Meet the opposition | Bristol City
As Swansea City get set to take on Bristol City in the Sky Bet Championship on Sunday afternoon, we take a closer look at the Robins.
What's their story?
Established in 1894, Bristol City, affectionately known as the Robins, initially started out playing within the Southern and Western League, before being admitted to the Football League in 1901.
The Robins have lifted silverware on three occasions in their history, winning the Football League Trophy in 1986, 2003, and most recently in 2015.
Their early Football League years coincided with the club's best-ever league finish as they ended the 1906-07 season in second place in the top-flight, behind only Newcastle United.
That came on the back of promotion to the First Division the previous season, while they were beaten FA Cup finalists in 1909 as they suffered defeat to Manchester United at Crystal Palace.
Having gone so close to Premier League promotion in 2008 - losing the play-off final to Hull - they are now in their eighth-consecutive season at Championship level having secured promotion from League One in 2015.
How's their form?
Bristol City’s current form is good.
They are comfortably midtable; 13th in the current standings 12 points ahead of the relegation places and 12 points from the play offs.
In their past six games, they’ve picked up eight points (two draws and two wins) which puts them 14th on current form. Their away record in recent matches has been slightly better than their record at home.
Who’s the gaffer?
Nigel Pearson. Pearson began coaching just a few months removed from his playing career in 1998, taking over at Carlisle United.
After taking assistant roles at clubs like Stoke City, West Brom and Newcastle United, Pearson became head coach at Southampton in 2008.
After a brief stint with the Saints, he went on to land roles at Leicester City - who he led to promotion and Premier League survival prior to their title success under Claudio Ranieri - Hull City, Derby County, OH Leuven and Watford before replacing Dean Holden as Bristol City manager in February of 2021.
As a player, the centre-back suited up for Shrewsbury Town, Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough, making 448 league appearances over 17 years.
Who's the captain?
Austrian international Andreas Weimann was chosen as Bristol City’s new club captain by his teammates following the departure of Dan Bentley in February 2023.
Weimann, who has made 177 appearances and scored 48 goals in a four-and-half year spell will be supported by Matty James as vice-captain.
Weimann joined Bristol City in the summer of 2018 on a three-year contract, with an option for a further year,
This season, the 31-year-old has been involved in 33 championship fixtures, with five goals to his name - including a goal in the Robins' victory against Blackpool last time out.
Who are the key men?
Nineteen-year-old Alex Scott - who starred in all five of Bristol City’s league fixtures in February as the Robins went unbeaten in the league - was named EFL Young Player of the Month. The Bristol City academy graduate has featured 35 times this season in the league, netting his first goal of the season in the Robins victory over Blackpool at Ashton Gate.
Bermudan international Nahki Wells also carries a significant goal threat, netting on 11 occasions already this season. The former Huddersfield Town, Bradford and Queens Park Rangers forward also has four assists to his name this campaign.
Academy product Sam Bell rose on to the scene following his success in the Robins' FA Cup campaign. The 20-year-old netted three goals in four games in their Cup run and has since scored his first Championship goal for his club, which came against Preston North End in February.