During the preseason, Liam Manning will include a number of players from the U21 and U18 squads, which will enable him assess what will be best for their development in 2024–2025.
Technical director Brian Tinnion of Bristol City acknowledges that the organisation is considering loan alternatives for Jamie Knight-Lebel, a talented central defence player, for the upcoming season in an effort to “toughen him up,” given the expectation that he will break into the starting lineup within the next two years.
Knight-Lebel, the captain of the Under-21 team, made three memorable appearances in the previous season: he played 17 minutes and made his debut in Nigel Pearson’s final game as manager at; he also played in extra time against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup fourth round replay at the City Ground; and in April, he made his debut at Ashton Gate against Blackburn Rovers.
Bristol City’s technical director Brian Tinnion has revealed that the team is thinking about loan options for their talented central defender Jamie Knight-Lebel for the next campaign in an attempt to “toughen him up,” since it is anticipated that he will make his debut in the starting lineup in the next two years.
Knight-Lebel, the Under-21 team captain, had three memorable performances last season: he played 17 minutes and made his debut in Cardiff City’s final game under Nigel Pearson as manager; he also played in extra time in the FA Cup fourth round replay at the City Ground against Nottingham Forest; and he made his debut at Ashton Gate against Blackburn Rovers in April.
In an interview with the Forever Bristol City podcast, Tinnion laid out the defender’s long-term goals, indicating that League Two or the National League will probably be his next stop on the developmental ladder.
“It’s great for him that he’s on standby for Canada and the entire international team,” Tinnion remarked. “Has trained with the first team for the past four to five months, can play with the ball, and appears at ease in the current setting.”
“He probably needs to play men’s football to get a little bit tougher. He is a wonderful lad, a lovely lad, but can we go to League Two and get smacked around a little bit by some huge ugly striker who wants to bash him about?
“But Jamie is a talented player, and we fully anticipate that he will be ready to play for our club in at least a year and a half. Jamie is another player who has been around it; he came on at Forest and played 25–30 minutes, so he’s had some wonderful experiences. He has everything: he can play with the ball, he can head it, and he can travel out with the ball if the space is there.
Seb Palmer-Houlden is one academy player who has greatly benefited from a loan transfer and is likely currently where City believes Knight-Lebel will be in a year.
The 20-year-old forward had a very successful nine months away from Ashton Gate, winning the League Two team’s Young Player of the Season award. He also had a hamstring injury that sidelined him for ten weeks. In 42 games, he scored nine goals and added two assists.
Palmer-Houlden has trained with the first team and will be evaluated throughout the preseason to see if he is ready to compete in the Championship in 2024–2025 as well as whether there are enough opportunities for him to advance at the senior level.
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