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Bristol City Aim to Prove Their Doubters Wrong This Season

The Championship season got underway at the start of the month and Bristol City made a blistering start to the campaign netting eight times in the opening league and cup games. Some pundits had suggested Lee Johnson's outfit would struggle to compete this season but the Robins are determined to prove their detractors wrong.

Source: Bristol City BP via Twitter

After flirting with relegation for long periods of last season, Bristol City rallied to finish 17th in the Championship. Survival was always going to be the aim but many fans were left underwhelmed by the inconsistent campaign which included a 5-0 hammering at the hands of Preston North End at the start of April. The manager's inability to field a settled starting eleven also caused frustration amongst the fan base.

Tammy Abraham hit 26 goals in Bristol City colours last season and was pivotal in the clubs survival. The Chelsea loanee wanted to prove himself in the Premier League this season and opted to join Swansea as opposed to spending a second season at Ashton Gate. Some fans were left wondering how his goals would be replaced; step forward Famara Diedhiou. The Senegalese striker commanded a hefty fee of £5.3 million that didn't appear to weigh heavy on his shoulders as he put in a sterling performance against Barnsley on the opening day of the season. The former Angers man found the net on debut and linked up well with local boy Bobby Reid.

Reid impressed in pre-season having been pushed further forward by manager Lee Johnson and his impressive haul included a terrific performance against Yeovil in mid-July. The 24-year-old has spent time on loan at Cheltenham and Plymouth in the past but has made enough of an impression to force himself into the first team and he rewarded his manager's faith with a brace against Barnsley on the opening weekend.

Source: The City Edition via Twitter

Diedhiou and Reid's partnership could be key this season to Bristol City's chances of finishing in the top half of the table. They've struck up an understanding throughout pre-season and they are now reaping the rewards. The Robins hit five past League One Plymouth in the Carabao Cup in midweek despite multiple changes by the manager and they are attacking in numbers and with gusto.

Their eye-catching start to the campaign has caused their odds to shorten after just one game and they are now priced up at 12/1 to be promoted in the current Championship betting markets. Meanwhile, Famara Diedhiou is 33/1 to finish as the league's top goalscorer. Even the most wildly optimistic City fans will admit it is very early days to be talking about the possibility of playing in the Premier League next year but they've certainly made a pleasing start.

Being written off as relegation fodder this season may just have inspired Bristol City and Lee Johnson. Tammy Abraham may have been the focal point of the team last season but it appears as though a more even spread throughout the side is likely this time around. The Robins sit top of the table after one game and whilst fans shouldn't get too carried away just yet there are likely to be many entertaining afternoons in store at Ashton Gate throughout the season.

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