Bristol City told to fix transfer "issue" at Ashton Gate | OneFootball

A lack of foresight for Bristol City over the last year has prevented them bolstering midseason, according to our Fan Pundit

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Bristol City have been urged to leave some money for the January transfer window this year, after a summer of excess just under 12 months ago.

The Robins spent heavily ahead of this season, but some of their most expensive acquisitions have not had the greatest impact.

In a double blow, that heavy summer spending then seemingly prevented them bolstering their squad midseason, with a quiet winter window being observed at Ashton Gate.

Asked what issue needs to be fixed by Bristol City this summer, our Robins Fan Pundit, Tom Sandy, turned straight to the financial planning at the club.

Bristol City’s spending has not been the most fruitful

Speaking to Football League World, Tom said: “I think the main issue at the club at the moment that we need to fix as a priority this summer, ahead of next season, is just our recruitment and being a bit more astute financially.

“In the summer, we overspent, and we didn't sell as many players as we thought we were going to, and that meant that in January we couldn't make any moves at all because we just didn’t have the finances.

“We had to stay put, make some loan deals, because we just couldn't afford to bring anyone in, and I don't think it's hindered us too much, but at the time, it felt like it could have hindered our momentum.

“And I felt like an extra signing in January potentially could have helped us get the extra step ahead.

“In terms of recruitment in the summer, we overspent because we signed two strikers who didn't have the impact that we were hoping.

“We weren't able to sell some players that I think were clearly not in the plans, like Harry Cornick, for example. He's not made many appearances, and he's been decent when he has, but he definitely wasn't in the plans for the season.

“So I think this season coming up, we need to, first of all, straighten up the books, make sure we have room to manoeuvre, and also be a bit more careful in our signings.

“Don't sign players when we know that we won't have the money to bolster, because in January, anything can happen. We could have had a lot of injuries and had to bring in a replacement, and not been able to, and our season could have capitulated.

“So, I think it's important next season to be prepared, if we need to, to make a move in the other transfer window, other than the summer.”

The Robins will learn a lesson from the likes of Fally Mayulu and Sinclair Armstrong

Bristol City are not the first side to fork out substantial sums for young players in the hope they can develop them, and potentially sell them on for a profit further down the line.

That seemed to be the philosophy behind the signings of youngsters Fally Mayulu and Sinclair Armstrong, reportedly costing around £2.5m and £2m respectively.

However, as is always the risk with young prospects, neither has truly kicked on, with Mayulu heading out on loan to Sturm Graz in January and Armstrong having notched just three goals.

There’s still plenty of time for the pair to come good, but gambling on just one of them, and saving some in reserve for January in case their attacking unit needed bolstering, would have been much more sensible.

Had they done so, and found the right candidate, the Robins may be sat even more comfortably in the play-off positions right now.