Bristol City had an excellent summer transfer window by all accounts, and they were able to keep hold of their key stars throughout.
Emil Riis was the key addition for the Robins, while Adam Randell arrived from Plymouth Argyle and he has already hit the ground running.
Gerhard Struber masterminded a 4-1 victory over Sheffield United on the opening day of the campaign, and while the team have perhaps not hit those heights since, there is substantial proof of their play-off credentials.
However, that could have all been so different had Bristol City sold Jason Knight in the transfer window, with the midfielder still at Ashton Gate.
Exclusive: How Bristol City felt about Everton’s Jason Knight interest this summer
Everton showed interest in Knight earlier this summer, but a move never materialised and our Chief Football Correspondent, Graeme Bailey, has exclusively told EFL Analysis how close a deal was to happening.
Jason Knight of Bristol City celebrates scoring his teams second goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Plymouth Argyle FC and Bristol City FC
Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images
He said: “I don’t think it was a risk. There was Everton and Burnley interest and other Premier League teams here and there. Even Ipswich and Norwich at some point inquired, but there was never a sense that Bristol City were looking to sell.
“At this point I think they were happy to keep him and back Struber and that’s the same with someone like Scott Twine as well. I know Scott Twine attracted interest late into the window as well but Bristol City, though they may not be the biggest spenders in the world, they obviously brought Struber in and they’re showing some ambition, plus they’re playing fantastically well.
“So, I think allowing Knight or even Twine to go would have been completely against the plan and the wrong thing to do. So, no, they never showed a real inclination to let him go.”
Jason Knight has started this season excellently
At just 24, Knight has an incredible amount of experience, having already played 276 senior games in his career.
He is the captain of Bristol City, and it is clear to see why. The Republic of Ireland international a real leader in the middle of the park and his energy is crucial to his team’s success.
Jason Knight of Bristol City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham City and Bristol City
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
The former Derby County ace was superb against Hull City in the Robins’ most recent game, and he has a never-say-die attitude that Struber will love.
Keeping him away from the Premier League will only be tougher as the years go by, but this should be seen as a successful summer based solely on the fact that Knight remains at Bristol City.