Bristol City.
I just admit I don’t find the free transfer market all that compelling this summer.
I still think we will get a competitive squad together even if there are a few loans in there.
If we are reliant on Peck, Arblaster, Jairo and Rothwell, that’s competent in the middle without being spectacular. I’d say games are going to be won and lost by what we do further up and further back.
If we were aiming for: Alleyne (loan), Souttar (loan to buy) for centre backs, Sykes (free) as overall right hand side cover then I’m fine with that thought Souttar is a hard one.
Further forward, if we get Dobbin on loan and lose Brooks then that is workable.
Including Jairo that’s 5.
You’ve always got the option of playing 2 up front with Bamford, Cannon, Oné and Campbell which lessens the need for one more midfielder.
Then it’s a question of replacing anyone else who further sales. We’d definitely lose something if Burrows went and RND was his replacement though some seem to think RND is on his way. Peck would be a shame but depends on what cash is being spoken of. You can see a gamble on Phillips or Smallbone but then we are crossing fingers on injuries. Wouldn’t be against the Hearts player, Cammie Devlin, who is out of contract and coming off a good season. For Hamer, if he went I’d imagine an out and out winger comes in rather than like for like; BBD or Donovan for instance though I’d prefer we keep Gus for the entertainment value.
Either way, I think we have enough there to compete.