BRISTOL CITY ROUND-UP: Steve Cotterill planning for the long-term claims assistant boss John Pemberton By a_stockhausen CITY assistant manager John Pemberton claims Steve Cotterill is building for the long-term future at Ashton Gate. Cotterill has already been active in the January transfer window as he attempts to replenish his squad in readiness for a relegation struggle during the second half of the season. But the former Nottingham Forest boss has so far avoided any temptation to effect a quick fix solution, preferring to make long-term acquisitions. Defender Karleigh Osborne recently signed a two-and-a-half-year contract following a successful loan spell, while striker Tyrone Barnett joined on a short-term loan from Peterborough with a view to making the move permanent in the summer. And centre-back Adam Al Abd last night became Cotterill’s latest addition when agreeing a move from Brighton and penning a deal until June 2017. Pemberton reckons all of Cotterill’s transfer dealings will be conducted with one eye on the long-term future. He said: “There is no question of a quick fix. Steve has a three and a half year contract and he wants to be here for a long time. “The signings he has made and is trying to make are all with the bigger picture in mind. “Obviously, the need to move clear of the relegation zone and to stay in League One is a pressing concern. But we are looking at going on and playing much higher than that in the future. “Steve is building something that will last and is looking at next season as well as the here and now.” SAM Baldock will be giving nothing away should his brother call him up ahead of tomorrow’s home League One clash against MK Dons. Younger sibling George is expected to be named in the Dons squad at Ashton Gate and brotherly love will be put firmly to one side for 90 minutes. Asked whether he would be speaking to his brother before the game, City captain Sam joked: “If I do, I won’t be telling him anything!” He added: “We’ll probably talk, but not about football. We definitely won’t discuss team selection or tactics.” Sam began his career with MK Dons and is a personal friend of manager Karl Robinson. City boss Steve Cotterill is sure to tap into the striker’s inside knowledge. “I know quite a bit about their team because of George and because I follow them,” said Sam. “I know the way they will set up and play and the tactics they will use, just not the personnel.” MARVIN Elliott reckons City’s recently-adopted 3-5-2 formation has made them more difficult to score against. Manager Steve Cotterill’s decision to operate with wing-backs and deploy three central defenders and Marvin Pack as a holding midfielder has certainly slowed the rate at which the Robins have conceded goals. City’s defence has been breached on just three occasions in the last four league games and midfielder Elliott confirmed: “The new shape is definitely helping us. “It suits the players we have here at the moment and the boys have taken to it quickly. “Playing with the extra midfielder has made us more solid down the spine of the team and I think we’ve improved when it comes to defending set pieces. “We’re always working on improving things on the training ground, but there is a feeling that we have made progress over the past month.” http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/BRISTO...lanning-long/story-20457290-detail/story.html
I was one of several who was a bit apprehensive when he was appointed, but Cottrell has been like a breath of fresh air through the club since he arrived- It is said, that your first 100 days is where you make your initial impression last and based upon what he has done so far, he has set the stall out very well. Once this translates to us moving up the table and to safety, I will feel even better still.
Cannot believe the difference SC has made His signings so far are impressive,and in a short time has turned us from also rans to a hard to beat side. Full respect to SC keep up the good work,long may it continue.
"His signings so far are impressive,and in a short time has turned us from also rans to a hard to beat side." ...who are still next to bottom of Div 1. Its time to turn any promise we might have into max points, or we will be in for a horrid 2014
Agree with what you all say SC has done well so far - we have a very tough series of games coming up - we must remember that and stay behind the manager
1 and 1/2 hour later full respect to SC to time to walk the plank? I can see our first defeat coming and your knife will be sharpened and ready. One thing I do know is when you was in the states we won, so you are the bad luck
We are getting there slowly, but it still needs wins not draws to get us away from all the crap around us. The likes of Crewe, Shrewsbury, Stevenage are history and will go down. For the 4th team, it's perm any one from us, Trannies, Carlisle, Oldham, Notts Co. We are still needing to get home points on the board first and foremost
