Bristol City boss McInnes lodges bids for new players
Frustrated by his team's continuing failure to keep a clean sheet, Bristol City manager Derek McInnes says he is trying to resolve defensive weaknesses in the transfer market this month.
Clearly upset by the manner in which the Robins exited the FA Cup third round, beaten 2-0 by Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, the Scot revealed he has been busy on the phone in a bid to bolster his squad.
In the market for both permanent and loan signings, he said: "Two or three offers have gone in for players and we will see what comes of that.
"It would be wrong of me to say who they are at this minute in time, because we are waiting for responses. But we are actively working to bring players to the club.
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"We have identified a few players to move on and, hopefully, that will create the room to bring a few in.
"We are actively trying to bring players in who can help the situation and enable us to approach the second half of the campaign with more confidence and get the job done."
Goals from Danny Murphy and Grant Hanley in either half put paid to City's quest to progress beyond the third round for the first time since 2007.
Referring to Blackburn's second goal, the product of a set-piece routine, he said: "I think I have two or three in there who are really dependable and who I trust to go and win set-plays, but there are one or two who should do better, without question.
"They have switched off and not done their job until the ball was safe. There was a lack of responsibility to do the job.
"You have to stick to your man and take responsibility until the ball is either in the goalkeeper's hands or you have good possession further up the pitch. They have a job to do and have to see it through – just because the first ball has been dealt with, does not mean you are not vulnerable to the second one."
McInnes felt the first goal was pivotal and admitted keeper Tom Heaton should have done better in dealing with Danny Murphy's shot.
He said: "I think we should have dealt with the shot from Murphy. That gave Blackburn the initiative.
"We have not been punished by any really slick play from Blackburn, but by errors from a lack of concentration. We recognise that the goals have been gifted."
Without the pace and guile of Sam Baldock and Albert Adomah, the Robins seldom threatened to score a goal and McInnes conceded: "We lacked devilment at the top end of the pitch and pace and tempo throughout.
"We have gone 1-0 down without having done a lot wrong, but we needed to do a bit more to create chances and score a goal.
"The game was played in far too nice a manner for me and I felt we needed a bit more bite and tempo to our play."
Comments
by marmeliser
Sunday, January 06 2013, 8:58PM
“@ piledriver
you left off ryan taylor, but thats not a criticism. the only other thing missing are the total losses
this list should have been read out last month to the board at the ''fans meeting'', and certainly should have if we still had the AGM that got taken away from us who are shareholders
it is DAMNING
the other 'list' would be player who've gone thru the ''academy'' and to see who's been played, who did anything noteworthy in the game, and who generated any revenue for the club.
again, the figures would be damning
fawthrop, tinnion and millen all ran, are were closely involved in this debacle, and all of them were appointed manager!!!”
by piledriver
Sunday, January 06 2013, 8:44PM
“@Red_Emerson
McInnes
Davies-Good but has fitnes issues
Baldock-Good but we need someone to supply the bullets
Pearson-Average
McManus-Average but only a loan
Briggs-Average-but short term loan
Elokobi-Good but injured-Off wage bill now.
Danns-Decent and I believe we have a bid in.He hasn't said he doesnt want to come here?
Wilson D-Injured and back at Liverpool so I can't judge but, ala many loan players he wasn't match fit when he arrived and picked up an injury in training.Cheap Loan
Wilson M:Short term contract and should leave
Foster-Average.
Morris-Poor but OOC in June & Cheap
Bates-Average but not 100% fit so I'll criticise Del for playing him
Cunningham-Good-Best Signing
Heaton-Average
GJ:
Johnson-Average & Expensive
Styvar-Useless & Expensive £900k plus £12kpw
Trundle-Four Years to late & £1m-Left on Free
Maynard-Good but sold for about 30% of his worth due to SL
Nyatanga-£500k and now worthless hardly plays and OOC June
Williams-£250k rarely selected-Left on free
McAllister-Average
Clarkson-Poor & Expensive £800k plus £8kpw
Fontaine-Average up to this season but currently poor
Gerken-Average
9-10 dreadful loans during hand grenade period (Sankofa etc)
Savage-Loveable but dire
Smith Worst striker I've seen including Bas
Corr-Poor
Elliott-Good on arrival Now Average at best
Sproule-£500k left on free-Average
JCR:Average-£300k Big Wages left on free
Betsy-Poor-£250k-Good wages left on free
Wilson B-Poor £100k Left On Free
Hartley-Good but not selected enough.Got cheesed off and left on free with a year of hi contract left
Carle-Average and sold for what he cost
Millen:
Stead-Good
Pitman-Average and lost £500k on the sale
Kilkenny-Average & Big Wages
Woolford-Average
Bolasie-Good and sold at profit that could turn into good earner with sell on.
Coppell:
Hunt-Worst ever player & hugely expensive
Stewart-See Hunt
Adomah-Good
Cisse-Good but expensive:Left on free
James-Good but expensive:Left on Free
TBH I've probably missed loads.My point is that they've all dropped the ball in this field and, as the ultimate decision maker, SL's policy seemed to be delegate and forget.”
by Red_Emerson
Sunday, January 06 2013, 8:01PM
“A significant part of the managers job, is to bring the right players to the Club and get them playing, winning football.
Lets look at the players McClueless has brought in; Davies, Baldock, Pearson, McManus, Briggs, Danns, Wilson D, Wilson M, Foster, Morris, Bates and Cunningham.
That's over a team! Only Cuningham has been a success and the other decent players, Davies and Baldock, he rarely plays!
Danns has been a succsesful loan but doesn't want to come back, wonder why!”
by BCFCfinker
Sunday, January 06 2013, 7:34PM
“DMs stats:
For St. Jonstone 132 games, won 53, drawn 41, lost 38. A win rate of 40%
For BCFC, 62 games, won 17, drawn 14, lost 31. A win rate of 27%
A number of points...
Just because something worked at St J, doesn't mean it's going to work at BCFC.
Definition of stupidity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
An impartial observer might conclude you're either an idiot or you're doing this deliberately.”
by piledriver
Sunday, January 06 2013, 7:19PM
“@Red_Emerson:
You may be right.I think you're probably wrong, however, if this bloke was the solution a year or so ago, why isn't he the solution now?
Millen wasn't the right man-McInnes was, wasn't he?
Poor recruitent?
Guess who'll recruit the next guy?
Then guess the team v Leicester-You won't be far wrong unless the new bloke has got 3-4 players ge can bring in immediately.
And so the process which has clearly failed continues.
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.”
by Red_Emerson
Sunday, January 06 2013, 6:51PM
“Previous manager was sacked due to non-performance, i just want the same applied to McClueless.
I really am expecting it, to be announced tomorrow.”
by piledriver
Sunday, January 06 2013, 6:47PM
“@Red_Emerson:
If we look at the squad or even the teams that have played recently, the mistake belong to all of our recent managers from GJ to Del.
I know you want him out but as much blame has to be attached to the previous managers and SL.”
by piledriver
Sunday, January 06 2013, 6:43PM
“@marmeliser:
All correct.My point was about the quality of the players Millen was trying to attract.As I said he knew what was required.I feel that Del probably knows too.
There's knowing and doing and that could well be the same for the majority of his suggested replacements.”
by CiderheadNott
Sunday, January 06 2013, 6:32PM
“McUseless has had more than a year to sort out the defence and midfield. There was the 2012 January transfer window; the summer break, and the early 2012/13 season transfer window - and a longer period when loan players were an option.
So why is he only talking about doing something about these problems on a permanent basis only now?”
by Red_Emerson
Sunday, January 06 2013, 6:02PM
“McClueless is blaming players and hiding behind a smoke screen, of trying to get new players in!
But who brought most of the under-performing players in?
Yes, you guessed it, McClueless!”