Season Preview - Bristol City

Bristol City are looking for a fresh start as they head into the upcoming Championship season.

The Robins finished 17th last seasons and will be hoping to cement their place as a solid Championship outfit.

We asked Bristol City fans on the One Team in Bristol forum about their hopes for the season.

"For me I'm very much looking forward to the season" said Bs4Red, "after scraping through last season it's great to have a fresh start. I think the players we currently have at the club are a season wiser and also the back end of season form was excellent so I'm hoping with a few new additions we will be looking at a solid season."

samo II added, "my thoughts revolve around two big questions, really. First is; was our decent opening/closing form last season or the record losing run the 'true' Bristol City under Lee Johnson? And second is; are the players we have now better than those at this point last season?"

"I don't think we'll know the answer till we kick back off, but I am worried that after the large-scale recruitment last term, much of the squad is the same, and unless the existing group improve notably (which is possible) we shouldn't expect a huge improvement."

"Realistically, at the moment I think we'll struggle. We survived by the skin of our teeth last season and we actually have a weaker squad now than we did then. More signings are needed, and at the moment a finish of around 12th-15th without any real danger of relegation would be a result" added Jacki.

When asked which position City are likely to finish, Bs4Red said "I think we will finish around 14th this season and have a pretty quiet and easy season. Never in threat of play offs or relegation."

"My guess as things stand, 15th - 21st, hoping that if things don't go well, there are 3 teams worse than us" said Chappers.

reddogkev added "I'm hoping City will finish in the top ten, but at the moment I don't feel that we've made the signings to really push for this. BCFC need to grow in the Championship and I'd love City to battle for the play-offs ideally within 2 seasons. Whether the club share this ethos, I don't know. This season, I'd see us finishing 15th, unless we weave some more magic in the window."

Most fans see Diedhiou as being the key players for Bristol City this season. "Diedhiou, without question" said samo II, "Diedhiou will have to prove himself and if he does he will be key" added JBFC II.

"Tammy Abraham was a revelation, and the season before Jonathan Kodjia's contribution was crucial in keeping us up. We've lent heavily on a single, potent goal scorer each season we've been back at this level, and think we'll need to once more" said samo II.

"Equally, I think either Flint (if he stays) or Wright, or both will be crucial to how we progress; the arrival of the latter coincided with a bit of a back-to-basics approach at the back, which I think we need to maintain in order to survive again this year."

"And as always; Korey Smith will be crucial, if he can stay fit (and he's already limped off in a friendly, unfortunately). Believe we missed him in the early part of last year, even when getting good results, and makes us both more resilient and also more dynamic when he plays. If he can avoid (or guess I should I say avoided now) another long term knock, he could be vital to us actually establishing ourselves at this level."

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Finally, when asked which fixtures fans are looking forward to, "really looking forward to Sunderland away as never been to their ground" said Bs4Red.

frenchred added "Sunderland away, not been there, and your place as I was there last time and we won!!"

"Cardiff away obviously, Villa at home should be decent but really I'm just looking forward to Barnsley at home to see where about we are squad wise" said JBFC II.

"Sunderland - new ground. Smoggies - Night in Darlo and we have a good record there. Wolves - love the Great Western and we last won there on 28/3/31, (Useless stat, on that day William Shatner was 6 days old) 19 unsuccessful visits since then" said Chappers.