'Familiar deflated feeling' over transfer window

City go into the international break buoyed by going unbeaten in four league games and off the back of a hugely entertaining 4-2 win over Hull City at the weekend, where the collective number of shots in the match was an abnormally high 49.

A little over 48 hours later, many City fans have that all too familiar deflated feeling as the transfer window slammed shut and the yearned-for additional striker did not materialise. A striker that would shore up an attacking lineup that, should Emil Riis get injured, is woefully weak.

There was one signing in the form of Brazilian Neto Borges on loan from Middlesbrough, who will offer something to City's defensive left flank. But that's it.

The club did resist offers for defender Zak Vyner who wasn't pushing for a move but who can leave for nothing in the summer. Being out of contract he can probably secure a better personal deal for himself then, unless he signs a new deal at City in the meantime.

City were looking to move on probably three of the four strikers of whom the general consensus is that none are up to the task of being effective in the Championship.

They succeeded to move on only one as Sam Bell went on a season-long loan to Wycombe Wanderers. It's somewhere his father Micky played for before joining City in the late 90s, with Micky eventually becoming a key member of the John Ward-led promotion side of 1997-98.

There were no takers for Sinclair Armstrong, Harry Cornick nor Fally Mayulu although the latter has offered some hope that he can contribute with a couple of promising late substitute appearances.

All in all there is an argument to say this has been a successful summer in terms of recruitment and retention. Riis and goalkeeper Radek Vitek appear to be inspired signings and after two-and-a-half years out through injury, you could argue Rob Atkinson is as good as a new one too.

Many expected Jason Knight to attract interest from a Premier League club but it never came. Adam Randell - the player City signed for £500,000 from Plymouth Argyle and was seen as a likely replacement for Knight had he gone - has probably been our best player so far.

Playing alongside the Irishman Knight in midfield the pair have a style suited to 'Struberball'.

City face a batch of five fixtures before the next international break which starts 6 October. If they can maintain their current top six position in the Championship table during this run it will bode well for the rest of the season.

You can hear more from David Pottier on the Forever Bristol City podcast.