Tinnion is doing a 'great job' - Lansdown

Brian Tinnion is Bristol City's technical director

Bristol City owner Steve Lansdown has defended technical director Brian Tinnion, saying he's been a big part of the club's progression.

Tinnion came under fire from some Robins fans as the club made no signings during the transfer window, with four players leaving Ashton Gate on loan and Tommy Backwell joining Cheltenham on a permanent deal, despite City being on the fringes of the Championship play-off race.

Lansdown told BBC Radio Bristol criticism was "part of football" but added: "Tinns has been with us for a long time. I made him manager, I sacked him as manager, he's come back in to get involved with the academy and recruitment which is what he really loves doing, he's brilliant at it.

"He's not somebody who sits on a board and makes financial or contract decisions, he's very much the football guru we turn to for an opinion.

"He does a great job, he works so hard. He's an easy target for people to say 'things aren't going right, let's blame Brian Tinnion,' but things wouldn't be going so well if it weren't for Brian Tinnion, that's what people have got to remember.

"You're not going to get every decision right, but as long as you get more decisions right than wrong you'll be ok."

A last-gasp equaliser at Cardiff kept the Robins outside the top-six, though they bounced back with two late goals to beat Middlesbrough on Friday night.

"We are making progress and I think that's the thing," Lansdown added. "I know sometimes it's not quick enough and there's frustration when you're four minutes away from being in the top six and then you're not, but you've got to take those blows – we're still in the hunt and that's the key."