint's dominant performances at the heart of City's back four have attracted interest from rival clubs. Although Ashton Gate sources claim no firm offers were received for the 6ft 5in defender in the summer, there was interest shown by Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion and Everton, while Brighton made discreet enquiries towards the end of the last transfer window. A pivotal figure at the base of the team's spine, the former Swindon man has put a series of costly mistakes behind him and returned to the kind of consistent form that won him so many admirers last season. Even though every player has his price, as demonstrated when City sold Jonathan Kodjia to Aston Villa, the reasons for retaining the services of their best defender are compelling. Marlon Pack (midfielder) please log in to view this image The subject of media speculation regarding his future towards the end of last season and during the summer recess, Pack recently penned a contract extension at Ashton Gate. That could prove sound business on the part of head coach Lee Johnson, who fully appreciates the midfielder's worth to the team. An improving player, Pack established himself as a consistent performer in the Championship during the second half of last season and has built upon that success this term. When deployed as a holding midfielder, his physical attributes and competitive nature afford the back four vital protection, while his ability to use the ball efficiently render him an important component whenever City turn over possession and seek to counter attack. A perfect foil for fellow central midfielders Gary O'Neil and Korey Smith, he is another whose services must be retained at all costs. Bobby Reid (midfielder) please log in to view this image One of City's stand-out players this season, the Bristolian is maturing into a proven Championship performer and his displays are sure to have been noticed by rival managers and scouts. Under the tutelage of head coach Lee Johnson, himself a central midfielder during his playing days, Reid has added goals to his game this term, netting four times in 18 appearances, including a dramatic late winner against Wigan and a last-gasp equaliser at Rotherham. Despite his small size, the Academy product has shown he can mix it in the English second tier and it is not beyond the realms of possibility that a Championship rival could test City's resolve with an offer when the transfer window reopens. Given that Reid has the potential to improve further, especially if surrounded by top quality players, he could be an attractive proposition for bigger clubs. Joe Bryan (left-back) please log in to view this image In and out of the starting line-up this season, the Bristolian has nevertheless established his credentials as a reliable performer at this level. Still learning his role as a fast-raiding left-back, Bryan is at an age where his best years are still in front of him. Previously scouted by Premier League Everton, he has been described as a "top-flight left-back in the making" by City head coach Lee Johnson himself. The defensive side of Bryan's game has improved to the point whereby a big Championship club or even a Premier League outfit might be persuaded to take a punt on his potential. Again, City must keep their best young players if Johnson's youthful team is to realise its full potential in the mid-term. Lee Tomlin (attacking midfielder) please log in to view this image He may have penned a three-year deal when joining the Robins from Bournemouth last summer, but City's talismanic attacking midfielder still harbours ambitions to play Premier League football. There is no doubting Tomlin's ability to influence games at Championship level and he remains City's go-too man when it comes to creating goal-scoring opportunities. Although it will cost them a significant sum, a struggling Premier League club, in need of additional goals and creativity, could be persuaded to come in for the former Peterborough and Middlesbrough raider. Tomlin is such an important player for the Robins, that it is inconceivable that those responsible for the day-to-day running of the club would sanction his sale. But that may not deter bigger clubs from at least making enquiries as January looms large. http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/the-pl...nsfer-window/story-29859003-detail/story.html
Just a copy and paste from the local rag but it is food for thought on a quiet November day. My own thoughts are although it takes 11 men to make a team, Lee Tomlin is the heartbeat and pulse in our team, in fact the top man and it would be suicide if we let him go for a good profit. So let's invest in a new striker but we must keep our team and it 's stars together, including our cracking head coach..
Funny old game footy,for me there are only three above that are starters, that being Flint and Tomlin, and Tammy.
The day that Flinty moves on and up will arrive some time in the next two years methinks, unless we move up as a club which most of us would want. Moore is waiting in the wings and he is a special talent. Then eventually he will do likewise of course, but those days are in the future. If City do make it to the Premiership then we will probably keep both (not forgetting one Gary Collier) and introduce top level experience to augment the raw talent we already have. That is why gained membership to the officer's club of football is not only a good idea, its a prerequisite of development - the means to hang on to most of your players. Unless of course one among them turns out to be a world-beater….
Other teams had the chance to come in for Tomlin before we signed him, but they didn't. That makes me hopeful that there wont be new interest in him come January. A new striker is a must have with one eye on the future and Tammy's return to Chelsea in a few months.
Striker is key for us. Tammy will go back next year and Wilbs cant do it forever. Back up needed in January I would say.
we got him quite early, but on what deal? if as rumour said... he was paid a salary disguised within his fee then how does that work out!
