Robins boss keen to boost his options at top end of the pitch

AN addition at the top end of the pitch in the January transfer window would help Bristol City, Gerhard Struber has admitted, with the Robins’ boss explaining that the decision to substitute Sinclair Armstrong against Millwall was made in part to protect the forward.

- Dan CARTER

Armstrong, pictured, led the line on his own as City were beaten 2-1 by the Lions at The Den on Monday night. Goals from Camiel Neghli and Macauley Langstaff, either side of Adam Randell’s second-half strike, ensured City would end 2025 outside of the playoff places.

Having fallen behind after 16 minutes, the Robins entered the break the better of the two sides before Randell’s first goal in red and white drew them level shortly after the restart. The midfielder's right-footed effort kick-started a spell of intense pressure, which lasted for the next 20 minutes or so.

Despite the fact that Armstrong had played an important role during that period, Struber made the call to withdraw both the Irishman and Rob Atkinson on 66 minutes, with Emil Riis and Neto Borges introduced in their place.

Though that decision has since been questioned by some fans with the benefit of hindsight, the Robins boss felt such alterations were a necessity.