"We're working hard" - Bristol City coach on Robins transfers and Eddie Nketiah blow Pre-Barnsley press conference was held on Wednesday. Bristol City are still reeling from the decision of Arsenal to keep Eddie Nketiah in-house for the rest of the season. Club sources revealed that there is consternation at Ashton Gate at the Gunners' about-turn having believed that the player would be heading to the West Country for the next months. Especially when their club website even showed images of Nketiah next to a Bristol City badge suggesting that a move was complete earlier in the week. The embarrassing episode means that the Robins will now move swiftly onto other targets with talks with Crystal Palace over Connor Wickham continuing, although a deal for the 26-year-old looks unlikely due to the striker's wages. Dean Holden spoke at Bristol City's pre-Barnsley press conference on Wednesday and gave the official club view, although the news is not good with two weeks to go in the transfer window. "There's nothing that I'm aware of that's close, either incomings or outgoings," said Holden. "And the recruitment team are working hard behind the scenes as are everybody. We asked what the feeling is regarding Arsenal's stance over starlet Nketiah, after the change their change of heart. New boss Mikel Arteta decided to have a look at the player and then kept him for the rest of the campaign, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang suspended for three games and Gabriel Martinelli set to play with Brazil U23s this month. "I can only speak for myself," said Holden. "We've spoken already about the positions we want to recruit in this January window. "We've got a list of targets and this has been going on for a long time now, way before the window even opened. "For us we remain focused on trying to get those deals over the line." "Sam Szmodics, that's done and he's got a loan to Peterborough. A good move for him as he's not obviously played the games he would have liked to have played since he stepped up. "A fantastic character and every day in training he's right at it. Real good attitude. He wants to learn, wants to improve. It's a great loan for him as Peterborough are a team renowned for their attacking and they're going for promotion. They've tailed off a bit in recent weeks. "The way they play will play into Sammie's hands. He'll get some game time and come back to us a better player through the experience of playing games," said Holden, who admitted that he wasn't sure if the loan could develop into a permanent move for the Colchester United man. "There have been talks on one or two players going out to get some game time," added Holden. "At the moment there's nothing ready to happen," he added. Holden answered on fans' frustrations regarding the team's form, performances on the pitch and identity: "We have experienced a difficult run but we're looking to bounce back. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/were-working-hard-bristol-city-3747117
This is good news for everyone to hear. ' "There's nothing that I'm aware of that's close, either incomings or outgoings," said Holden.' Still things could change very quickly, we've only got 2 weeks.
U-turn by Arsenal or not, need to remember that Nketiah is actually their player, and if they wish to keep him there's nothing we can do about it. it's disappointing but that's football.
I really am not surprised by the Nketiah decision and now we finally know where we stand on the affair. As the news release clearly states we have no irons in the fire as of today and it makes me wonder, given that we usually end up close to the same end game each season, whether it is down to the over-priced dynamics of the January transfer window or is it our corporate approach? Many smaller teams have made it to the Premier League and survived and they don't have a large supporter base to fund their on-field players and therefore don't fall afoul of superstars on ridiculous salaries. Why are we not seemingly capable of the same success and stay within the financial restrictions imposed by the league?
We can't dwell on Eddie Nketiah.. We need to just get on with it.....Now that's not down to LJ if our scouts aren't getting the names in......IMO.
I thought we had a good thing going with Chelsea. We were told by Ashton 2 years ago that Man City were another. Has LJ's reputation for good football (remember the exciting high press) has gone out of the window? Won't be a surprise though to all you poor sods who watch Junior's dross on most every match day.
