Why playing behind closed doors could be a major boost for Bristol City Home comforts have not always translated into points for Bristol City, but the resumption in Germany indicates home advantage has gone out of the window They say there’s no place like home, although that hasn’t always been the case for Bristol City this season. Lee Johnson’s side have enjoyed greater success away from Ashton Gate, winning more games on the road (eight) in the English Championship than in front of their own supporters (seven). Bristol City’s home form this season ranks them only 17th in the Championship table while their away form has been the fourth best in the division. Johnston’s team have collected an average of just 1.4 points at home, but 1.5 away from home, with fans in BS3 subjected to some poor performances at the Gate which have seen City fail to fully capitalise on their away returns as they sit one point outside the play-off places. But this could put the Robins in an unusually strong position ahead of the planned resumption of the Championship season amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Bundesliga has demonstrated how playing games behind closed doors can impact the usual dynamic that comes with a home fixture. Of the 27 fixtures played since the resumption in Germany, only five have been won by the home side, with 12 victories for away teams. Two of those home wins were for powerhouses Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. It’s long been debated just how much of an advantage the home team holds in football and the new normal of playing games with no supporters in the stands seems to have crystallised that debate, with away teams benefiting as a result. How much do fans matter? Quite a lot, it would appear. Bristol City's remaining fixtures Home Sheffield Wednesday Cardiff City Hull City Stoke City Preston North End Away Blackburn Rovers Nottingham Forest Middlesbrough Swansea City “It'll be very different,” Johnson responded when asked whether he felt a lack of fans in the stands would have an influence on performances produced on the pitch. “I think I've heard a few ex-professionals and coaches talk about how you do get training players and then you get game players. I think often in front of a crowd it can bring an anxiety or it can indeed whet the appetite for a performer to perform even better. “It will be interesting actually on the individual depending on whether they're an introvert or an extrovert in their performance whether or not the crowd will make a huge difference. “Not probably physically, I wouldn't have thought there would be too much of a difference physically, but definitely in terms of the confidence and that ability to bounce back from an error.” Bristol City have five home games and four away games left to play in the 2019/20 season. Perhaps the most important fixture Johnson’s side will play will come against Nottingham Forest. A win over Forest would be crucial in dragging the Robins up into the play-off places at the top of the Championship table, with just five points between the two teams. That match is due to be played at the City Ground and so while that might have favoured Nottingham Forest when the schedule was initially released at the start of the season the advantage may now have swung towards Bristol City such is the edge away teams could hold when the doors to the venue are closed. The Robins’ form before the coronavirus shutdown left much to be desired, going five games in succession without a win. Johnson must hope that the break has re-energised his team in preparation for a playoff push when the season gets up and running again. The odds might now be weighted in Bristol City’s favour given the precedent that has been set in the Bundesliga. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bristol-city-behind-closed-doors-4177752
After our pre virus form we could turn things into our favour, all of our players back and not a bad run in, LJ has got a lot in his favour, I hope it goes well.
No doubt City were in one of those 'runs', 2pts from 15pts, when lock down happened. With Afobe back firing alongside Wells and Fammy, City look a decent bet for the play offs.
Its going to be different that's for sure - we looked to be drifting out of the picture before the COVID break - now I think there are going to be some strange results when we resume (a bit like pre-season games)
It will be interesting if we turn on some decent form at home with an empty stadium. That would indicate that either the form is mostly random, or our poor home form is something to do with the crowds - possibly where the away fans are sat?
If we do better at home without fans the club may decide to do away with us altogether. It may also explain how the gas managed to avoid relegation last year .
Psychologically our first game could be key ....we lose it, then our season IMO will fizzle out...the draw, or better still the win will be a confidence booster that will be much needed for playoffs....
we have got to expecting a draw a win is a bonus and defeat would need reciprocal results from PNE & MILLWALL ..! I think we need 17 points a point against Cardiff Blackburn Swansea and PNE WOULD MEAN a result against the 5 lower placed [ bottom 12 ] to get a further 13 points .. LEEDS HAVE 6 OF THE TOP 12 TO PLAY INC Cardiff BBurn Swansea Millwall draws there would help our cause!
The pandemic as terrible as it is came at an opportune time for City. 2pts from 15 prior to lock down is now history and the extra time for Afobe to be fit could get City up. I think City are in with a great chance of the play offs, at least. But now you mention it I'll have a quick look in the garage, just in case.
This break has been a massive boost for us. Benik will make a monster difference,just a shame we will only watch on the net or tv
