Johnson Keeping Positive Mindset

The 1-0 loss at home to Brentford on Tuesday night was City’s fourth defeat in five league games, but the head coach remains upbeat – with his team sitting seven points from both the play-offs and the relegation zone in the Sky Bet Championship.

Johnson told Bristol City Player HD: “The modern player needs to hear the positives.

“We created 24 really good opportunities against Brentford. We’ll show each and every one of them to the players.

“Against Huddersfield I thought we lost a little bit of our identity, or maybe they outplayed us with their identity.

“On Tuesday the positives that I took from the game is that we actually played some really good football at times. Of course the result is disappointing and hurts bad.

“If we can take the performance that created 24 chances against Brentford into the Preston game then hopefully we’ll score two or three goals.”

Johnson acknowledges Tuesday’s game was “too open and expansive”, compared to his side’s recent “rigid defensive” display in the 2-0 win over Ipswich Town.

 Of tomorrow’s clash with Preston, the City boss said: “I can see it being a tighter game again, given the way they shape up.

“I watched Preston at Nottingham Forest on Wednesday and it’s good to take the game in live as you always learn something more in the flesh.

“Simon Grayson has done a great job there, a very steady one. Every team he puts out is very organised and disciplined.”

A crowd in excess of 18,000 is guaranteed for the festive encounter. Tickets remain on general sale online, or by calling 0117 963 0600.