Meet the opposition | Bristol City

28th October
First team
Bristol City home Matt Grimes

As Swansea City prepare to visit Ashton Gate to take on Bristol City on Saturday (12pm), we look at the history, form and the key figures for the Robins. 

What's their story? 

Established in 1894, Bristol City, affectionately known as the Robins, initially started out playing within the Southern and Western League, before being admitted to the Football League in 1901. 

The Robins have tasted silverware on three occasions in their history, winning the Football League Trophy in 1986, 2003, and most recently in 2015. 

Their early Football League years coincided with the club's best-ever league finish as they ended the 1906-07 season in second place in the top-flight, behind only Newcastle United.

That came on the back of promotion to the First Division the previous season, while they were beaten FA Cup finalists in 1909 as they suffered defeat to Manchester United at Crystal Palace.

Having gone so close to Premier League promotion in 2008 - losing the play-off final to Hull - they are now in their eighth-consecutive season at Championship level having secured promotion from League One in 2015.

How's their form? 

Nahki Wells

A mixed bag. Two wins and three defeats in the last five games have summed up City’s season of inconsistency to this point.

The unpredictability and closeness of the Championship means the Robins are only five points off the play-off places, and the same number of points off the relegation zone. 

Their most recent fixture saw them lose 2-0 to Reading at the Madejski Stadium.

Who’s the Gaffer? 

Nigel Pearson

Nigel Pearson. Pearson began coaching just a few months removed from his playing career in 1998, taking over at Carlisle United.

After taking assistant roles at clubs like Stoke City, West Brom and Newcastle United, Pearson became head coach at Southampton in 2008.

After a brief stint with the Saints, he went on to land roles at Leicester City - who he led to promotion and Premier League survival prior to their title success under Claudio Ranieri -  Hull City, Derby County, OH Leuven and Watford before replacing Dean Holden as Bristol City manager in February of 2021.

As a player, the centre-back suited up for Shrewsbury Town, Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough, making 448 league appearances over 17 years.

Who's the captain? 

Daniel Bentley

Basildon- born goalkeeper Dan Bentley is the Robins captain. The former Southend United trainee has been at Ashton Gate since signing from Brentford in 2019, amassing 124 appearances for Pearson’s side.

A solid presence in between the sticks, Bentley previously spent seven seasons with Southend, helping the Shrimpers earn promotion to League One in 2015. A series of outstanding performances earning him the player of the year, players’ player of the year and community player of the year awards for the Essex club.. 

A £1.1 million move to Championship Brentford followed and he spent a successful three seasons at Griffin Park with the Bees, before joining Bristol City for an undisclosed fee.

Who are the key men? 

Last season’s top scorer and player of the season, Austrian international forward Andi Weimann is a key figure in the Robins attack with his devastating pace on the counter-attack.

The former Aston Villa speedster is also equally equipped at supporting attacks, demonstrated by his contributions of four assists in the Championship this season to go with his four goals on the scoresheet. 

Bermudan international Nahki Wells also carries a significant goal threat, netting on seven occasions already this season. The former Huddersfield Town, Bradford and Queens Park Rangers forward is amongst the league’s leading scorers and, like Weimann, also has four assists to his name this campaign. 

In the midfield engine room is Matty James, a player familiar to manager Pearson for his role in Leicester City’s promotion to the Premier League.

Manchester United trainee James has been at Ashton Gate since the summer of 2021, when Pearson moved to snap the experienced midfielder up on a free transfer following the end of a nine-year stay at the King Power Stadium.

Since joining the Robins, James has been a regular making 32 appearances and scoring one goal.