TEAM PREVIEW: Bristol City – Brian Tinnion believes City can succeed

 

Bristol City couldn’t have been more dominant if they tried last season, starting with an impressive display at Sheffield United and ending it with a quite ruthless one. Under Steve Cotterill, they have an experienced manager who will try to take them to the promised land come 2016.

Last Season: League One (1st)

Manager: Steve Cotterill

 

Squad

GKs: Frank Fielding
DFs: Mark Little, Derrick Williams, Aden Flint, Adam El-Abd, Greg Cunningham, Luke Ayling
MFs: Korey Smith, Scott Wagstaff, Bobby Reid, Luke Freeman, Marlon Pack, Joe Bryan
FWs: Aaron Wilbraham, Kieran Agard, Wesley Burns

 

Transfers

In:

Out: Wade Elliott (Retired), Jay Emmanuel-Thomas (QPR), Dave Richards (Released), Karleigh Osborne (AFC Wimbledon – Loan)

 

First Six: Sheffield Wednesday (A), Brentford (H), Leeds United (H), Middlesbrough (A), Burnley (H), Birmingham City (A)

Likely Lineup: (4-5-1) Fielding – Ayling, Little, Flint, Williams – Smith, Freeman, Pack, Bryan, Wagstaff – Wilbraham

 

 

A word from…Brian Tinnion

On regrets after injury No, none at all. I started off at Newcastle and was playing well at Bradford before the injury. The management team there (Bradford) at the time were Frank Stapleton and Stewart Pearce (ex-Manchester United strikers) and they were prepared to listen to offers for me. I spoke to a few clubs before being invited down here (Bristol) to have a look around the club and the city and felt it was the right move for me. I thoroughly enjoyed all of the ups and downs at City during my time there. There were enquiries from other clubs during my time but I was fortunate that all the managers I played under were happy with me, and I was happy to stay. It was a real compliment that the fans thought so highly of me and that I earned the respect of opposition fans also. I’d like to think I served the club well during my career.

On those early goals against Bristol Rovers and Liverpool Yes, it was my second game for the club and we were playing Rovers at Ashton Gate. It was a full house, in fact there were people locked outside, and we won a penalty. I grabbed the ball and managed to score the winning goal which got me off to a good start with the supporters! That was one of many great experiences, including that win at Anfield!

Anfield was an unforgettable experience and a great result (and wearing THAT purple and green…. kit revived last season)… (laughs) and I thought I’d never see THOSE colours again…but they’re obviously lucky for us! It was one of the club’s greatest results and, obviously, it was fantastic to be part of that.

On staying at the club for over a decade The days of a Steven Gerrard or Gary Neville are gone for good I think. It was fortunate that I performed on the pitch and always gave everything for the shirt in the 550-odd career appearances I made. It’s the money around today that means you won’t get that sort of commitment anymore. The game has changed which means that sort of long service will be rare in the future. Just look at the Sterling situation at Liverpool at the moment as an example.

There were enquiries from other clubs for me during my City career but I was happy here and playing well. Those enquiries never really amounted to much and that was fine by me. I must have been doing something right for a number of bosses to be happy with me and my game. I always gave my all for the club and maybe that’s one of the reasons I stayed so long. I can’t see players staying at one club, as you’ve suggested, for even five years never mind 12, but that’s the way the game is these days.

They’re very well placed now. The squad is very tight and they believe in themselves and in what Steve (Cotterill) is doing. They’ve got the core of a very good squad and I can see them doing very well. The team is full of confidence after winning the league and the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and I believe they can carry that momentum into the Championship. The club is in a good place, the stadium will have a larger capacity this season and that will help. Saw them a few times last season and they play the kind of football that will serve them well in the Championship.

With Steve Lansdowne and his son running the club, we have real fans at the helm that are desperate for the club and have the best interests of Bristol City at heart. We can certainly do well this coming season though a lot will depend on the manager’s recruitment, who he brings in to improve the group. But he’ll have his list of targets and I’m confident we can make the step up from League 1.

Teams like Brentford made the play-offs and Bournemouth, of course, got promoted. Wolves have returned the season before they pushed for the play-offs. There’s no reason why we can’t have a really good season and be up there.

On the gaffer Steve’s a very driven man and he knows how to get the very best out of his players. He’s a great man manager and it was on the pre-season trip (last year) to Botswana that he turned the team around. He was able to communicate his ideas and the group bonded very well. We have the momentum that comes from winning two trophies to build on, his work ethic is second to none and we will be prepared for the Championship. Other teams have come up and done well, there’s no reason why we can’t do the same. It’s a tough league but we won at Sheffield United at the start of last season so we’ll probably bring 4-5,000 to Hillsbrough and hopefully get off to a good start. If we do we can kick on from there.

On consolidation and stadium reconstruction I understand what you’re saying about the reduced capacity and why you might say that but Steve doesn’t know the meaning of the word consolidation! Last season we could have ignored the JPT and focused on winning the league, but that’s not his way – he wanted to win everything and that’s the attitude he’ll have in the Championship and why I’m confident City can do very well. They’ll be coming in with real confidence and, like all recently promoted teams, that will take them a long way. The squad will need a few additions but I’m confident Steve will get who he wants to take them forward. It’s a good time to be a football fan in Bristol and right now the club is on the up. It’s good that Rovers and City for football in this city.

On recruitment You will need experience, which I’m sure Steve has already identified in his recruitment plans. You also need the right characters, and one of Steve’s assets is the ability to find the right type of character and integrate them into the squad. There’s already strong characters like Aden Flint and players with things to prove like Kieran Agard (Rotherham sold Agard to City after their promotion to the Championship).

It’s a challenge for some of them for sure but Steve is a manager who will make them believe they can match anyone. He’s a winner and that’s what he instils in his players. You’re right that there are a a number unproven at this level..like Flint..but they will be thoroughly prepared for the Championship. I know it’s a hard, demanding league to play in and adding some experience will help.

Strikers, for me, are key. I think they already have a good, solid base to work from. As I said the likes of Agard are unproven so I’d expect to see a few experienced players coming in. Steve likes to have a minimum of 4 strikers to choose from so I can see him recruiting at least one, especially with JET (Jay Emmanuel-Thomas) leaving. The sky is the limit in terms of ambition and they will, for me, be more than fine in this league. Recruitment is key and Steve is excellent in identifying what he wants and getting it. Every home game will be a full house and with the backing of the board I can see a bright future for City

 

The Offside Rule Podcast Prediction: Bristol City have a good squad and a good manager, but Jay Emmanuel-Thomas will be difficult to replace. If they manage it, there’s no reason why they can’t be at least top half material.

Key Player: Aden Flint – The defender was a revelation last season, he even bagged an unlikely hattrick on the final day of the League One season. Can he make the step up? Fans will hope so.

One to Watch: Luke Freeman – The midfielder had a fantastic first season at the club, chipping in with goals and becoming a regular performer from the off. He looks like one player who could easily make the transition to the Championship.