Bristol City time reminder raised after summer of 'unbelievable' change

City get the 2026/27 campaign and Michael Skubala's tenure officially underway in a little over a week's time when they welcome Walsall to Ashton Gate in the first round of this season's Carabao Cup.

The Saddlers' visit to south Bristol comes 96 days after the Reds' last competitive fixture, a final-day win over Stoke City.

Between the two games, seven players have been signed, three have departed, Skubala has succeeded interim boss Roy Hodgson, James Ellis has been named sporting director and Brian Tinnion has left his role as technical director.

All of those changes followed Charlie Boss' appointment as CEO in February and the addition of Richard Scudamore to the City board last November. In truth, barring a handful of players and staff, the Robins who face Walsall will bear little resemblance to the Reds that started last term.

In the eyes of ex-City forward Rosenior, and most fans, such alterations have been welcome tweaks. While the now-Robins TV regular has been quick to praise the new hierarchy for their swift work, he is adamant time will have to be afforded after such a re-shuffle.

"When Charlie Boss arrived, there was that lull, wasn't there? When Roy Hodgson came in, we were all waiting for something to happen," Rosenior told Bristol Live. "Then James Ellis came in; what it said to me was that that period where Ellis hadn't been appointed - I think everybody was aware that he was coming in - was used really well.

"What I would say is, they've come in and hit the ground running. It's not just about getting people in, it's about how you move people out. There have been people moved on, but it's been done in an incredibly professional way.

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"The way they've moved, the swiftness with which they've moved, and the order in which they've done it - Vitek going out the door was massive; there was lots of concern over how are you going to replace him? Well, that was the first thing they did.

"Then, obviously, they brought in experience at the top end of the pitch and the young players who've got lots of potential. They signed a striker, a midfield player who looks really athletic, and with all these things, you go, 'That makes sense, and that makes sense.'

"The one thing you've got to say is they've moved with incredible speed, but the change has been unbelievable on and off the pitch and football is a game where people need time," the former forward continued. "What I think they've brought themselves is time because people trust what they're doing.

"I'm not saying that they have given away control, but I think they've given enough leeway to the likes of Charlie Boss and James Ellis. That's why they want to come into the club, and it's been shown in how they've been able to recruit on and off the pitch.

"I think all City fans think that bodes well for the future. But one thing you have to give people is time, because there's been a lot of change.

"I think that will give them time to get this into place, to gel this together, and the short-term to medium-term future of the club looks really good."

After next week's meeting with Walsall, the Robins have the best part of nine days to prepare for their first Championship contest of the campaign, with Millwall set to travel to the West Country on Saturday, August 15.

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Skubala's side then have a run of seven further league games leading into the first international break of the term. Trips to Birmingham City, Preston North End, Burnley and Southampton are interspersed by the visits of Portsmouth, Lincoln City and Watford to Ashton Gate.

For much of that run, the Reds will be able to further reinforce their squad, with deadline day falling at 11pm on Tuesday, September 1 - the same night that City will face Preston at Deepdale.

While Skubala, after Saturday's friendly win over Swindon Town, suggested the Robins had moved into "another phase" in terms of recruitment, the 43-year-old was clear that he and the hierarchy above him in BS3 had "not finished recruiting."

The manager's hope is that come the end of the window, another one or two additions will have been made to bolster the playing group.