 Smith rebuilt the defence for 1993 – 94 , signing right @-@ back Brian Mitchell and centre @-@ back David Thompson , and oversaw a mixed start to the season . City won four straight home games but also lost 5 – 1 to West Ham , 5 – 0 at Newcastle , and most significantly 4 – 0 to local rivals Bristol Rovers at Twerton Park . He found it difficult to control the club 's talented and popular players , as Dziekanowski regularly got into trouble in his social life and skilled left @-@ winger Junior Bent was unwilling to deliver crosses as regularly as Smith demanded . He tried to sell Bent but was unable to have the deal sanctioned by the club 's directors . His relationship with the board was poor and he found himself regularly undermined and sensitive boardroom discussions were leaked . He also tried to sell Cole in order to provide funds to restructure the first team but again the board refused to sanction the deal . He was sacked on 21 January 1993 following a run of 10 matches without a victory , and his assistant Russell Osman was appointed as his successor . 
