Bristol City will return to the Championship for the first time in two years this season, courtesy of a memorable campaign in League One last term.
The Robins were the outstanding side in the division and won promotion in style, thumping Bradford City 6-0 to secure their elevation to the second tier with three games remaining before wrapping up the title shortly after. Having also lifted the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, it was a fine campaign all round.
Here, Sports Mole takes a look at whether it will be a season of consolidation for Bristol, or a battle to avoid an immediate relegation.
In
Jonathan Kodjia (Angers), Ryan Fredericks (Tottenham Hotspur)
Out
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas (Queens Park Rangers), Greg Cunningham (Preston North End), Karleigh Osborne (AFC Wimbledon, season-long loan), Dave Richards (Crewe Alexandra), Wade Elliott (retired)
Last season - 1st in League One
Manager - Steve Cotterill
Former Portsmouth and Nottingham Forest boss Cotterill took charge of Bristol in December 2013, with the club struggling near the foot of League One. He steered them away from danger and to the safety of a 12th-place finish, before mounting a successful promotion challenge last season, with the team sweeping aside all before them on their way to the title.
Cotterill has plenty of Championship experience, having managed at this level with Pompey, Forest, Burnley and Stoke City, and this will be of benefit to Bristol as they look to remain a second-tier side. They have been tipped by some to be outsiders for promotion, although it's worth noting that Cotterill has not finished any higher than 13th in the division before. If he can improve on that this season, though, it will be another great achievement to add to his CV at Ashton Gate.
Key Player - Jonathan Kodjia
Bristol moved quickly to replace the influential Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, who left on a free transfer following promotion, by bringing in Kodjia from French side Angers. The 25-year-old striker, who cost the West Country outfit £2m, scored 15 goals in 29 Ligue 2 games last term to help Le SCO win promotion to the top flight.
His pace and eye for goal will make him a dangerous customer in the Championship and supporters will be hoping that he adapts to the English game quickly.
© Getty Images
Possible starting lineup
Fielding; Ayling, Flint, Williams; Little, Smith, Pack, Freeman, Bryan; Kodjia, Wilbraham
First game: Sheffield Wednesday (A), Full fixture list
Sports Mole says
Newly-promoted sides have tended to do well in the Championship in recent seasons, with Bournemouth, Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers all proving that a top-10 finish or even a playoff place is attainable. Bristol will be looking to use the momentum gained from their success in League One last season to push on, although a tricky August awaits them. An opening day fixture with Sheffield Wednesday is followed by matches against promotion hopefuls Brentford, Middlesbrough and Burnley before the month is out.
Kodjia and Fredericks are the only signings that Bristol have made so far, with Cotterill looking to keep faith with the players that won promotion. There is a settled squad in place as a result, but the Robins' fate will rest on how the team makes the step up to the higher level. If they can continue the excellent form that they showed through last season, a top-half spot is well within reach.
