Buzzin Championship Football

The heartache from losing a play-off final is always difficult to cope with -especially when it’s a Championship play-off final. To be that close to the Premier League and miss out is extremely disappointing and is something Gary Johnson and his Bristol City team experienced at the end of last season. They lost 1-0 to Hull City in last years final.

However, this time round they are aiming higher in what Gary Johnson is calling the ‘Premier League Two’. In more recognised terminology, they are aiming to win automatic promotion to the Premier League this season.

The Bristol City boss believes that Wembley couldn’t be further from the player’s minds as they reported back for pre-season training. I always find this hard to believe – surely they must still be hurting from such an experience? They will be training while thinking ‘we could be preparing for the Premier League now’. Fair enough, Gary Johnson has to say they aren’t thinking about it – but I’m not so sure.

So, how realistic is Gary Johnson’s aim of finishing in the top two of the Championship next season? Well, because of their success last year they are bound to be one of the promotion favourites, but it is going to be very difficult for them. Just look at Colchester. They came up from League one, just missed out on the play-offs and then finished bottom the following season. It will be Bristol City’s ‘difficult second season’ and they will have to perform fantastically well to win promotion.

They will hope that new signing will increase their chances of success, but they have only brought in Gavin Williams from Ipswich so far and will need to strengthen further if they are to compete in the top end of the Championship table.

Because as Gary Johnson admits, with the likes of Reading, Derby, Birmingham, Swansea and Nottingham Forest entering the Championship – it is going to be tougher than ever to finish in the top two.