Johnson walking fine line with Bristol on up

LEE JOHNSON joked about facing “a fine or a forfeit” after getting a yellow card as Bristol thrashed Blackburn.

Johnson’s caution for dissent five minutes before the interval was on the mind of owner Steve Lansdown when they met afterwards.

“He told me I could pay a fine or take a forfeit,” said Johnson. “I asked if he would tell me what the forfeit was before I paid up but he wouldn’t so I’ve a decision to make.”

Lansdown is unlikely to be too harsh. The other club he owns, Bristol Bears, won their Premiership rugby derby against Bath on Friday night in front of 26,000 fans at Ashton Gate.

A mere 19,769 saw City concede a Charlie Mulgrew goal before making it three wins in a row with strikes from Josh Brownhill, Marley Watkins, Famara Diedhiou and Marlon Pack. Johnson said: “This is a new group of players but they are all eager to learn and get better. I don’t know what expectations should be for this season. My target is for us to improve as the campaign goes along and I believe we have the squad to do that.”

Rovers manager Tony Mowbray felt the result was harsh: “If we’d been three up at the break it would have been no more than we deserved,” he said. “But this is the Championship and you come up against some very good sides. Bristol have been rebuilding as we’re doing, but are that bit ahead of us.”