All of those associated with Bristol City will be delighted with the way the club have conducted themselves this season, with Lee Johnson’s men in the dizzying heights of fourth place following the opening eleven rounds of fixtures.
After a poor year last term when the Robins flirted with relegation, questions were asked about the young manager, but the board’s faith in the 36-year-old is certainly being repaid.
City have looked fantastic at times this season, tearing teams apart with ease, with the club the joint second highest scorers in the league at this early stage with twenty goals.
The transformation of Bobby Reid from winger to striker has proved a masterstroke by Johnson, with the player leading the goalscoring charts with seven strikes, and things look good for the club on all fronts.
In January Johnson may decide that fresh faces are required to ensure their excellent form is continued, especially if the Robins are still flirting with promotion halfway through the season.
With that in mind, moves for these two players should certainly be on the manager’s thoughts in the coming months…
Luke Norris
A product of Brentford’s academy, 24-year-old Luke Norris is certainly finding his feet in the Football League with Swindon Town this season, with the forward already notching an impressive six strikers and a further three assists in the league this semester.
Norris showed promise whilst on the books at Griffin Park, but joined Gillingham in 2014 following his release, before linking up with Swindon - also known as the Robins - in 2016.
Relegation ensued, but form is beginning to return to the County Ground, and Swindon will certainly look to challenge for a promotion place in the fourth tier this year.
If Norris continues his fine form heading into the Christmas period, managers from higher levels will certainly keep tabs on the player, and Johnson should ensure that he heads the queue when the transfer window opens in January.
Norris would add another option to the Robins’ attack, with his versatility ensuring he can play anywhere across the front-line, and he should be on Johnson’s shortlist.
Ricky Holmes
Although the Charlton Athletic winger is heading into the second half of his career, the 30-year-old is in the midst of the best form of his career.
From the wide position at The Valley, the £225,000 rated winger has already notched four goals and six assists this early into the new campaign, and he is on course for mammoth figures if he can maintain this impressive run he is on.
Charlton are challenging at the top of the league on the back of his performances, and perhaps the former Portsmouth man deserves another crack at second tier football in January.
Another attacking option to add to an already devastating arsenal would not go amiss at Ashton Gate, and Holmes would slot seamlessly into the squad in Bristol.
The additions of Norris and Holmes would add excellent competition to the Robins’ attack heading into the second half of the season, and with both players in fine form, Johnson’s side would certainly benefit from their presence in the squad if they were to sign in January.
Who would you sign if you were in Lee Johnson's shoes this January? Have your say below...