Why Will Vaulks could be a good signing for Bristol City

According to Mail Online (h/t Bristol Live), Bristol City are among a host of clubs linked with a move for Cardiff City midfielder Will Vaulks, who has found regular minutes hard to come by at the Welsh capital this season.

Championship rivals Stoke City and League One promotion-hopefuls Sunderland have also been credited with an interest in the 26-year-old, who only moved to Cardiff for a fee of around £2million from relegated Rotherham United this past summer. (Mail Online h/t Bristol Live)

Vaulks was one of the shining lights of the Millers’ relegation campaign in the Championship last season but he has suffered a significant fall in grace since his switch to South Wales. The Welsh midfielder has clocked up only 12 appearances for the Bluebirds in all competitions so far, starting only thrice in the league.

Meanwhile, Bristol City registered their second consecutive victory in the Championship with a 1-0 win against relegation-threatened Barnsley on Saturday, thanks to a late winner from Niclas Eliasson.

The Robins have plundered 42 goals in 28 games so far, which puts them right up there with some of the best in the Championship but a defensive record of 40 goals shipped needs some improvement, with the race for the playoffs set to heat up in the coming months. 

Realistically, Bristol City haven’t been all that poor defensively but it is worth pointing out that they have left a lot to desire with their stability in the middle of the park. 

The sale of Marlon Pack to Cardiff City in the summer has come back to bite them hard, with Korey Smith often struggling with injuries and Han-Noah Massengo failing to provide that defensive cover due to his inexperience at the highest level.

Verdict

The 26-year-old impressed with 7 goals and 7 assists in a struggling Rotherham side in the Championship the last term and even broke into the Welsh national side managed by Ryan Giggs as a result of his stellar displays. 

Moreover, with Smith out of contract at the end of the season and Josh Brownhill continuing to attract interest from Premier League sides Burnley, Sheffield United and Brighton (h/t Bristol Live), the Robins might have to start bracing themselves for a midfield reshuffle.

All in all, Bristol City completing a move for Will Vaulks could solve a nagging issue in a key area of the pitch for Lee Johnson.