He's a star in L1 and there's no doubt about it, but there have been so many players from that division over the years over the years that have made the step up and then its found they don't have what it takes. I'd like to see us give it a go with him though as I think he might just be a good 'un.
Depends on the price. I don't think we should pay more than £4-5m for him, as he is unproven at Championship level. I guess the EFL hub don't think we have any chance of going up this season, then?
Not sure about our ambition. Bloody hell City are in a real chance of the play offs and then 3 games from the Prem. City will need to set their sights a lot higher if we make it.
That's another interesting scenario though RP. If we made it, would we splash the Sky money on real Premiership star quality players, or would we do a 'Burnley' for want of a better example, and try and make do with a squad of decent pro's with no big time Charlies ?
There is no correct method, look at Fulham last season and Villa this season, spent big and one did, one likely to get relegated. Whereas Cardiff and Norwich basically did nothing and banked the money and also got relegated, but presumably will be more financially stable?
I think LJ has been very lucky, he has a boss like Steve Lansdown, who has given a fortune developing the stadium, training ground, technical facilities, given financial backing and allowing coaching, medical, support and scientific staff to be appointed at record levels, has a senior manager in Mark Ashton guiding and advising him, has been allowed to invest millions in new player signings, loan signings at a record level, higher than any of his predecessors and a fan base that has stuck by him through all of his 4 seasons. With all of the wealth, support, expertise and time he has had what have we got to show for it, an average of 3/4 places per season progress, a couple of giant killing acts early on but no honours, no promotions, not even a play off spot to date. I reckon the boy has been extremely lucky.
I agree, any manager who has backing like that is very fortunate. Steve Landsdown has generally always backed the manager with funding where he can, and as the managers prove themselves and improve the clubs standing, as LJ has, it allows him to release even more. As and when LJ leaves, if we are still in a good position and doing well year over year, his successor will be equally fortunate to have a Chairman willing to invest. In fact, a new manager may well get more now that the ground and facilities upgrades are finished!
The only way that is LJ is lucky is the same as we are as a fan base to have such a tolerant benefactor in charge of our club
I don’t think SL rebuilt the ground and training ground just for LJ. If you believe he done all this for LJ then take a look at Bristol Bears training facility. Because as far as I know LJ is nothing to do with the rugby set up.
SL would’ve done the same for any manager he trusted & who plays by his rules, ie buy players that have a sale on value , improve them & sale them on for a profit , whilst season on season improving our league position, In fairness to LJ he’s achieved all those criteria. It will see how the rest of the season pans out & what the consequences will be if we fail to finish higher than last season. I suspect Covid-19 and the consequences for the championship in general may have bought LJ a lifeline should he fail, as I’m not sure now would be a good time to unsettle things even more than they are going to be anyway, only time will tell.
I didn't suggest SL built the ground for LJ, I said he was luckly to have a boss like SL who had invested a fortune developing the stadium, all facilities and structures, financed huge increases in manpower to support his stewardship, has a senior manager (MA) specifically for Bristol City FC development, has been allowed to invest millions in new player signings, loan signings at a record level, higher than any of his predecessors and a fan base that has stuck by him through all of his 4 seasons. I firmly believe SL has supported LJ beyond belief, most other owners would have sacked him 2 or 3 times for some of the periods of results he has achieved, SL has been a magnificent boss for very little return with LJ. I hope he gains us promotion for SL and all Bristol City Fans, if he doesn't he will have a ready made excuse with this virus and judging by his history he will go crying to SL using it.
Yeah very little return apart from year on year progression, a run to a major cup semi-final, and players sold for millions
luck as nothing to do with it..... he did it, [SL] the same way as HL conducted their early business you take a person who has not been influenced by "years of " other company or their own "bad habits" SL took someone relatively "fresh" and moulded them the way they [ board] wished to proceed. A lot of car manufacturers will not take on other ex employee's because they have /may have bad habits [ work methods ]
How did this post change from being about a potential City signing to yet another have a dig at LJ thread.....
