Nigel Pearson eyes new signing Harry Cornick to predominantly play through the middle of the front three with Bristol City boasting an array of options going forward.
The 27-year-old, who joined from Luton Town for a low six-figure fee on deadline day, is versatile to playing anywhere across the attack having also featured as a No10 for the Hatters this season. Cornick made his Robins debut last week in the 2-1 victory over Preston, replacing Nahki Wells as the central striker.
Following Antoine Semenyo's departure to Bournemouth, City also pulled off a transfer coup by bolstering their forward options with Wycombe's Anis Mehmeti. The 22-year-old played on the left during his time with the Chairboys with the ability to cut in on his favoured right foot having scored nine League One goals this season.
But there is more intrigue over Cornick's position in the side given the availability at Nigel Pearson's disposal. Sam Bell's emergence and form over the last month have been hugely impressive with four goals in four games on the left of the three.
On the right side, Mark Sykes and Andi Weimann are competing for that position with the former scoring four in his last five matches. Nahki Wells is seemingly the first-choice central striker but Tommy Conway, the club's joint top-scorer with nine, will also add to the strikeforce once he recovers from a hamstring injury.
That effectively leaves seven players competing for three positions when everyone is fit albeit Weimann can drop into a flat three in midfield or in the No10 role. When asked where Pearson sees Cornick's most effective role going forward, he responded: "When you play with three up top and we play with one wider than the other in possession, out of possession they've got their jobs to do and work as a three or a four if you include Alex Scott in No10 position.
"We signed him as a player we know is versatile but the simple answer to your question is, I think he will offer a very interesting threat for us down the middle. Just because of his aerial prowess, his ability to run and he's got good pace too."
Mehmeti was an unused substitute last weekend and is pushing for his debut when Norwich arrive at Ashton Gate on Saturday. Given how he's impressed in training since his arrival, Pearson says he is chomping at the bit to get his Robins career underway.
"They've both adapted very quickly, they're both training very well and look ready for their opportunities when they come.
"It's really important that those players, although Anis didn't get his chance, he's a quick learner and he's looking at everything through the eyes of a player that's saying 'I know what I need to do when I get on'.
"For the players in the team, they know that so they know they need to work hard to stay there. That's the beauty of competition."
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