Earlier in the season, the Robins’ leadership took the audacious choice to fire Nigel Pearson and replace him with Oxford graduate Manning.
Though it’s safe to say things haven’t gone according to plan thus far, the 38-year-old was viewed as a bright, innovative coach who might introduce a new style of play to Ashton Gate.
Even though there have been some memorable moments, such winning the FA Cup against West Ham, Manning has only won seven of the team’s 23 Championship games, and his average score per game is only 1.13, as the team currently sits in mid-table.
The upcoming season will therefore require a quick start, and the former MK Dons manager will be looking for a fruitful window to assist with that.
There are obviously gaps in the squad that need to be filled, and now we examine how Bristol City’s practical dream window might proceed.
Manning and the midfield player would have been reunited if Bristol City had made a move for Oxford’s Cameron Brannagan prior to the January transfer window.
The former Liverpool player possesses the skills the Championship team lacks in the middle of the park, so the deal would make perfect sense for them.
Being a highly skilled technical football player, Brannagan’s presence would assist Manning in implementing a more fashionable style of play. In addition, he has produced a lot, leading League One with nine goals and eight assists thus far.
Although it’s a lower level and Brannagan does receive penalties, he will still be a better player than Bristol City’s current lineup.
The U’s would definitely be moving if they didn’t get promoted.
Since none of the players in the roster have scored more than ten goals this season, the Robins’ top objective this summer must be finding a striker.
The hardest thing in football, as we all know, is finding a goal-guarantee, and Bristol City doesn’t have the financial might of many of its opponents.
They must, then, take a chance to some extent, and Divin Mubama, a young player for West Ham, might be just what they need.
Although the 19-year-old’s contract with the Hammers expires in the summer, he has been linked to a move away from the team. West Brom and Sunderland are two potential suitors as Mubama strives for more playing time.
He would receive that at Bristol City. Mubama possesses the physicality to be a legitimate focal point for Manning, and if given a weekly platform to produce, he has the potential to emerge as the goal scorer.
Although this is a fantasy window, the adolescent simply needs to look at players like Antoine Semenyo, Lloyd Kelly, and Alex Scott to see that Ashton Gate can be a springboard to regular first division football. It would be an aggressive move from City.
A loan to Bs3 might also make sense if Mubama were to sign a new contract with West Ham; Tammy Abraham gained experience there before moving on to larger things.
And last, Tommy Conway needs to sign a new contract as part of Bristol City’s ideal window.
This season, the attacker has been a rare bright spot for the Robins thanks to his impressive work ethic and mobility. He is a Scotland youth international.
Tragically for Bristol City, Conway’s exploits have drawn notice. Journalist Fabrizio Romano disclosed that Premier League teams are monitoring the 21-year-old, who has also been connected to Rangers and Celtic.
