The Scout Report: Bristol City

Posted on August 20, 2016 by Joe Donnohue in Fixtures, Match Preview // 0 Comments

Newcastle United face off against Bristol City in their fourth Championship game of the season, having finally secured their first three points of the season at the third time of asking against Reading in midweek.

Bristol City – A Factfile

Founded: 1897

Nickname: The Robins
Stadium: Ashton Gate (27,000 capacity)
Head Coach: Lee Johnson
2015-16: Championship, 18^th
Major Honours: First Division (1906-07)2016-17 Scout Report

Notable Signings

– Lee Tomlin – CF – Signed permanently from Bournemouth after a prolific loan spell last season, Tomlin is an experienced attacking player with an impressive goals haul. A typical poacher and 18-yard box player, the former Middlesbrough man is renowned for his stocky build and a keen eye for goal at Championship level.

– Gary O’Neil – CM – Veteran centre-midfielder, O’Neil has promotion successes with Portsmouth, West Ham, QPR and Norwich to his name. The Robins have a young manager and a young squad, therefore O’Neil’s vital experience in the Championship will be important to the team.

– Hordur Bjorgvin Magnusson – LB – A product of European giants Juventus’ youth system after debuting as a 16-year old in his native Iceland for Fram. Magnusson is a full Iceland international and was selected in the country’s squad for the European Championships but did not feature at any point.Notable Departures

– Nathan Baker – CB – Currently back at parent club Aston Villa, Baker was an integral part of the 2015-16 side that retained their Championship status last season. Replacing his guile and tact in the heart of defence will be a tough task for Lee Johnson.

– Luke Ayling – RB – Part of the side that secured Bristol City’s promotion back to the Championship in 2015, Ayling racked up almost 100 first team appearances in a City shirt and has been a mainstay in the team over the past two seasons. Losing him to fellow Championship strugglers Leeds United will take some justification if he is not amply replaced.

Key Players

– Aden Flint – CB – A 6ft 6in enforcer in defence, Flint is a goalscoring defender not afraid to speak his mind. An abrasive character suited to the Championship, Flint plays with a no-nonsense approach and will be a force at centre-back, instilling a firm mentality in his back four.

– Jonathan Kodjia – ST – 20 goals in all competitions last season, Kodjia had an impressive debut campaign in English football. Given a platform and an effective strike partner he could build on his first season with an equally healthy goal return.

– Tammy Abraham – ST – Signed on loan from Chelsea before scoring on his debut for Bristol City to secure three points on the opening day of the season, Abraham is a fine talent. Even at only 18 years old, Abraham is an imposing figure spearheading attacks in recent matches and will certainly be one for Newcastle’s defenders to keep an eye on.

2016-17 Results (to date)
Bristol City 2-1 Wigan Athletic – Championship
Wycombe Wanderers 0-1 Bristol City – EFL Cup
Burton Albion 1-2 Bristol City – Championship
Norwich City 1-0 Bristol City – Championship

Manager – Lee Johnson

Young and untested at Championship level, Lee Johnson’s management experience has solely been in the third tier before the second half of last season. Previously at Barnsley with a so-so record and a 39% win percentage, Johnson was headhunted by Bristol City in February of this year.

Steering Bristol City away from relegation last season was quite a feat and he has continued with good form in this season but the worry is that with his managerial naivety, his methods may soon be figured out by opposition managers.

Did You Know?

The Robins have a connection with the Johnson family as not only is Lee Johnson the current manager, but he also made 197 appearances for the club, after his father Gary Johnson signed him in 2006 during his five year stint at the helm of Bristol City.