We are not in need of anymore ‘young whipper-snappers’

As we all know it is the season of good will, it is however hard to conjure up that feeling of joy when pontificating as to how to portray this weeks thoughts regarding the team that I adore.

The statistics read badly, really badly actually and there are various ways in which you can portray said statistics to reflect on how baldy you exactly want them to look. Two wins in twelve games, six losses out of seven. The possibilities go on.

But, giving it is the season to be cheerful I will try and draw some positives from City’s current plight. Firstly, we lay 16th in the Championship table and are a healthy 7 points away from the dreaded relegation zone.

Despite loosing a worrying amount of those twelve games, eight, our heaviest loss was the 2-0 defeat at Ashton Gate to a quality Brighton side that look set for promotion. All other defeats have been by a one goal margin and although that in itself is quite frustrating it does suggest that things are not quite as catastrophic, just yet at least, as some are suggesting.

One thing that I am sure that all City fans can agree on however is the need for some new players, and fast. Mark Ashton, Lee Johnson and other members of the board have hopefully been working hard on recruitment in recent weeks and I’d like to see us one or two early on in the impending transfer window rather than a flurry of late signings as seen last year.

We know January is not the best time to recruit but as needs must it will have to do. I have been encouraged by the noises being made by Johnson as to where in the squad he’d like to strengthen.

I agree with him that we are not in need of anymore ‘young whipper-snappers’ as we have several, maybe too many, who already fit that bill in our current playing squad. As highlighted by the Johnson we need first team players that can off some athleticism and physicality.

As has been alluded to before by me and many others the first area I think we need to strengthen in is up front. I do feel for Tammy Abraham who is having shoulder far too much of the responsibility by himself. It won’t be easy to find the right ‘type’ of player but I would say we could much worse than poaching Rovers Matt Taylor, although, I’m sure that suggestion won’t endear me to either Rovers or City fans.

Johnson was also right to suggest that he would jump at the chance of signing a ‘Kalifa Cisse type’ player. For those of you who don’t remember him Cisse played for us from 2010-2012 and gained a strong reputation for his hard tackling physical manner in which he dominated the middle of the park.

I would also suggest we need a new right-back. I’ve spent too much time discussing the departure of Luke Ayling and the, in my view, ludicrous nature of it that I will just leave that one there. I do however wish to congratulate Luke on his performances for a Leeds side that are doing really well under the stewardship of Gary Monk.

So there we are. That’s my Christmas wish list. Three players please Santa. Let’s see what you can come up with!. Marry Christmas to all City fans and good luck to the thousand plus fans heading up to Wolverhampton on boxing day.

Dave Skinner is Bristol24/7’s Bristol City columnist for the 2016/17 season.

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