Lansdown says no to quick-fix at Bristol City
Bristol City chairman Steve Lansdown has ruled out any "quick-fix" solutions during the January transfer window.
Robins manager Gary Johnson recently went public on the need to recruit a naturally left-sided midfield player to replace winger Michael McIndoe, who left Ashton Gate to join Coca-Cola Championship rivals Coventry during the summer.
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Bristol City chairman - Wants long-term solutions
But millionaire businessman Lansdown today insisted he is not in the business of spending money for the sake of it and warned that he will only sanction new arrivals who he thinks will stand the test of time in English football's second tier.
Johnson and Lansdown met earlier this week to discuss the possibility of strengthening the squad and City's chairman, having already helped fund several signings during the close season, is adopting a cautious stance.
He argued: "I think you have to look at the squad we've built up over the years. I think we have a squad which has value and anyone we bring in has to be part of a long-term strategy.
"I don't like the January transfer window because too many short-term decisions are made.
"We can use the loan system if we need to and we'll have a look to see what is available. But I don't want to bring anybody into this football club for a couple of minutes."
Although he is not a fan of the January window, Johnson has used it to bolster his squad in recent seasons, but with mixed results.
Signed from Championship rivals Coventry in 2008, veteran striker Dele Adebola helped City reach the play-off final and proved a good buy. But Australia international midfielder Nick Carle, recruited at the same time, was sold to Crystal Palace six months later, while the signing of Slovakian striker Peter Styvar from MSK Zilina 12 months ago failed to work out and the player was subsequently loaned to Skoda Xanthi.
Lansdown added: "There are no short-term fixes in football and I think everyone has to realise that. We're trying to build something that will be sustainable.
"If we do find somebody at the right price and he fits in with what we want to do long-term, then we'll look at it.
"But it has to be right for the football club and I'm not going to promise that we'll definitely make a signing this month."
Johnson has already loaned out-of-favour striker Lee Trundle to Swansea for the rest of the season and Lee Johnson last week joined Derby County on a short-term deal.
But Johnson may have to move out more players, including transfer-listed goalkeeper Adriano Basso, before he can bring in new faces.
The Bristol City chairman said: "I'm not going to bring people in for the sake of it. When that happens, you end up with too many players and you cannot keep them all happy. That then causes dissatisfaction in the camp. It's a fine balancing act.
"Gary and I have spoken about it and we will bring people in when we think the time is right and when we can. That depends on when people leave here, either because their contracts have expired or we feel they have run their course with us.
"Do people have to move out before they move in? In a way, yes, because that is the way football should be."
10 Comments
by Chris, Bristol
Wednesday, January 06 2010, 3:16PM
“would only add that is surely better to spend £5m on one cast iron certainty
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This is probably the most absurd thing i have seen posted in a while! Can anyone tell me what player is a "cast iron certainty"? No such player exists, thats for sure and most fans would be horrified if we spent that amount of money on one player, me included and im 33 i wasnt around in 1982 but common sense and the damn right obvious tells me we are not a massive club, far from it in fact. We have to build slowly to ensure things dont backfire quickly, which as we have seen can easily be done! We have no right to be anywhere and succcess comes from hard work and uniting as a club on the off the pitch. It doesnt come by frittering away cash we dont have on mythical players that do not exist!”
by ram, lunch
Wednesday, January 06 2010, 1:16PM
“I think the older fans should look beyond the 1982 situation.Times have moved on. Its now time to gamble and inject alot of money on a decent striker so we can push for promotion. We are a massive club with the potential premiership facilities in the pipeline. Its time we have something our massive support deserves.”
by Hotwells Harry, Bristol
Wednesday, January 06 2010, 11:59AM
“George is spot-on. I too am tired of those who see the curent situation through a narrow perspective. I would only add that is surely better to spend £5m on one cast iron certainty than fritter £1m here and £500k there on players who appear to have Championship potential but ultimately fail to deliver.”
by GEORGE, LONDON
Tuesday, January 05 2010, 10:44PM
“People who feel that the choice is boom or bust are incredibly tiresome.
I can remember 1982 and I'm still a fan today.1982 was about inept Directors who completely misread the Freedom Of Contract changes.
We are not in that position today and have a wealthy benefactor/owner in SL who has backed GJ to the hilt-Most of GJ's signings over £250k haven't worked and a team without goals, yet with three strikers who cost £2m out on loan,needs explanation.
We signed a striker to replace them on loan-We needed a target man to replace Adebola and Saborio isn't one.
The squad is unbalanced and lacks strength in depth.League One players need to be moved on but that will be difficult given their wages which in many cases were automatically increased on promotion.
GJ has signed & sold 23 Strikers without being able to increase our CCC Goals Tally from 54.
Our defensive record is gradually detiorating as is our League position since our first season.
The football involves keeping eight players behind the ball whilst clumping the ball forward to small forwards who can't win it in the air or hold it up awaiting support.
We lack width either from wing backs or wingers which we are bereft of.
A left sided defender was signed, then released on disciplinary grounds without replacement.
GJ needs to start moving forward again,while he still has a job.”
by Gash Smasher, Bristol
Tuesday, January 05 2010, 7:16PM
“Theres a lot of people that "support" city that were not around in 1982 to witness the mess that money can cause to a football club . Thanks to SL & GJ at least we have stability and a bright future. Keep up the good work. My tip to anyone that wants to see a team going crazy for success go to Wales and watch Cardiff .”
by JC, Bath
Tuesday, January 05 2010, 6:52PM
“Quite right Raymond, let's bankrupt the Club chasing dreams. I'm sure that Steve will welcome your generous donation towards these quality players!”
by Raymond Pilkington, Marshfield
Tuesday, January 05 2010, 5:17PM
“John is right, the board at Bristol City must not cut corners.
We have to keep our best players and procure additional proven Championship quality players in January.
Let us not become a selling club again, risking relegation and a further steep drop in attendances.
Most importantly, if Steve Lansdown cannot trust his manager to bring in players that "last more than five minutes", perhaps he needs to bring in a new manager and chief scout that he can trust to deliver at this level.”
by john, swineford
Tuesday, January 05 2010, 3:56PM
“So that's it. If Mr Landsdown only wants second tier footballers we can forget about ever getting out of this league. Perhaps he is happy about this and if he really has given his money to City without any ties then good luck to him and goodbye to promotion.”
by dean, headley park
Tuesday, January 05 2010, 11:23AM
“GJ has wasted million and we have a totally unbalanced squad because he isn't up to the job.
Stick with what we've got, hope we stay up, sack GJ in May and bring in someone of Championship quality.
The cost of getting rid of the cheeky cockney will be paid back by ST sales.”
by Nigel, South West
Tuesday, January 05 2010, 10:06AM
“Gary has run his course , Steve understand why you dont trust him in transfer window just get rid quick and lets see better football and some of our Academy.”