MX23RW : Saturday, November 23 18:51:11| >> :600:129627:129627:

Mid-season report: Bristol City

Mid-season report: Bristol City
© PA Photos
Bristol City face a tough second half of the season after a number of unsettled months at Ashton Gate.

Bristol City, who have finished in the middle of the Championship table in recent seasons, were rocked by the sudden departure of manager Steve Coppell after just one game in charge at the start of last year's campaign.

With former assistant manager Keith Millen at the helm for his first full season in charge at Ashton Gate this summer, the Robins supporters were hopeful that they could improve on their 15th-place finish, as well as hold on to their forward Nicky Maynard.

This season has served up a few bumps in the road for the Championship side, so Sports Mole takes a look back at their campaign so far.

August

The Robins kicked off the season on the back foot following a disappointing 3-0 defeat at the hands of Ipswich Town on home turf. Millen soon learned that his stint as head coach was to be a struggle after suffering a second defeat in their first away match of the season against Cardiff City.

Despite claiming their first victory against Leicester City, more disappointment awaited the Robins as they crashed out of the Carling Cup in the early stages to League Two side Swindon Town.

September

Millen failed to lead his team to victory in September, losing three matches and claiming just one point against Hull City.

Pressure began to intensify on the former assistant manager, with the club's supporters becoming disgruntled with the form of the Championship side.

October

Millen's managerial career at Ashton Gate came to an end three months into the campaign following a 5-0 thrashing by Blackpool at Bloomfield Road, and was subsequently replaced by Derek McInnes.

The Robins' new boss failed to get his managerial stint with Bristol off the ground following a 2-0 defeat to former Premier League side Birmingham City. However, McInnes claimed the side's second win of the season against Barnsley in the final match of the month.

November

As the festive fixtures drew nearer, the Robins began to snatch points from their opponents after a stalemate against West Ham United.

McInnes gave renewed hope to the City fans with a 2-0 win over league favourites Southampton at Ashton Gate, but fears increased over the future of frontman Nicky Maynard as the 25-year-old continued to stall on a new deal.

December

Despite a positive period in City's campaign, McInnes's side dropped down the table after three defeats to Middlesbrough, Derby and Coventry. The Championship side have only claimed one point this month from a goalless draw with Nottingham Forest.

It is becoming ever more likely that Maynard will be on his way out of Ashton Gate as reports claim that a January move to the Premier League is imminent for the forward.

McInnes will be desperate for points from the Robins' second half of the season as Bristol hover above the relegation zone, with only goal difference saving them.

ID:11770: cacheID:11770:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4466:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Nicky Maynard
Read Next:
Bristol City resigned to losing Maynard
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sunderland1695226121432
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1610422191232
3Burnley168621961330
4Leeds UnitedLeeds158522491529
5Middlesbrough1683529191027
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom166821811726
7Watford168262524126
8Millwall166641914524
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn156451917222
10Bristol City165742020022
11Derby CountyDerby165562020020
12Stoke CityStoke165561920-120
13Norwich CityNorwich164752524119
14Swansea CitySwansea155461110119
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds165471826-819
16Luton TownLuton165381826-818
17Coventry CityCoventry164572223-117
18Oxford UnitedOxford Utd164571924-517
19Plymouth ArgylePlymouth164571728-1117
20Preston North EndPreston163761624-816
21Cardiff CityCardiff164481524-916
22Hull City163671621-515
23Portsmouth152671628-1212
24Queens Park RangersQPR161871326-1311


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!