‘The QPR game was one of the most enjoyable I have witnessed down the Gate for some time’

Bristol City managed to get through the hullabaloo of deadline day relatively unscathed as there were no worrying last minute transfer stories that emerged for our coveted players.

Overall, City signed three first team players during the window, two on loan, Ryan Kent and Lois Diony, and one permanently, Liam Walsh.

I think both the fans and the management team will be pretty happy with how the window has panned out for the club. We’ve strengthened in midfield – which was much needed – and have added to our attacking options. The biggest success in my view however, was not seeing any of our squad depart.

I, like most City fans, are under no illusions regarding the futures of the likes of Flint and Bryan. I am fully aware that there is every chance both will be playing Premier League football next season, but I am elated that there is still a chance they may be doing so with us.

Should City not make it to the promised land this term, I can’t see many fans begrudging such players the opportunity to test themselves against the best teams in the land week-in-week-out next season and I would say there is every chance both players might leave to do just that should we not go up.

One surprise to me is that City have failed to get a new right-back in during the window. It appears Johnson is happy to deploy Korey Smith in the role judging by our team selection against Queens Park Rangers (QPR) and recent comments made by the player himself.

In other news it has been reported this week that a group of Bristol City fans have taken legal action against the West Midlands Police force following what they consider to be their ill-treatment at an away game to Birmingham City in 2015.

Having read the fans account of events, I am sadly not at all surprised to hear of their woes and I fully support their action against the powers that be.

Over the years of supporting Bristol City both home and away, I have repeatedly witnessed the ‘heavy hand of the law’ and although I appreciate the police have a tough job, the manner in which they interact with fans is something that has been a concern of mine for some years.

I can recall several circumstances where I have witnessed over zealous policing that has led to disturbances that could have no doubt been avoided. My other concern is that often just by attending a football match you are deemed to be a risk the local community and are treated so by the police.

Sadly, a small minority of fans attending football matches do so with the intent of engaging in violent or abusive behaviour, but the important point is that this is the vast minority and treating all fans in an aggressive manner only harbours distrust and resentment of the police.

Saturday’s victory over QPR was one of the most enjoyable I have witnessed down the Gate for some time. The importance of three points was well documented before the game and being able to achieve this goal given we played sixty-plus minutes with ten men was all the more pleasing.

I was buoyed by the fact Johnson followed my advice and selected a reasonably fresh starting eleven with the likes of Ryan and Diedhiou starting. This also enabled us to have ability on the bench to bring on should we need it.

I personally thought that Baker should have been sent off, but the red card spilt my friendship group and City’s appeal to have the decision overturned was rejected meaning we will be without the impressive centre-back for a painful three games.

This will beg the question as to who will deputise? One would imagine either Magnusson or Wright and my guess is that Johnson will favour Wright and for Smith to fill in at right-back but I could see both players filling the vacancy over the next few games in all honesty.

City are once again on Sky this weekend with a Friday night game away to struggling Bolton Wanderers. Anything less than the full three points will be seen as disappointing but I have every confidence we will secure the victory.