Get the lowdown on the Robins
FOR THE second season running, Bristol City got through two managers with rumoured one-time Hornet’s target, Derek ‘Del Boy’ McInnes, seeing out the campaign with the West Country outfit after former ‘Orn Keith Millen was sacked.
It was far from a classic campaign for the Ashton Gate men who finished in a safe but ultimately disappointing 20th-place in the Championship.
McInnes has wasted no time in improving last season’s squad as City look to climb back toward the upper reaches of the division, something they’ve not achieved since the days of Gary Johnson. David James has departed along with fellow experienced campaigners Jamie McAllister and Jamal Campbell-Ryce whilst Jody Morris is the only player over 26 to arrive so far this summer.
Strengths: The wide areas of Bristol City’s squad look very, very dangerous. With former Barnet pair Albert Adomah and Yannick Bolasie already on the books, McInnes has moved to add further creative spark by signing former Nottingham Forest winger Paul Anderson on a free transfer.
Weakness’: It’s been said by me that goals have been a problem for a couple of sides in the division this year but it cannot be truer of anyone than Bristol City. Second-lowest scorers in the whole division last term with a measly 44, second only to bottom of the pile Doncaster Rovers (43).
Best business so far: Former Liverpool trainee Anderson is a classy act out wide, so long as he can enjoy a run of games. I for one am surprised that Forest let the 24 year-old’s contract expire after 92 appearances in three years at the City Ground. If there was a criticism of the former Hull and Swansea man it would be his lack of goal input from the wide areas.
Star man: Pacey winger Adomah, believed to be a target for Watford before Bristol City stepped in to sign him, has taken to Championship football like a duck to water.
In just his second season with City the 24 year-old flyer has made over 90 appearances scoring 10 goals along the way. Blessed with blistering pace, the Lambeth-born attacker holds both British and Ghanaian passports.
In: Jody Morris (St. Johnstone) free, Gregory Cunningham (Manchester City) free, Paul Anderson (Nottingham Forest) free & Tom Heaton (Cardiff City) free.
Out: Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Jamie McAllister, David James, David Clarkson, Marlon Jackson & Christian Ribeiro (all released).
Prediction:
wfc: Relegation. Not good enough, hard to see where the goals will come from & a worrying underlying trend from last season under ‘Del Boy’ McInnes.
Bottom half finishers.. A little better than last season, but not much…
Agreed.