With the January transfer window open and Bristol City currently sitting just three points above the relegation zone in the Championship, the Robins will be keen to make signings to prevent a late season relegation battle.
Nigel Pearson’s side have won just one of their last 12 matches in all competitions, and there have been rumours that star men Alex Scott and Antoine Semenyo could leave the West Country for the Premier League.
Prior to Sunday’s FA Cup draw with Swansea City, Robins fans gave their opinions on where they’d like to see the Robins strengthen before the deadline hits.
“A striker and a centre-back,” Paul Jackson said. “Strikers are really hard to get, everyone’s after a striker aren’t they. Tom Ince would be nice from Reading but we would never get him. A centre back too, someone from the Premier League on loan, (Jan) Bednarek perhaps? I mean we did really well with (Tyrone) Mings, so I think we should loan someone in.”
At the start of the season, the Robins netted 19 goals in their first eight games in all competitions this campaign, but their striker’s form has dipped in recent months. In City’s last 12 matches, they have found the back of the net just nine times and failed to score five times.
Graeme Davis agreed that Pearson should look to recruit up top, but also drew attention to another position where the Robins should strengthen.
“Definitely up front to put the ball in the back of the net. We get it in the box all the time but we’re not scoring. Somebody strong in midfield too,” he said.
City’s midfield can get overrun at times, but their 5-2-1-2 system no doubt plays a big part in that. Their shift to 4-3-3 in Sunday’s draw provided a much more stable and potent midfield, and Pearson hinted that he may utilise the formation going forward.
However, not all supporters were keen on recruiting a defender. Jimmy Hilden said: “Realistically, I don’t think we need a defender. We’ve got enough defenders and individually they’re all good players. I think a creative midfielder.
“Reda Khadra’s a good shout, I think it’s about finding that player that’s going to be available and that’s where the difficulty lies with the lack of finances in the club at the moment.”
City have been linked with Khadra of late, and it remains to be seen where his future lies.
City’s poor finances may hold them back from recruiting as they’d like to this January, but Pearson has hinted in the past of swap deals and loans in order to combat that.
With City’s most recent form and performance level more to fans’ expectations, it will be interesting to see what business, if any, is done before the deadline at 11 PM on Tuesday, January 31.
