Johnson hopes for good start

BRISTOL City manager Gary Johnson may be stating the obvious when he calls for his side to make a winning start to their season at Blackpool on Saturday but his determination shows exactly what he is aiming for even before the season has started.

The manager is urging his team to come out of the blocks fast again in a bid to re-create the fantastic form from last season which put them in such a good position. City went on an unbeaten run of eight games during August and September which Johnson believed laid the foundation for their play-off place in May,

"A good start is so important. If you look at the statistics, they show that those teams in the top six or seven after 10 games or so are generally in the same positions come the end of the season," he told teamtalk.com.

Gary seems well aware that sides who win promotion 'will most likely be won by those who occupy the top positions early on'.

"We made a good start last season and were never out of the top six from September onwards. If you start strong, it gives you the impetus and the belief to stay there."