Bristol City look to steer clear of a relegation dogfight in the Championship after a solid transfer window that coincided with an unbeaten run of form. The Robins went the first month without defeat, with three victories and three draws, and are now 17th in the league, as well as in to the fifth round of the FA Cup where they will host Manchester City in a glamour tie at Ashton Gate.
January is a notoriously difficult month to do business in, and it was only until the end of the window that business really picked up. Joe Low and Stefan Bajic were loaned out at the start and middle of the month whilst Ryley Towler was sold to Portsmouth, but even then it did not mean any major arrivals. It wasn't until a rejected bid from Bournemouth for Antoine Semenyo came in and Dan Bentley's sale to Wolves, that things started to happen. Bentley's move to Wolves meant Nikita Haikin, a goalkeeper that played in this seasons Europa League joined, meanwhile the Cherries would eventually get their man in Semenyo.
Semenyo was a man in-demand even before the window and so if it was one of him or Alex Scott to go this month it would be him, with his contract up in the summer of 2024. His sale gave City some money to spend, and they did that on deadline day with the arrivals of Anis Mehmeti and Harry Cornick from Wycombe Wanderers and Luton Town.
Both players already have Championship experience and Mehmeti's arrival is one that has serious excitement attached to it given his form in League One this season. Cornick was believed to be a summer transfer target, but the money available meant that they could get him sooner.
Cornick and Mehmeti could both make their debuts this weekend for Bristol City, but when everyone is fit, how could an 18-man match-day squad look like?
5. LB: Cam Pring
Pring’s the first choice left-back at the minute and he deserves it. Scored his first goal for the club earlier this season and really loves to bomb forward. | Getty Images Photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images
6. Matty James
Matty James’ work is unseen and you won’t notice him for any skill, dribbles, assists or goals. He does however act as a good protector for the defence, and works great alongside Naismith to allow Alex Scott to roam. | Getty Images Photo: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
7. CM: Alex Scott
The star-boy stays at City despite his list of admirers growing. Scott in that ten role behind the strikers works well and he’s already got more assists than last year, but just needs to add more goals. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
8. CM: Kal Naismith
Naismith could play goalkeeper if you’d asked him to, he’s so versatile. The move into the centre of midfield looks to be a masterstroke as he’s had a real impact, he offers solidity in his new position. | Getty Images Photo: Dan Isitene/Getty Images