Bristol City may need an unexpected win to make top six - and West Brom could be it Michelle Owen has her say on the race for the play-offs. The race for a place in the top six of the Championship continues to excite. The Leeds defeat last weekend was undoubtedly disappointing given Bristol City could have gone level on points with them and Fulham had that shock defeat to bottom of the league Barnsley. The latter proving the Championship once again is just so unpredictable. One might look at Saturday’s game against top of the league West Brom as probable away win. However as Gregor and I said on Robins On The Wire this week, City need a big win in this hunt for a play-off place and what better timing than to deliver it this weekend. Undoubtedly the Baggies have been mightily impressive this campaign, they carry so many threats across the pitch and are guided by Slaven Bilic who is doing a great job, but at times this season they have faltered. They struggled through January as other teams closed in on the top two. Lee Johnson said the Robins need to do more with their identity against top sides this week and it sounds like he wants City to be more on the front foot, many fans will want to see this with the game being at home. I am intrigued to see the identity Johnson mentioned and how he was bugged City did not show more identity against Leeds. Andreas Weimann barely touched the ball, although he was feeling unwell and subsequently had to come off. Across the pitch there are players who are so good with the ball at their feet yet instead of using this ability against Leeds often the defence hurried to clear their lines rather than pick a pass. This is not a time to hide, these experienced players need to be brave and play their game. That is not to say they should take risks, yet if they want to make an impression and get results against the better teams in the league bravery will be needed in big games. It was worrying to hear earlier this week the squad only trained with 12 players, although most are expected to be back in training by the end of the week, it is hardly ideal preparation for facing top of the league West Brom. I do feel some luck is needed to clinch a play-off spot, and the illness at the weekend was a hindrance with the line-up changing due to this. Johnson acknowledged it was a poor performance last Saturday, he should be able to call upon his favoured starting 11 at the weekend. Of course the Robins will also be looking behind them as Blackburn and Cardiff are putting together decent results. It is a tough run of fixtures for Bristol City right now and vital they get some points not just so they do not lose ground on the top six but to stave off the assault coming up the table. Huddersfield away on Tuesday night will be difficult and Gary Rowett has revitalised Millwall with The Den a hard place to go at the best of times, followed by Fulham and a potentially huge game against Blackburn, the relentlessness of the Championship continues. Johnson acknowledged that Bristol City will actually be underdogs on Saturday and it could suit them. Although home form has been less than ideal for the past couple of seasons what a huge win it could be on Saturday to propel them forward. When you think back to key underdog moments in recent seasons they have delivered some iconic moments, the most notable being the win against Manchester United in the League Cup. Now this is not on the same scale, but it could have a bigger effect on the season if City can get three points. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bristol-city-need-unexpected-win-3869410
I'm going for a 1-1 draw tomorrow and would be happy, a win would more than make up for last week shambolics but a loss is not worth thinking about.
