Bristol City: Derek McInnes hints at major player changes before next season

“Whilst restructuring ensure we sort out the contracts of Skuse, Stead & Pitman-No more Maynard situations.”

“Personality clash / egos etc - who says McCoist is in the right? Might just need man-managing.

Take your point on injury though - the Sean Davies signing wasn't the cleverest ...”

“by Vonner

Before you get to excited about Lafferty, check out his injury/appearance record.Then look at why he's fallen out with McCoist.”

“Any truth in the rumour we are going after Kyle Lafferty from the Gers, D Macs old club? That would be one of the few Scottish signings I'd be excited about...”

“again i have to agree with the wise assessments off the needs on AND OFF the pitch posted here. i did something similar on the barnsley game report

its all about identifying the 'targets' and getting the deals done EARLY. plus a well put together pre-season where the team and squad hit the ground running. we haven't done that in years, as too many pre-seasons were a shambles

we need more pace up front via a 'dead eye' 20 goals a season striker, a passer to supply the 'ammo' from midfield, a quick left back, and a real 'nasty' dude in central defence - i think we've seen HIM in the last few games.

i think mr lansdown snr is going to have a VERY busy summer. i want him 'hands on' along with his manager, not his acolytes and the 'brandspeak' invisibles”

“We have the makings of a decent squad:

GK - Gerken (took his chance well)
DF - Fountaine (could have gone to Southampton remember)
DF - Nyatanga (ok for the squad)
DF - Amouga (again if he would sign)
DF - Carey (solid squad player)
MD - Elliott
MD - Kilkenny
MD - Cisse (if he signs)
MD - Skuse
MD - Adomah
MD - Bolasie
ST - Stead
ST - Pitman (coudl shine now Maynard gone for good)

thats not a bad bunch of players for starters, let alone a couple of the young guys who made fleating appearances. Another top striker would be good, maybe try somebody from the lower leagues (look how Lambert has done since leaving Rovers!), and we need some pace in defense and a creative midfielder, but its not all bad really.

We just had far to many players on the books this season, too many injurys to key players, too many loan players coupled with an awful start to the season.

PS The lack of locak young players coming through should be the biggest concern to the club. If a good player comes through ultimately it can swell the coffers if a gem is found, but means we dont have to waste money on journeyman”

“@Jeffo,

Good comment re Evatt, i said at the time he joined Blackpool that we should have signed him. I also said the same about Mark Hudson before he went to Cardiff. Its no good trying to build a defence "on the cheap" we need quality back there which will give the rest of the team confidence to press forward. Im sure McInnes understand that whereas he predesessors did not seem to take it a seriously.”

“Getting rid of players isnt the hard part but balancing the books and bringing in the much need quality will be. This squad has some capability but now we really need to recruit in the key positions to be able to push on. I think it shows how bad some of our players are when we sign two central defenders, who cant even get into their Championship first 11 on loan, and they look like class players.

In essence, we need a goal keeper, a left back, a centre back (possibly two) and a striker. Im not one of these who believe that the midfield needs changing just yet as i think McInnes will adopt a 4-3-3 again next a season and we have the players here for that already. We need to sign Pearson up as he is key to this.

I have been saying for years that the academy needs overhauling and I hope that happens. If a club like Crewe, who are surrounded by Premier League Giants, can still attract and produce quality youth players then we should be able too also. No excuses.

Rebuilding this team is no easy task and people should not expect miracles. I believe if we are pushing for play off places next season then its a job very well done. Rome wasnt built in a day.

Lets be patient, understanding and most of all supportive to protect the future of this club going forward.

Up the Reds!”

“Re: Redrocky

Spot on! And I echo JohnJames express, too: " no sentiment, utter ruthlessness" is a priority!

There are some very serious lessons to be learnt from this debacle-of-a season, and it was too much of a close-call that we didn't join Doncaster and Coventry (Portsmouth were appallingly unlucky - but their misfortune off-the-field was our gain, though I hope they bounce back at their first attempt).

Although the BEP article concentrates on surveying the players that McInness will have at his disposal next season - and Redrocky highlights those players that will aid the cause, and those that we have long-dubbed "deadwood" - we would all hope that Steve Lansdown will undertake his own behind-the-scenes review of personnel who are running the club since his departure.

I always held doubts about Millen's limited managerial ability at his level, and I was relieved when he was sacked. Although he was ultimately responsible for the team's (largely) dire performances throughout his tenure, and he rightly paid the ultimate price, you're left wondering whether he should be the only one singled-out for criticism.

The club appears to have the resources to attract top-names such as Coppell and James, harbour ambitions for a multi-million pound stadium project and run a White-Elephant Academy! I accept that the Coppell episode was a shambles - but we tempted down to BS3 all the same. The same applies to James. Neither were cheap! Equally, the stadium and the Academy!

Mr Lansdown, your generosity and financial largesse to the club cannot be measured, and we are all immensely grateful. But, I would hope that your review of the club's dreadful season will also take into account the behind-the-scenes infrastructure of the club - i.e. finance, commercial, marketing, etc - and perhaps some pertinent questions should be addressed, such as:

" Since your departure, are the guardians you appointed fit-for-purpose? "

Perhaps Millen wasn't solely responsible for recent events...”

“As important in the close season is sorting the players who have only one year to run to avoid another Maynard situation. Stead and Marv are 2, and Pitman (assuming Delboy thinks hes worthy) another. A period of change is forced on us both because of form but also due to the number of players out of contract, but once this is sorted we will only progress with stability around the playing staff, and the club in general.”