Bristol City 2015/16 Season
League Position: 18th (2014/15: 1st League One)
Average league attendance: 15,291 (2014/15: 12,056)
Top league goalscorer: Jonathan Kodija (19)
After promotion as Sky Bet League One Champions in 2015 Bristol City achieved their primary aim of survival in their first season back in the second tier following a two-year absence.
Steve Cotterill stuck with the bulk of the squad which had earned promotion, adding only Jonathan Kodija [Angers], Levi Ives [Torquay United], and Ryan Fredericks [Tottenham Hotspur] in the summer transfer window. Fredericks' stay in the West Country lasted less than a month before he returned to London with Fulham, Nathan Baker [Aston Villa] coming in to replace him.
The Robins endured a tough start to the season, including a 4-2 home defeat against Brentford in August, the only bright point being a surprise 1-0 win away at Middlesbrough. The West Country outfit picked up just four league wins in 2015 and that form saw Cotterill depart in early January with The Robins sitting in 22nd place. The turnaround was immediate as Lee Johnson was appointed manager in early February following the 1-0 win over Middlesbrough, which ended Boro's club record run of clean sheets. Johnson's arrival sparked a run of 22 points from 12 games which elevated them towards safety. Integral in that run were a number of experienced players brought into Ashton Gate during the January Transfer Window. Scott Golbourne [Wolverhampton Wanderers], Richard O'Donnell [Wigan Athletic], Alex Pearce [Derby County], Lee Tomlin [Bournemouth], and Peter Odemwingie [Stoke City] all arrived in January to bolster Johnson's squad. Important victories over fellow strugglers Bolton Wanderers, Fulham, and MK Dons ensured survival was all-but guaranteed with a month of the season to play. The Robins lost just two of their last seven matches to finish the season 12 points above the drop zone despite shipping 71 goals in 46 games, the fourth worst record in the division.
The Ground
Ashton Gate Stadium Bristol BS3 2EJ Click here for directions to Ashton Gate
The Manager
Son of Cheltenham Town boss Gary, Lee Johnson played for his father at Yeovil Town and Bristol City. In his 13-year playing career, he also appeared for Heart of Midlothian, Derby County, Chesterfield and Kilmarnock. He won promotion twice under Gary at Yeovil Town and was part of the Bristol City side that made the Championship Play-Off final in 2008, losing 1-0 to Hull City. Lee also picked up a Scottish League Cup title while with Kilmarnock.
Lee became the youngest manager in the Football League in March 2013 when he took over at League One side Oldham Athletic. He led them to safety in his first season and their highest finishing position in five years in his second season before departing for Barnsley in February 2015 with The Latics ninth in League One. After initially struggling with The Tykes, he won seven of his last eight league matches, setting Barnsley on their way towards the Play-Off places, before replacing Cotterill in February.
The First Meeting
13 January 1906, FA Cup First Round - Brentford 2 Bristol City 1 Brentford: Not Known Bees progress past First Round for first time in history with win over Robins
The Last Meeting
16 April 2016, Sky Bet Championship - Brentford 1 Bristol City 1 Brentford: Button, Colin, Dean, Barbet, Bidwell, Yennaris, Woods, McCormack, Saunders, Canos, Vibe Scott Hogan's first Bees goal rescues a points at Griffin Park
Head to Head
Brentford wins: 29 Draws: 17 Bristol City wins: 27