Bristol is England’s seventh most populous city and still the largest in England yet to house a Premier League club. The bustling metropolis in the South West of England plays host to two sides: Bristol City and Bristol Rovers. One year ago, City were coming to realise that League One had many a challenge to offer after a troublesome season back in English football’s third tier. Now, on the back of a double winning season, the red side of Bristol is awash with optimism as Bristol City look to truly put the city on the footballing map.
When Steve Cotterill took over at Bristol City in December 2013, the Bristol club was bottom with only two wins from their first 17 league outings. Fast forward 21 months and the Robins enter the new Championship season having won both the League One title and the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in Cotterill’s first full season.
Backed by billionaire owner, Steve Lansdown, Cotterill’s side obliterated the competition in a season that also saw City test Premier League outfit, West Ham, in the FA Cup. After such an impressive campaign, expectations of City are high. However, in League One, Bristol City went largely unchallenged last season and any losses were rarely meaningful. Though City’s winning mentality may benefit them this season, it remains to be seen what a defeat will do for the Robins’ confidence. Technically, the teams are far more advanced in the Championship and whilst Bristol City are a settled side, it will be a far more trying campaign than the last.
The loss of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas will equally worry fans. At only 24 years of age and a prominent goal threat, Emmanuel-Thomas’ departure on a freebie to Championship rivals, QPR, is a strange one. Often criticised for his apparent lazy approach to the game, Emmanuel-Thomas did have an eye for goal and became something of a fan-favourite before his departure. Bristol City will have to hope Aaron Wilbraham, Kieran Agard and new £2m signing, Jonathan Kodija, score enough goals to silence any murmurs regarding Emmanuel-Thomas’ exit.
The singing of Kodija displays City’s attacking intent, as they strengthen an attacking force that already scored 96 league goals last term. The Frenchman’s movement and speed will complement the experience of Wilbraham up top, as City seek to replicate the goal-scoring form that propelled them into the Championship.
At the back, the Robins were also very sound, only conceding 40 league goals. Cotterill’s preference to play five at the back ensured City were efficient defensively, as well as offensively. The system that allowed the wing-backs to join in attacks meant City were fluid on the break, but incredibly compact when under intense pressure. While the Championship presents a whole different challenge of opponent, City’s fast and mobile system should adapt, cope, and then flourish. The signing of Tottenham wing-back, Ryan Fredericks, will add more quality in the wing-back positions as City continue to embrace their youthful recruitment programme.
Though Bristol City haven’t strengthened massively, their ability to keep hold of certain key players and their manager will encourage supporters. Luke Freeman, who topped League One’s assist charts, was a revelation behind the strikers, and, at 23 years of age, Freeman is certainly a player that’ll be key to the Robins’ challenge. Centre-half, Aden Flint, also impressed last season. The 26-year-old who stands at six feet and five inches tall, will be essential in once again organising a back five. As well as being an important figure defensively, Flint rather incredibly scored 15 league goals last season, including a hat-trick on the final day of the season. Although Flint’s aerial prowess is almost unrivalled, his ability with the ball at his feet is dubious and it will be interesting to see how he copes with the step up to Championship football.
The retention of manager Steve Cotterill has also been met with enthusiasm around Ashton Gate. After the departure of Nigel Pearson, Cotterill was heavily linked with the Leicester job. In a period of five years, Bristol City have seen six managers assume control of first team affairs, and Cotterill is an essential figure in maintaining the stability of the club. The appointment of Claudio Ranieri at Leicester has since cooled exit rumours concerning Cotterill, as City look to challenge for successive promotions.
Off the pitch, Bristol City are also making huge strides to secure their future. Work to re-develop Ashton Gate started earlier this year, as the club increase the ground’s capacity to 27,000. Bristol City will hope a modern stadium with an increased capacity for the large fan base in the South West will be a springboard for further successes.
Seven years after Dean Windass sent Hull City to the Premier League at the expense of Bristol City, the Robins are back. Although their campaign didn’t get off to the ideal start at Sheffield Wednesday this weekend, Bristol City are certainly a club on the up. Bristol City will be looking to push on in the Championship and everyone associated with the club believe promotion to the big-time, isn’t out of the question.
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