We'll back Derek McInnes in January transfer window, says Bristol City managing director Jon Lansdown
BRISTOL City managing director Jon Lansdown insists the board will continue to back manager Derek McInnes in the transfer market.
The January window opens in a little under three weeks and McInnes is keen to strengthen a squad that is again involved in a protracted fight against relegation.
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He has spoken publicly of the need to recruit a right-sided centre-back and could also be in the market for a creative midfielder if Neil Danns returns to Leicester after his loan deal expires on January 8.
Although cash is in short supply and City's board of directors are under pressure to reduce debt in the wake of a club-record annual loss of £14.4 million, majority shareholder Steve Lansdown is prepared to loosen the purse strings in an attempt to secure City's Championship status for another season.
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Under pressure following a disappointing run of results, McInnes recently received public backing from Lansdown senior and, barring anything catastrophic happening in the next few weeks, will be the man spending the money in January.
Jon Lansdown told The Post: "As a board of directors and as a club, we have already proved we are prepared to back the manager.
"Whether the signings turn out to be right or wrong, we back him, and we will continue to do that.
"Given our position, we would be foolish not to do that. We are never going to flat refuse to look at a player the manager wants to bring in.
"We never put a figure on it and say how much we have to spend, because there is no point in doing so.
"If you come up with a figure, all it tends to do is inflate prices. But if the manager comes to us having identified a target, of course we will consider it."
Having reduced the size of his squad considerably last summer, McInnes does not necessarily have to sell before he can buy.
But Lansdown and his fellow directors have a responsibility to try and balance the books and, in accordance with the economic climate, will demand value for money in the transfer market.
"You always look to try to balance it if you can, but the more important part of it is to ensure you identify the right players to bring in," said Lansdown who, along with chairman Keith Dawe, has undertaken a thorough review for recruitment strategy at Ashton Gate.
"It is a very different matter when you think you have the right fit for a certain position rather than just filling a gap for the sake of it.
"The key thing is to improve upon your first 11."
Asked if the need to comply with the requirements of Financial Fair Play, which is set to be introduced at the start of next season, are hampering City's attempts to recruit new players in January, Lansdown said: "I don't think so.
"We are still an attractive club to join and to play for. We want to be known for bringing in the right sort of player and then improving that player's career.
"There is a certain number of players we want in the squad and we cannot just keep bringing people in all the time. Sometimes you need to move some out in order to maintain a balance."
Comments
by manchestergas
Wednesday, December 12 2012, 11:23PM
“£14.4 m loss and still about to spend loads of money? madness.
It will ruin you for next season's rude shock of the fair play rules as you'll then have even more high earners, and unless sometin changes soon reduced ticket sales as well. The nightmare scenario would be relegation, and lower away supporter income as well.”
by piledriver
Wednesday, December 12 2012, 11:18PM
“@Rangersfc69:
Wrong about Skuse.Our best RB and our best defensive midfielder by a mile.I'd keep him, possibly Danns, definetly Reid and let ALL of the others go.”
by Marksy
Wednesday, December 12 2012, 12:30PM
“by THEIRONS
Don't worry mate, you should see how many red arrows i get when i comment on the Rover page !”
by Vonner
Wednesday, December 12 2012, 11:58AM
“Absolutely Irons - say what you think. I got 8 red arrows for a pop at Jon Lansdown, but to me this guy is MD of the club and we need strong leadership. We had heard nothing from the board till this point. Sexton was not my favourite but he was man enough to front up a bit more then those in charge at the moment...”
by THEIRONS
Wednesday, December 12 2012, 11:47AM
“DAVEinSA As for arrows be they Red or Green has no bearing on the quality of the comment , if people do not agree with what I post , so be it, I will continue to give my opinion regardless of what colour arrow follows, otherwise what is the point in having a opinion . I am not saying it is relevant to myself , but there are some who can manipulate the score.”
by DaveinSA
Wednesday, December 12 2012, 7:39AM
“@theirons, many red arras there mate...
I think that McInnes is a WIP as a manager. He proved himself with St. Johnstone and he is rapidly learning what the Championship is about. He has made mistakes. More recently he has been man enough to admit them - a great quality. Can he cut it at this level, who knows? But generally the quality of player that has come into the squad has improved it (Baldock, Cunningham, Davies) rather than worsened it.
Question is, where are we gonna get those CB's and CM's from...
and the other question is Jody Morris - WHY? We can't afford to give jobs to mates Derek.”
by Rangersfc69
Tuesday, December 11 2012, 11:15PM
“Casualbutcher...add Skuse to ur list, I can't describe the disappointment I felt when I heard he was back in training??!! The team we had on Saturday with Davies (if fit) instead of Taylor looks more positive...but agreed we need a new defence and midfield...hope our 'ambitious' owner spends money this time not pocket change!!
Can anyone explain why Danny Wilson hasn't played yet??”
by topekared
Tuesday, December 11 2012, 10:43PM
“I think they are mad giving McInnes any more to spend.After Morris and players signed to sit on the bench and failure to sort out the key positions.”
by redferryman1
Tuesday, December 11 2012, 7:53PM
“Loosening whose purse-strings? Don't get too excited, boys, because it's the clubs money which risks being squandered since we are unlikely to secure in January the quality we so desperately need.
Historically, in January, you pay top-dollar for players who are often less than top-drawer and are often surplus to requirements at their parent club. Money is now very, very tight and, the position in which we now find ourselves (again), McInness and Lansdown need to employ all their footballing/business acumen to secure the right player(s). But they don't have a great track record in this area! Just no more Woolfords, please!”
by Vonner
Tuesday, December 11 2012, 5:13PM
“I admire your optimistic outlook but if you gave me 21st place now I would bite your hand off...”