‘The club should be commended for their philosophy in recent years’

Bristol City ended 2017 second in the Championship and in the semi-finals of the Caraboa Cup. Who would have predicted that, one year on from our terrible run of eight successive league defeats, the club would be in such a strong position?

That question was meant rhetorically, but, thinking about it, if there was one person who might have envisaged the club’s remarkable turn around in good fortune, that man would be Lee Johnson. Our charismatic leader, aided by Dean Holden and Jamie McAllister, has certainly enjoyed an incredible change of not only fortunes but popularity too.

The club should be commended also for their philosophy of recent years, bringing in young and talented players with a view to develop each individual. When you look at the likes of O’Dowda, Pack, Brownhill, Smith and others, its hard to not be impressed by how much each player has improved.

The new year started as the previous one had ended: with a loss to a side from Birmingham. The Wolves game was a frustrating watch as City were made to pay for a few naïve decisions. Fielding was somewhat rash in the manner in which he rushed out; Flint should have gone back to the defensive line once we went one goal up; Pack should have cleared his lines rather than attempting a Cruyff turn in the last minute.

The Villa game was also disappointing but I don’t think I remember City losing by such a significant margin and for there to be pretty much zero criticism of the team. I think everybody realised the Villa match was one game too far for a team that had played-out no less that eight games in thirty-two days.

Johnson is now faced with what some may see as a selection dilemma going into this weekend’s Watford match. We know there will be changes, but how many? If I was picking the side I would not select any of the players that started the loss to Aston Villa, meaning the team would be made up of fringe players and youngsters.

The strength in depth within the squad I boasted about at the start of the season will not help us out this weekend as the group is so depleted with injuries. That depletion will give Johnson and and his management team further issues in respect to the January transfer window. Should the club delve into the transfer market or wait for said injured players to return?

This question is highlighted in our options up-front. I make it that City have no less that seven potential striking options (Taylor, Djuric, Diedhiou, Engvall, Reid, Woodrow and Hinds) within their first team squad, yet I would imagine most City fans would say we need to bolster our numbers up-front.

We have had centre-backs Hordur Magnuson and Bailey Wright playing as full-backs and our midfield four have played nearly every minute of those eight games, so, in short, we need some help for the players that have achieved so much already this season. As to whether that support comes in the shape of permanent or temporary signings, it remains to be seen.

Johnson seems to have been ruffling a few feathers recently with his post-match comments directed towards the Aston Villa fans and comments towards the F.A. regarding the rules around loaning players. I am not adverse to Johnson speaking his mind and its good to see him bullish mood. My only concern is he also recently said he’d been studying Jose Mourinho in interviews; lets hope he is not trying to emulate the Manchester United manager’s combative interview style.

Bristol City sold out the away end at the Etihad in double quick time over the festive period and the 7,600 plus we are taking will be the biggest away contingent the stadium has seen in its fifteen year history. To those going: have an amazing time and do our club proud. Fingers crossed the game will still be in the balance for the return leg at Ashton Gate.

Follow Dave Skinner on Twitter: @DavesBCFCblog