Maynard deal shows we mean business – Carey

Louis Carey believes the capture of £2.25 million signing Nicky Maynard proves Bristol City's Premier League ambition.

City last week smashed their transfer record to recruit the highly-rated 21-year-old striker from League One Crewe Alexandra.

And long-serving skipper Carey claims Maynard's arrival signals City's intention to again challenge for promotion.

"Paying that kind of money shows we mean business," said Carey.

"With a week to go before the start of the season, it was about time we brought someone in. The chairman has put the money up and it shows our intentions. It's a big investment for the club to make and it proves we want to be up there challenging like we were last season."

And Carey reckons the newcomer could be the difference between success and failure this season.

He reasoned: "Nicky is a goalscorer and we've not had a player like him in the squad for the last few years.

"I don't want to heap too much pressure on him, but he knows where the back of the net is and gives us something we were lacking last season."

Carey is backing Maynard to have the same impact as Tony Thorpe, the livewire striker who averaged a goal every two games for City between 1998 and 2002.

"I think Nicky is just as good a player as Thorpy," said the Bristolian. "He's a box player like Thorpy, but is a lot quicker. He has pace, good movement off the ball and is a threat going in behind defenders. He'll definitely add something to our game.

"If he can score the amount of goals Thorpy scored for us, then we'll have a chance (of going up) this season."

Careful not to upset the equilibrium of a squad which exceeded expectations last season, City boss Gary Johnson has sought to add only a small number of new faces over the summer.

Maynard and Gavin Williams represent the only newcomers to date and Carey believes City will benefit from a settled squad and strong team ethic.

He said: "We have a great togetherness here and all the lads look out for one another. That's so important when things are not going right on the pitch.

"When we went up to the Championship in 1998, the club brought a load of new players in and it upset those who were already here and upset the balance.

"The gaffer hasn't done that this time. He didn't do it when he first came here, he didn't do it when we won promotion last year and he hasn't done it this summer."