Bristol City have managed to build an incredibly well-balanced and hard-to-beat defence in recent transfer windows that has provided a solid foundation for Liam Manning’s side.
The likes of Rob Dickie and Luke McNally have joined players such as Zak Vyner, Rob Atkinson and Kal Naismith to ensure that the centre-back position is one of the most well-stocked at Ashton Gate currently. On top of that, young talents like Josh Campbell-Slowey and Raphael Arayoe are waiting in the wings to offer their support if and when required.
That strength in depth hasn’t made it easy for young defenders to break into the City first-team in the past, as Duncan Idehen found out first-hand. The centre-back made his debut under Nigel Pearson and showed plenty of promise, but left Ashton Gate as a free agent last summer after a loan spell with Bath City.
Because of the competition for places in BS3, the decision was taken to allow young defender Jamie Knight-Lebel to leave the West Country on loan during the summer transfer window, with the 19-year-old joining League Two side Crewe Alexandra on a temporary basis.
The Canadian international made three appearances for the Robins last season but primarily featured for the Under-21s while also regularly being named among the substitutes in the Championship, however, technical director Brian Tinnion felt the time had come for the teenager to play regular first-team football.
“Jamie is an exceptional talent and a player we’re really excited about,” admitted Tinnion. “This is a great opportunity for him to play regular football at a good level.”
Under the management of Lee Ball in League Two, the Alex sit third in the table, only four points adrift of table toppers Port Vale. So far this term, Knight-Lebel has 13 appearances in the league, 11 of which have seen him named in the starting line-up and he has even made his international debut for Canada.
We caught up with Tim Robinson from The Railwaymen Podcast to find out how the 19-year-old is getting on at the Mornflake Stadium.
How would you sum up Knight-Lebel’s loan so far?
He’s impressed. He began his loan spell on the bench, but Crewe started their League Two season with 0-1 and 0-5 defeats. He came in after that and was part of a defence that quickly tightened up. Crewe have only conceded seven goals in the 11 games he’s played, and only lost once, as the team have moved up the table impressively. He’s generally played on the right side of Crewe’s back three in their 3-5-2.
He’s linked up well with his teammates, playing next to senior pros in Ryan Cooney the right wing-back and captain Mickey Demetriou, who plays in the middle of the three and is often seen instructing both Knight-Lebel and young Zac Williams who plays as the left-sided member of the gang of three. He has barely put a foot wrong this season. He’s been a major factor in a thriving team so it’s been a successful loan in any way you care to measure it.
Has it been a surprise to see him on the bench against Port Vale and Carlisle?
James Connolly came in and performed well in Knight-Lebel’s first international absence in October, but he came straight back into the team once he was available. Connolly again proved a reliable replacement as Knight-Lebel went on international duty again in November. As he was making his Canada debut against Suriname, Connolly was helping Crewe keep a clean sheet in a 2-0 win against high-fliers Notts County. Connolly played very well and had to keep his place, but I’ve no doubt we’ll see Knight-Lebel back in the team very soon.
He’s highly thought of at Bristol City, how have the Crewe fans taken to him?
He has been described by some Crewe fans as a Rolls Royce of a defender, and Rolls Royces are something the people of Crewe know a lot about. He’s impressed us with his calm demeanour and cool head. If he keeps up this form up for the whole season I would expect him to be in contention for Player of the Season. Crewe fans know more than most not to fall in love with loan players, we’ve been burnt too many times before, but we’ve certainly taken a shine to him.
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Would you expect him to remain at Crewe beyond the January transfer window?
I’d expect Bristol City to be happy with his loan spell so far. He’s made his international debut and has been an important part of a team that’s putting together a superb season. Of course, they might feel they want to test him at League One level for the second half of the season, but if he was my player I’d be keeping him at Crewe where he’s playing and playing well in a winning team.
Do you think he has what it takes to push for a place in the Bristol City first team next season?
Possibly, but it is a big step from League Two to the Championship so he might be better off taking an intermediate step. He doesn’t rely on any one component of his game. Indeed, he does everything well. His one-on-one defending is good, and he’s rarely beaten on the ground or in the air. His best quality is probably his unflappable nature, which means he doesn’t panic when he’s defending, and he also uses the ball well.
He looks like he’s been playing in the EFL for some time. Considering he’s only played a dozen games that is a good sign for the level he can eventually reach. I suspect he will be a Championship player, but next season might be a little soon for him to push for a place in the Bristol City first team.