Bristol City boss thanks owner as he seals sixth summer deal
DEREK McInnes today thanked Bristol City owner Steve Lansdown and his board of directors for backing him in the transfer market.
City’s manager made his sixth signing of the summer when seeing off competition from Championship rivals Ipswich Town to land Derby County striker Steve Davies on a three-year deal.
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Derek McInnes
Signed for an undisclosed fee, 24-year-old Davies goes straight into the squad for tonight’s home game against Crystal Palace and McInnes, who is still in the market for another striker and a right-sided centre-half, hopes to raise the number of new arrivals to eight before the transfer window closes for business on August 31.
Majority shareholder and former chairman Lansdown flew in from his home in Guernsey to personally oversee the signing of Davies and will next try to persuade DJ Campbell to commit his future to Ashton Gate.
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Queens Park Rangers have accepted an undisclosed bid for the 30-year-old striker, who is set to open talks with City after tonight’s first home game of the season.
McInnes is also closing in on a centre-back and said: “I have had really good backing from Steve and the board and I am grateful for that.
“There is an understanding of where the club is at the minute and where we want to take it. We are trying to recruit good players, but there are certain parameters we have to work within.
“I’m fully aware of that and have always been happy to work within those restraints. But I feel happy that Steve and the board want the best team and squad possible and we are all working together towards that common aim.”
He added: “We are hopeful that we can get another couple of signings in. It has been well documented the types of players I’m looking to try and bring in. There won’t be any more in before (the Palace game), but hopefully there will be one or two more before the next game (at home to Cardiff on Saturday).”
Davies looked set to join Ipswich until City stole a march on the East Anglian club at the weekend.
A delighted McInnes said: “Steven is a striker we identified that we would like to have with us and, although it has taken a bit longer than anticipated, I’m very pleased to have him on board now.
“He brings a real versatility to our front-line; he can play wide as a striker, he can score goals, is good in the air for his size and can play at this level. He gives us options in the striking areas and I’m sure he will chip in with goals.
“Hopefully, we are getting a really hungry player, one who is motivated to come here and do well.”
Davies said: “I knew about City’s interest two weeks ago and I had a call from Derby late on Sunday night to say they had given me permission to speak to them. I spoke to the manager for about half-an-hour, he told me his plans for the club and knew then that I wanted to be a part of it.
“I could have still gone to Ipswich up until ten minutes before I signed, but that had gone on for a little bit too long and I just had a good feeling about Bristol City.
“I’m grateful for Ipswich for their interest, but I’m not too sure Derby were keen on doing a deal with them.
“Once I had spoken to Derek McInnes and met the owner, my decision was made.”
City lost their opening game 1-0 at Nottingham Forest on Saturday and McInnes is expected to start with two up front against Palace.
He said: “It is important we win our first home game, but we have to show more of a goal threat and work the keeper more than we worked Forest’s keeper at the weekend.
“With a good, strong vocal home support behind us, hopefully we can go and ask questions of Crystal Palace.”
But winger Yannick Bolasie will not be involved after submitting a written transfer request at the weekend.
Palace are preparing to table a bid for the 23-year-old former Plymouth player and McInnes says Bolasie can leave if a rival club meets City’s asking price.
He said: “Yannick is no different from any other player, in that we have a valuation and, if that is met, he will have an opportunity to move on.
“But until that valuation is met, he will have to knuckle down and continue to work hard for Bristol City.”
Comments
by BCFCfinker
Wednesday, August 22 2012, 12:31AM
“So the stadium has a lick of paint and now the team appears to have a spring in it's step. Obviously good news at half time and a cracking result.
This is one of the best home starts to the season in a long time. Chuffed to bits.”
by Burwallian
Tuesday, August 21 2012, 10:51PM
“My thanks too. All now is the long awaited Centre Back!”
by BCFCfinker
Tuesday, August 21 2012, 6:37PM
“If I were to apply the Turing Test to you, I'm not sure what the result would be.
Well I'm off to the match.
COYR”
by CharlesBridge
Tuesday, August 21 2012, 6:25PM
“@BCFCfinker
I have stated my opinion, I don't name drop as that would not exactly be professional would it.
Occupy, well I do tend to expect that this is some kind of sponsored intelligence gathering project, names, faces in crazy places. But personally I tend to think genuine protestors have a very important point.
If I were you I would not dismiss the power of people, after all it's only the accumulation of pooled capital that made our investor the rich man he is today as capital markets are the expression of applied capital.
My point is a fair and simply one, I am ambitious for Bristol City and I hope that we will see the benefits of wealth applied NOW to making success happen.”
by BCFCfinker
Tuesday, August 21 2012, 4:55PM
“@Charles
'I work directly for a very wealthy family, billions.'
I expect the butler says that all the time when he's asked what he does.
When you say 'I am wealthy' and put your money where your mouth is, then you'll be worth listening to.
'The power of many is all the power you need, even a rich man fears the power of many, and it is in fact all they have to fear'
Right on, power to the people (sarcasm by the way). I think that's what occupy movement have been piping on about for a while. Please remind me, just how effective has that group been?
'...you should not forget that a club like City is very attractive, it would be easy to do the transaction,...'
Strangely, I haven't seen much news about people queuing up to take over BCFC or anyone who's remotely interested in BCFC. Obviously, you know differently and want to keep it secret, after all you haven't done any name dropping yet. I wouldn't subscribe to the idea that you're talking BS.
As to SL reading the musings of us armchair commenters, I think he's got better things to do with his time... like make more money.
I'd like to say that I respect your point of view, but hey, I'd be lying.”
by BinRelegated
Tuesday, August 21 2012, 4:48PM
“Great to see new signings arrive but we stil need reinforcements in the centre of defence othwerwise we will continue to leak goals. Its been so long since we had a solid defence that i think alot of City fans have actually forgotten what good defending is. When we first arrived in this league we had a good solid unit of a defence (as opposed to quality players) along with Marv in front but that was 4 years ago now. Caulker (quality) papered over the cracks for a season but him aside, we have never managed to recruit a quality centre back at this level which is worrying! Carey is too old, Wilson could be quality but is to young at the mo and Fontaine, Nyatanga and Stewart just arent up to the job. You cant tell me there isnt a number of quality central defenders in the leagues below that we could tempt here? Its a desperate situation if you ask me!”
by piledriver
Tuesday, August 21 2012, 4:30PM
“@ johnbristol3
Free Agent along with Buzsaky who also seems to have disappeared off the radar.
The problem with players like this & Amougou is that they're six weeks behind the others in terms of fitness so it'll take a longer time for them to get up to speed.Actually, I think the same applies to Campbell.
Ref SL-What it suggests to me is the others have to stick to the plan and the budget whereas he doesn't!!
Also this continual sucking up to SL & The Board is getting somewhat tiresome!”
by marksy1
Tuesday, August 21 2012, 4:25PM
“Looks like Campbell is looking at his options ? Rather see Baldock in any day, a lot younger and a very good player.”
by CharlesBridge
Tuesday, August 21 2012, 4:10PM
“BCFCfinker
You make a fair point, I will be happy to answer
-Firstly if you don't make a nose when it needs to be made you will not effect change
-The power of many is all the power you need, even a rich man fears the power of many, and it is in fact all they have to fear
-Do I know of some football money god? You see its something you should never assume when asking such a question. I work directly for a very wealthy family, billions.
They do NOT have some interest in football, but there ARE a lot of people who do and you should not forget that a club like City is very attractive, it would be easy to do the transaction, just one big majority share holder to deal with, not far from London (flying in and out etc) and we are in the English Championship.
This is why it is worth reminding ourselves that depending on the kind of environment you are associated with there are plenty of people with money and ambition.
I expect that SL will indeed read this post and others and it serves as a reminder to ALL of us that whereas we ALL should be very grateful for his very generous backing we are not beholden to a stalemate and ALL options and prospects are on the table.
There are a lot of people with a lot of money in this world....there are only so many
investment grade clubs!
Think about the Rovers in contrast, could you even give them away :-)”
by Vonner
Tuesday, August 21 2012, 2:40PM
“It would be great if we get DJ on board as well - that will be 5 strikers and some genuine competition for places, pending on if Pitman toughs it out. Any cash left for other areas though?”