Vital QPR assesses Tuesday’s opponents – Bristol City.
It’s been a road to recovery for Bristol City, who only a few short years ago were on the cusp of the Premier League. When they lost out to Dean Windass and Hull City it triggered a chain reaction of disaster for the Robins as they eventually slumped back into League One – a division they’d worked hard to see the back of.
A succession of managers followed Gary Johnson out the door – including Steve Coppell – of his own volition – Derek McInnes and Sean O’Driscoll – but it was when the club appointed Cheltenham-born Steve Cotterill that their fortunes started to upturn and their future started looking a heck of a lot rosier.
A League One/JPT Trophy double saw City’s stock rise dramatically as they rounded off the campaign in style with an 8-2 win over Walsall. The stadium was receiving a much-needed facelift as well, just as it continues to do so in the present day, but such is the ruthless nature of football – Cotterill was dismissed after only four wins in 22 games.
Step forward Barnsley man Lee Johnson – son of former manager Gary Johnson, the man who came close to guiding the Robins to the top flight. Having made nearly 200 appearances the new manager, he was able to steer City to safety – inspiring form in record signing Jonathan Kodjia.
Kodjia had barely a year in a Robins shirt before Aston Villa chucked a king’s ransom in their direction – nearly five times the amount they dished out for their record capture. It does mean that City had a gaping chasm in their front-line, and Tammy Abraham – a young Chelsea loanee – has filled that void with aplomb.
As a result of his form and Johnson’s savvy management, the Robins now occupy a playoff berth in the Championship – their recent rise could be perfect timing as the club continues to flourish behind the scenes, and now on the pitch also.
Founded: 1897
Nickname: Robins
Ground: Ashton Gate – 27000
Manager: Lee Johnson
HONOURS
First Tier
First Division – Runners-up: 1906-07
Second Tier
Second Division – Winners: 1905-06
Second Division – Runners-up: 1975-76
Third Tier
Third Division South – Winners: 1922-23, 1926-27, 1954-55
Third Division – Champions: 2014-15,
Third Division – Runners-up: 1964-65, 1989-90
Division Two – Runners-up: 1997-98
League One – Runners-up: 2006-07
Cup
FA Cup – Runners-up: 1909
RECORDS
Record Attendance: 43335 v Preston North End (February 1935)
Record league victory: 9-0 v Aldershot (December 1946)
Record league defeat 0-9 v Coventry City (April 1934)
Record Buy: £3,250,000 – Jonathan Kodjia from Angers SCO (July 2015)
Record Sale: £15,000,000 – Jonathan Kodjia to Aston Villa (August 2016)
Record Appearances: Louis Carey – 646 (1995-2004 & 2005-2014)
Record Goals: John Atyeo – 351 (1951-1966)
GOALS: Tammy Abraham 12; Bobby Reid 4; Aaron Wilbraham 2; Lee Tomlin 2.
CARDS: Lee Tomlin 5Y; Mark Little 3Y; Gary O’Neil 2Y 1R; Marlon Pack 2Y.
1 – Frank Fielding
2 – Mark Little
3 – Joe Bryan
4 – Aden Flint
5 – Joel Ekstrand
6 – Gary O’Neil
7 – Korey Smith
8 – Josh Brownhill
9 – Tammy Abraham (on loan from Chelsea)
10 – Lee Tomlin
11 – Callum O’Dowda
12 – Richard O’Donnell
13 – Scott Golbourne
14 – Bobby Reid
15 – Luke Freeman
16 – Gustav Engvall
17 – Taylor Moore
18 – Aaron Wilbraham
20 – Jamie Paterson
21 – Marlon Pack
23 – Hörður Björgvin Magnússon
25 – Lloyd Kelly
27 – Adam Matthews (on loan from Sunderland)
29 – Ivan Lučić
30 – Diego De Girolamo
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