Can Bristol City reach the Premier League? By Ron Walker After a number of false dawns, are Bristol City finally ready to give Bristol their first Premier League team? The South West has a notable lack of footballing history. The whole region has enjoyed only four years in the top flight since the Second World War, and all of those belonged to the Robins. But after 40 years out of the spotlight, City are finally closing the gap on a return long-awaited in the West Country, and the early signs are that this could be the year. A little over 11 years ago they were 90 minutes away from the promised land, but things have never quite reached the heights since that play-off final defeat to Hull City. please log in to view this image Bristol City were beaten by Hull in the 2008 play-off final at Wembley Quiet, solid investment has been the order of the day under owner Steve Lansdown, rejuvenated since City's promotion back to the Championship in 2015, and with the eighth longest-serving manager in the top-four divisions at the helm, long-term planning has been at the core of their development. In both the last two seasons they have found themselves in the top six by March, but have tailed off at the worst possible time to miss out on the play-offs on each occasion. But the consolation of finishing 18th, 17th, 11th and eighth since returning to the second tier has built a solid base. Some careful additions over the summer looked to have got the club on the right track to go one better this year, too - until the £20m sale of Adam Webster to Brighton in the final days of the window, and first-choice striker Benik Afobe's anterior cruciate ligament injury several weeks after arriving on a season-long loan. please log in to view this image Adam Webster joined Brighton in the summer In spite of that, Bristol City have continued their upward trend and a 3-0 reverse at Luton aside, have kept up with the chasing pack. But can they do it across 46 games? That is another question. Afobe's injury leaves the divisive figure of Famara Diedhiou as City's main attacking threat, although Spanish striker Rodri also joined to boost their attacking numbers on a free transfer last month. Diedhiou has reached doubled figures in both of his seasons at Ashton Gate so far, with an impressive workrate winning him many fans since his arrival two years ago. But his shot-to-goal ratio of barely 10 per cent and a 'big chance' conversion last season of just seven out of 27 opportunities has others less convinced. The arrival of Afobe looked promising with three goals in his opening five games, and questions linger about City's ability to outscore their opposition; the early signs, though, are promising, with City the third-highest scorers in the top six. After several years with little investment City's midfield finally looks like it has the bite to compete with the surprise addition of Han-Noah Massengo from Monaco in August, but it's in defence where perhaps the biggest questions should be asked. City have put their injury problems in attack to one side, scoring nine goals in their last six games, but they have kept only three clean sheets from 14 games and conceded 19 goals - only QPR have shipped more in the top half. A Webster-shaped hole in the City backline is not helping, as taking out one of the league's best defenders would to any Championship side, but more dreaded long-term injuries to Tomas Kalas and Jay Dasilva have only exasperated matters. Both are said to be close to a return, and perhaps then we will see whether this Bristol City side does have the mettle to mix it over a full season - and a win at Oakwell is a must if they are to prove they have got what it takes. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11689/11848590/can-bristol-city-reach-the-premier-league
A fair assessment other than I disagree that tonight is a must win game. More than happy with a point away from home.
We are a prolific goalscorer away from reaching the top flight. We had him until the injury in Afobe Monster loss to us. We need to get one in January if we want promotion.
I don't think we are ready yet. there was a plan [ sticking it to it sort of ] a couple of seasons ago that would get us financially sound [ almost there ] build a squad that would be together for a couple of seasons that could make the step up and last a season or 2 in the prem whilst the " basis of a sound squad " was improved as income improved.... Bournemouth is a good model! at the moment we are not anything like where we should be. Selling a players like AW was a stroke of well taken opportunism, he could have stayed with us a couple more seasons and when it came to the big push be past his prime? no one doubts the need for a striker … Fammy has his moments and is a squad player .. SEMENYO LEARNING HIS TRADE and another goal poacher needed to compliment Weimann. however OUR position as one of the top scoring teams shows goals are all over the team and whilst it must be nice for opposition teams generally to "line up a team to combat the opposing CF" it must be a shock when playing us to find they lost by a couple of goals and the CF et al didn't tickle the net! we do have a key player out KALAS, and of course Korey but we have played so long without him he will be like a new signing if he carries on as he left off pre injuries! I would reckon 2021/22 might be our season …………… !!!!
Over the last few years we have heard the usual comments about us being promotion potentials and yet we never seem to produce the goods needed to get us there. I will say that a lot of our issues are down to rotten luck, and this season has proven to be much of the same, but other clubs appear to be more prepared than us when it comes down to the business getting the job done. In these days of over-hyped players getting paid way beyond their worth City tend to stay in the shadows when it comes down to splashing the cash and although I often wonder what might have happened if we did go barmy in the new player routine? I'm sure that most of us want to see City play at the highest level of football, including myself, but would the price be too high to warrant setting our sights on that sole target and risk our future? The riches of the Premier League are evident and relatively long lasting, even when you fail, due to the parachute payment schedule if you drop back to the land from whence you came. In these difficult days where so many teams are fighting for survival and to remain competitive and financially stable, it will become even more difficult to stay afloat. Our biggest downfall is that we have too many inconsistencies to consider ourselves to be perennial contenders and I have a feeling that 2019/20 won't change much of anything.
I think if we are going to challenger for the top 6, then away games against the bottom sides, are must win games
Tonight was again poor.Bentley kept us in the game,2-0 up and we messed it up. Powder puff. Not expecting anything in Cardiff.
as posted earlier not of the quality to be real contenders in what is looking a really poor championship quality wise … or could it be???? a very high quality championship with almost 24 teams in contention!
As JGF2 has eluded to, virtually anyone can beat anyone in this division, as has been proved by many results so far this season. At present we don't appear to be clever enough to close down games where we're leading and where we should be in total control, and we also draw a lot of (probably too many) games. So my conclusion is that at present we aren't ready, or anywhere near consistent enough to be top 2 without further investment in quality. With the likes of Forest and Sheffield Wednesday building up a head of steam, we may not make the top 6 come the end of the season. Can't see far past WBA and Leeds also being top 6. Will the likes of PNE last the pace ? Will the likes of Brentford come to the party ? One thing that it's probably safe to say is that the likes of Luton, Barnsley, Wigan or Reading won't be troubling the top 6.
Looking at the Championship so far this season I personally don't think its as strong as other seasons, I can see West Brom and Leeds going up after that it's anyone's guess, unless when our injured players come back we hit some form I personally think we are two players away from any chance, top striker and quality playmaker need both in January otherwise another season in the Championship.
I'd agree with that. It's more even but there are more unexpected lapses and poor results from the teams you'd expect to be piling up the points even at this early stage of the season like Leeds for instance. There are also no runaway leaders/pace setters like we've seen in previous seasons such as Wolves, Newcastle, Norwich.
sheff utd … piled up early points ….. we are currently looking at 15 teams within a few games could sink or swim ..WBA /LEEDS will likely tread water and be there at the end. hard to pick 4 more! the bottom 6 are now 2 games/wins behind 15th at this stage they are getting close to that's it for the season relegation fight teams 16/17 and possibly 18th are in touch with a mid field finish .cant see any bothering top 6 before Christmas
