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?
13. Jay Dasilva
No Deadline Day move for Dasilva, despite being Coventry City’s top target. Dasilva’s down the pecking order now, but is still a good option to have as back-up | Getty Images Photo: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
14. Mark Sykes
Perhaps harsh to drop Sykes to the bench, especially after a scoring run in January. He’s also able to play wing-back or in central midfield so an option worth having. | Getty Images Photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images
15. Tomas Kalas
It’s an attack-minded bench, but Kalas when back to fitness can provide cover for if Atkinson or Vyner get injured. | Getty Images Photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images
16. Harry Cornick
Cornick’s one goal this season has him on the bench but he reached double figures last season. | Rogan/Fever Pitch Photo: Rogan/Fever Pitch