DON’T GET EXCITED YET, SAYS JOHNSON
Rampant Robins in the zone
LEE JOHNSON urged his flying Bristol City team to keep their feet on the ground after they had swept into the play-off zone with a fifth successive Championship win.
Add two FA Cup victories in January and it is seven on the trot for the vibrant Robins, who are unbeaten in 13 games stretching back to November.
Johnson said: “I don’t mind our supporters getting ahead of themselves and partying. But my job is to keep the players focused.
“There is still plenty of room for improvement and a lot we can work on. Take your eye off the ball in the Championship and you can soon be on the slide.
“I’m pleased with the clean sheet and felt we defended really well as a team.
“The players coming off the bench are all making an impact. Today all three added energy at a vital stage.”
Andreas Weimann headed Bristol in front seconds after the interval, placing his effort perfectly from Jamie Paterson’s cross for his first goal since August.
And it was Weimann’s clever through ball that allowed Callum O’Dowda to make the points safe after 74 minutes with a cool low finish.
Swansea contributed plenty to an entertaining game, almost equalising after 62 minutes when a George Byers shot was tipped on to a post by Bristol goalkeeper Frank Fielding.
More than 3,000 Swans fans spent much of the game venting their anger at the owners amid disenchantment with a final day of the January transfer window that saw three players depart and none brought in.
Visiting boss Graham Potter said: “The boys gave everything at the end of a tough week. We didn’t have the ideal preparation, but that is not an excuse. I understand that this is a disappointing time for our supporters and it is a challenge for all of us. But we have to come together as a club.
A first half full of open, attacking football failed to produce a goal, although both sides carved out chances. Swansea’s Matt Grimes put in the first effort of note when his low 25-yard drive was saved by Fielding.
Bristol thought they had taken a 24th-minute lead when Famara Diedhiou’s header from an O’Dowda corner was touched in at the far post by Weimann, who was flagged offside. But Swansea carried plenty of threat and Fielding had to be alert to deal with Mike van der Hoorn’s half-volley after 28 minutes. The crowd didn’t have to wait long for the deadlock to be broken after the interval, Weimann finding the back of the net with virtually the first attack.
Swansea almost equalised after 62 minutes when Byers let fly from fully 25 yards and Fielding appeared to get a touch to divert the ball on to a post.
O’Dowda’s goal gave Johnson’s men breathing space. And the winger should have scored again after 83 minutes when put in by substitute Niclas Eliasson, only to see his shot saved by Erwin Mulder.