The January transfer window is notoriously difficult to navigate but Bristol City have plenty of reasons to be optimistic heading into a new month.
Three new signings came through the door in goalkeeper Nikita Haikin, attacking midfielder Anis Mehmit and forward Harry Cornick. Despite City having a relatively slim squad before the transfer window, nine players departed in Ryley Towler, Dan Bentley, Han-Noah Massengo, Chris Martin, Timm Klose, Stefan Bajic, Joe Low, Dylan Kadji and of course, Antoine Semenyo.
The arrivals bring their own qualities and despite the sacrifices of losing players that have been loyal servants and strong characters in the dressing room, City crucially managed to reduce the wage bill and balance the books.
In an ideal world, City would have welcomed at least two more names on deadline day but deals to sign AFC Wimbledon's Jack Currie and central defender Jake O'Brien but the club stayed true to their word in not being held to ransom and overpaying for their targets.
There are 18 Championship games remaining and an FA Cup tie with Manchester City on the horizon as we assess the state of play with City's squad heading into the final four months of the season.
Goalkeeper
There was a shake-up of the goalkeeping department with captain Bentley heading for Wolves on a permanent deal with Haikin coming in on a free transfer to provide competition for Max O'Leary.
Given Bentley was one of the top earners in the squad and with a contract expiring at the end of the season, it represented a shrewd piece of business which helped further reduce the wage bill. Unless you're a big follower of Norwegian football, Haikin arrives at Ashton Gate as a relatively unknown quantity but with plenty of success following his spell with Bodo/Glimt.
Whether he gets his opportunity remains to be seen because O'Leary is deservedly holding his on to his No1 shirt. However, on the surface of it, Haikin would see as more than adequate back-up having won two league titles with experience of playing in the Europa League.
Stefan Bajic was allowed to head to Valenciennes on loan for the rest of the season where he will gain important first-team experience before returning to City in the summer. That means Harvey Wiles-Richards is likely to be the third choice for the rest of the campaign with Will Buse currently on loan with Yeovil Town.
All in all, Pearson can be content with the options at his disposal in goal but the department may have to be looked at once again in the summer when Haikin's contract comes to an end.
Central defence
City wanted to sign Jake O'Brien on loan this month from Crystal Palace but the two clubs failed to agree on a loan fee. When you take a look at the squad depth chart, it does expose a lack of options in central defence.
The recent tactical move to a back four has provided a little more flexibility with Kal Naismith dropping into the defensive midfield where he continues to develop in that role. Zak Vyner is enjoying a brilliant season and has made that right central defensive position his own while his partnership with Rob Atkinson is improving as a duo.
That pairing are seemingly the first choice with Tomas Kalas returning to the squad from injury as back-up. When fully fit, Kalas could get into any defence in the division but there lies the biggest dilemma.
The 29-year-old has faced a string of unfortunate and lengthy injuries which has limited him to just two brief Championship substitute appearances this season. Pearson seems to be very encouraged with his recovery and fitness but it's a tough ask for a player to come straight back into the side following a spell on the sidelines and pick up where he left off.
Touchwood Vyner and Atkinson can keep themselves fit for the duration of the season but until Kalas is involved regularly, it's difficult to assess his levels of match fitness while he undoubtedly may need a few minutes to dust those cobwebs from the boots.
The likelihood is that Kalas would come into the back four instead of Naismith dropping back but the versatility of the former Luton man means he does provide an extra option, particularly on the left side of the defensive duo. That would leave a gap in defensive midfield which Andy King, Matty James or Joe Williams are capable of filling.
Duncan Idehen returned from his disappointing loan spell with Carlisle at the beginning of January and provides cover but barring a major injury crisis at the back, it's unlikely he'll feature for the seniors this season. He'll probably be behind King in the pecking order should Pearson call on the veteran to fill the void.
Timm Klose's departure by mutual termination of his contract on Tuesday was best for all parties with his final appearance coming in the defeat against Lincoln while Low's loan to Walsall does leave City short of cover.
Full-backs
Kane Wilson's impending return from injury will almost feel like a new signing with his City career yet to take off following his arrival from Forest Green Rovers in the summer. However, he will have to remain patient on that right side given the consistency of George Tanner's performances.
Having moved to a back four, Tanner is more suited to the full-back position while Wilson prides his game on pushing forward and contributing assists as a wing-back. They are two relatively inexperienced players at this level meaning they are still adapting to the pace of the game but Wilson's return will provide healthy competition with the duo set to battle it out for game time between now and the end of the season.
On the other flank, Jay Dasilva may not have got his move to Coventry after a deal to sign AFC Wimbledon's Jack Currie failed to materialise, but his experience and quality will provide more than adequate competition for Cam Pring who has cemented that position as his own over the last two months.
City are strong down that left side while Wilson or Tanner could shift across if the duo are unavailable at any point.
Midfield
City do look light in defensive midfield and in the centre of the park in general should they have a handful of injuries. Alex Scott, Matty James and Naismith have built the foundations of a successful dynamic that allows Scott to press forward knowing he has the defensive security of his teammates behind him.
A natural defensive midfielder would have certainly added something to the squad and perhaps it's an area of the squad that the club will revisit in the summer. Joe Williams is versatile in playing in the holding role or as a No8 although King can also provide cover until the end of the season before his contract comes to an end.
Han-Noah Massengo departed for Auxerre on loan and while there's undoubted quality and potential in his game, his absence won't have a major impact given he hasn't featured since the start of October. Likewise with Dylan Kadji's loan to Swindon Town, the youngster needs game time and that represents an opportunity for Omar Taylor-Clarke to add to his two senior appearances.
He's a tenacious midfielder who is full of energy and is likely to make bit-part cameos towards the end of games with the likes of King and Williams ahead in the pecking order. Although he's another talent to come through the academy and exposing him to the first-team environment will only benefit him in the long-run.
There's little doubt the three-pronged midfield of Naismith, James and Scott will be first choice from here on out but any lengthy injury absences and City's lack of depth may be exposed.
Forwards
The transfer priority switched following Antoine Semenyo's move to Bournemouth and with Tommy Conway out until at least March with a hamstring injury, it was imperative City strengthened this area of the field this month.
That welcomed not one, but two new arrivals in Mehmeti and Cornick which is arguably some of the best pieces of business throughout the Championship. Mehmeti is the maverick Pearson wanted and he occupies that left position with the ability to cut in on his right foot.
Given the reaction from those at Wycombe, his quality in plain to see and he'll get supporters on their feet by producing moments of magic. The only slight immediate concern is how ready he will be to hit the ground running instantly.
Mehmeti does have Championship experience when he came through Gareth Ainsworth's side in their 2020/21 relegation season having played 29 times in total. During the previous 18 months, he has been growing his reputation in League One and already has nine goals to his name this campaign.
That left side may look sparse but Sam Bell showed last Saturday that he can make an impact there with his pace while new signing Harry Cornick is also versatile to playing across the front three. Down the middle, Wells and Conway (when fit) will feature regularly and while there is depth down the right in Andi Weimann, Mark Sykes and Cornick.
What is important to note is that the arrivals of Cornick and Mehmeti offer a fluidity and dynamism that allows Pearson the opportunity to chop and change the positioning of his front line during a game.
Given the form of Bell, Wells and Sykes in the emphatic victory over West Brom, that trio deserve to keep their places in the side to take on Preston but Pearson has options at his disposal to alter the course of the game if he needs to.
Chris Martin was another to leave on deadline day by mutual termination and while he departs with fond memories of goals against Cardiff, Pearson's requirement of playing forwards with high intensity means he fell out-of-favour in his plans as the season progressed.
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