In the 14th of a series of pre-season reports, HarryfromBath assesses the mood around the Championship clubs by delving into their forums, focusing here on how things have been for the Robins this summer. A report on Reading will follow later today with all of the teams in the division covered by the start of the season.

“You cannot but be optimistic, we are playing fantastically well”, “We look a good side based on this and are quite entertaining to watch with plenty of spark, creativity and exuberance”, “Overall I am pretty optimistic that City will do very well this season”, “I’m actually quite excited by this season.”

“It is all down to whether last season saw a good team suffering an awful blip or a bad team having two periods of average form. Only time will tell.” The Robins endured something of a rollercoaster last year, suffering a collapse in form bracketed by a strong start and conclusion to their campaign.

This has tempered expectations for the coming season. “I can’t see us challenging at the top of the table but would hope that we will be challenging mid-table and edge close to the play-offs if we get a decent run”, “I have seen the highs and lows over the years, and where we are now isn’t so bad.”

“I’m not saying we’re play-off candidates, but we will see hard-working players, ground-out points and good squad harmony, looking forward to it”, “I can’t wait for Saturday, back in the routine. I feel really quite positive about the coming season”, “This place will be a war zone next week if we lose.”

Lee Johnson

“I think the outcome of our season will come down to how much Lee Johnson as learned from last season”, “I like his enthusiasm for the game and the way he talks about football, but admit that an improvement in results is required”, “I don’t believe he will survive anything other than a solid start.”

Lee Johnson

Many Robins are reserving judgement on the 36-year-old after last season’s collapse in form. “If he maintains a solid shape and the team are well-structured and drilled, I have high hopes. If he chops, changes and experiments with the formation in every game, I would fear a repeat of last season.”

“I don’t expect him to keep his job if the season follows the same pattern as last year”, “The start of the season is make or break for him. His career is overshadowed by the awful November to February run last season and it will take a lot to gain the trust and confidence of many fans because of that.”

Fine-Tuning the Squad

“Johnson said that he wanted to work with a smaller squad this season and that any signings would be quality as opposed to quantity, which is what we did last season”, “I am happy with our business so far. We have not lost any young players and have added a couple you would think are upgrades.”

Tammy Abraham

Three players have left Ashton Gate this summer. Striker Tammy Abraham returned to parent club Chelsea after a successful loan spell and right-back Mark Little has moved to Bolton. The most talked about move undoubtedly has been the departure of playmaker Lee Tomlin to local rivals Cardiff City.

“It’s refreshing not having everything going through Lee Tomlin”, “He was the undoubtedly the most talented player on our books but we became a much better team when he was not on the pitch”, “I’m really pleased that Lee Johnson has shown some great leadership and moved the waster on.”

Three first-team squad players have been added. Fans have been impressed with the athleticism and footballing ability of 30-year-old right-back Eros Pisano who has arrived from Verona, while centre-half and one-time loan signing Nathan Baker has also rejoined City permanently from Aston Villa.

“With Pisano at the back, we now have an additional dimension as he appears to be very good in the air, something we have not had in that position in a long time”, “He does look good and he looks like he will score a few goals and will link well with his winger. The best way to describe him is lively.”

“Pisano clearly likes the physical side of the game and is very experienced in a culture similar to the English game. Our new striker is physically made for our game too.” The highest-profile addition has been Senegal international Famara Diedhiou, a 24-year-old striker arrived from French club Angers.

“Famara Diedhiou will be a handful”, “He will help with the new high-pressing quick-passing style. He has got in lots of running even in friendlies, chasing down defenders and spooking them into rash decisions”, “He’s a real workhorse, getting stuck in, chasing lost causes and harrying defenders.”

Pre-Season Results

“It has been a good pre-season and there seems a glimmer of hope, but there has been before. Let’s hope the first 10 games will tell us more”, “We are playing some very slick football and look a threat from set pieces”, “At times last season we were too pedestrian, but we are moving the ball quickly.”

City have had a good pre-season, beating Bath City 3-0, Yeovil Town 3-1 and Cheltenham Town 3-0 all away from home before finishing on Friday evening with a 2-0 victory at home to Dutch side FC Twente. Their only reverse was at Torquay where a largely second string XI were beaten 2-0.

The team which started against FC Twente (above) is widely expected to begin their campaign next weekend. New addition Nathan Baker is seen as a likely first-team player, but the centre-half was only introduced to the home crowd on Friday and is suspended for Saturday’s game with Barnsley.

The side which concluded Friday night’s game (above) gives an idea of the wider Robins’ squad this season. Many fans believe that the arrival of Baker has paved the way for fellow centre-half Aden Flint to depart before the transfer window closes. “I can’t begrudge him a move if he feels it best.”

“Flint has given his all for us and was magnificent in our promotion year. Thanks for everything Aden. You’re a City legend”, “The presentation of Flint as a top centre-back makes me smile. He lacks pace, gets done on the turn and has had some horrific defensive games, but he will go down as a legend.”

Events at Charlton

“Brentford are my dark horses for the season”, “Mine too, they seem to be a team on the up, whereas Ipswich…” Saturday’s calamity at the Valley did not go unnoticed in a round-up of the weekend’s pre-season friendlies. “How long before the ‘McCarthy out’ chants at Portman Road?”

“Cole Skuse is getting a bit of stick on their forum”, “They don’t have the money to splash out, a few loans to come in and that will be it. I wouldn’t be surprised if they struggled this season.” It was interesting to note that Robins were broadly supportive of our manager looking in from a distance.

“Mick has managed to keep them safe when a lesser manager wouldn’t have. As long as he is in charge they will end up above us despite spending nothing”, “If Mick stays they will be fine. If he finally gets fed up with the owners then they will be right down at the bottom of the table.”

Websites

The busiest Robins’ message-board is the friendly and informative Bristol City Fans’ Forum.

Other Previews

@HarryFromBath

Photo: Action Images

BlueMachines added 12:51 - Jul 31 Interesting to see how other's view Muck.
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MattinLondon added 16:20 - Jul 31 Thank for all of the interesting reads Harry. Seems like everyone respects Mick - they just wouldn't want him at their club.
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Seasider added 16:37 - Jul 31 They are not as close to Ipswich as us long suffering fans so have not had to witness the dross football etc that we have to endure. There is a general recognition elsewhere that Evans in his ten invisible years ,has reduced ITFC from a club with a great past and a promising future; to one of the smaller. clubs struggling. to survive in the 2nd tier. I await Saturdays game with interest,and some trepidation!

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