The January transfer window closes this week and much of the talk surrounding City is whether we will bring in a new striker to shake things up. Goals from our forwards have been in short supply this season with £1million summer signing Lee Trundle only finding the net three times, and Darren Byfield scoring eight goals.
With Steve Brooker out on loan to Cheltenham Town in a bid to regain his match fitness, and Enoch Showumni out of the picture after City accepted an undisclosed bid from Leeds United, (even though he turned down the offer) it is clear we need more options. Gary Johnson has since publicly stated he thinks Showumni should have taken the offer so with his contract up at the end of the season, it doesn’t look likely that it will be renewed.
Some could argue we should start fielding younger players like Tristan Plummer but we need a striker who is capable of holding the ball up front and letting Byfield or Trundle play alongside the target man. Rumours have been circulating for a couple of weeks now with many names mentioned including Coventry’s Dele Adebola and Celtic’s Derek Riordan, neither of which looks likely.
On the subject of new signings, Johnson has always remained tight-lipped about any targets he has, to prevent other clubs being alerted of their availability and to remain respectful to the players who have already taken us so far this season. Gary is in a tricky position as a new signing could bring more goals or upset the tremendous team spirit at the club already.
His only signing of the window so far, Nick Carle, made his home debut on Saturday and to me he looks absolute class. The Australian has a fantastic awareness of the game and is more than comfortable using both his feet, so this is encouraging and he can also play an attacking role if needed. At £500,000 he looks an absolute steal and will surely add quality to the squad. He could surely play at a higher level.
On Saturday we faced Blackpool after a run of two games without a win, so it was important we secured all three points. With the majority of the teams in the Championship competing in the FA Cup, a win would send us top, level on points with West Brom. An early goal from Marvin Elliot sent us on our way to a 1-0 victory and three precious points. Again we failed to score more goals as we were wasteful with our chances and this made for a nervy finale with Blackpool hitting the crossbar and forcing goalkeeper Adriano Basso to make some good saves.
Encouragingly City defended very well without both our regular centre backs Louis Carey and Liam Fontaine, with proves our defence has strength in depth. We are gradually getting to the business end of the season where it is only the results that matter, and hopefully we will still be up near the top in May. So far this has been an incredible season, which has exceded all my expectations, and there is no reason why our current squad can’t take us into the Premier League.
Although I might say different in my next blog if we lose to QPR and haven’t signed anyone!
ANDY DAVIES
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