Our prediction: 13th
Likely finish: 8th–17th
Transfer window so far: 8/10
Biggest question
How do Bristol City replace Sam Morsy’s leadership?
Why they could finish higher than 13th
Bristol City have been extremely active in the transfer market. Sam Tickle, Brad Collins, Gibson Yah, Sam Greenwood, Jed Wallace, Lorent Tolaj, Billy O’Neill and Lisav Eissat have all arrived, while Sam Morsy, Mark Sykes, Sinclair Armstrong and Joe Lumley have left the club.
It is a transfer window that provides plenty of reasons for optimism, although it also leaves some important questions to answer.
Sam Tickle is a signing we particularly like. He has the potential to become one of the Championship’s best goalkeepers and could be worth several points to Bristol City over the course of the season.
Jed Wallace brings experience, work rate and quality from wide areas. Sam Greenwood has the ability to become the creative heartbeat of the team, while Lorent Tolaj is an exciting investment who could finally provide Bristol City with the reliable goalscorer they have been missing.
An 8/10 transfer window feels justified. There has been considerable turnover, but the overall squad looks deeper and possesses more attacking options than it did previously.
Strengths
Bristol City look stronger offensively than last season. They now have more players capable of deciding matches, while the additional depth should give them greater options during the relentless 46-game Championship campaign.
The versatility of several new signings is another major positive. Having players capable of performing different roles gives the coaching staff greater tactical flexibility and more opportunities to change matches from the bench.
If Greenwood provides the creativity and Tolaj supplies the goals, Bristol City could become a much more dangerous attacking side.
AdvertisementWeaknesses
The biggest loss is undoubtedly Sam Morsy. He was a leader, a winner and the player who set the standards in the middle of the pitch. Players with those qualities are not easily replaced, and his absence could be felt particularly when Bristol City find themselves under pressure.
There is also a potential downside to bringing in so many new players at once. Relationships and understanding take time to develop. If everything does not click quickly enough, Bristol City could find themselves involved in plenty of tight matches without being quite effective enough to turn one point into three.
Key player
Sam Greenwood
Greenwood has the quality to become Bristol City’s most important attacking player. If he can find consistency and produce his best football throughout the campaign, he has the ability to take Bristol City up another level.
One to watch
Lorent Tolaj
Tolaj arrives with expectations following a transfer worth around £4 million. If he can reach double figures in the Championship, Bristol City could become one of the season’s positive surprises and push considerably higher than 13th.
What they still need
Bristol City would benefit from adding a defensively minded central midfielder with leadership qualities. Finding someone capable of filling at least part of the void left by Morsy would give the team greater balance and make an already promising transfer window look even stronger.
Verdict
We think Bristol City have had a good transfer window. They have added quality, depth and several exciting players with room to develop. At the same time, they have lost an important leader, and it may take time for all the new pieces to fit together.
We expect Bristol City to be competitive throughout the season and believe they can challenge for a place in the top half if they find the right balance early. However, we think they will ultimately finish just outside the play-off conversation.
Our prediction is 13th place.