Meet the opposition | Bristol City

18th September
First team
Bristol City

As Swansea City prepare for the trip to face Bristol City on Saturday, we take a closer look at the men from Ashton Gate.

What's their story?

Benik Afobe

The Robins are in their fifth season back in the second tier having won the League One title in 2015.

They were in the play-off hunt last term before ending up in eighth place, their highest league finish since completing the 2009-10 campaign in 10th spot in the Championship.

They came close to sealing promotion to the Premier League in 2008, with Lee Trundle among their ranks.

'Magic Daps' scored a fine goal to help them beat Crystal Palace in the play-off semi-finals, but they ended up losing 1-0 to Hull at Wembley in the final.

How’s their form?

Tomas Kalas

Excellent, the Robins have been among the early pacesetters in the Championship.

After defeat to Leeds on the opening weekend they have been unbeaten, taking 13 points from the last 15 available and recording wins at Hull and Derby along the way.

However, their home form has not been what they might have hoped. They have taken four points from nine at Ashton Gate.

Who’s the boss?

Lee Johnson

Lee Johnson, son of ex-City boss Gary.

The former midfielder - who spent most of his playing career with the Robins and Yeovil - made the move into management at the age of just 31 when he took charge of Oldham.

After two years with the Latics he moved to Barnsley, and then made the return to Bristol City in February of 2016.

He helped them avoid relegation that season and in the following campaign, before having them in play-off contention during the 2017-18 season.

They were right in the mix last term too and have made a strong start to the new campaign.

Who are the key men?

Kasey Palmer

The Robins are not short of forward options with Andreas Weimann, Benik Afobe and Famara Diedhiou all getting on the scoresheet so far this season.

The permanent signing of Kasey Palmer from Chelsea was arguably their biggest coup of the summer and the England Under-21 cap has settled in well, while Niclas Eliasson is a classy operator on the flank and Tommy Rowe has made an impression since joining from Doncaster.

Palmer’s fellow former Blue Tomas Kalas had an outstanding season on loan at Ashton Gate last term but has been hit by injury early in the new campaign.

Nathan Baker has performed strongly at the back while the Robins also recently signed former Swansea skipper Ashley Williams, who made his debut in their win over Stoke last weekend.

Han-Noah Massengo, a summer arrival from Monaco has also started the season brightly and swiftly become a fans’ favourite.