Bristol City manager Gary Johnson has revealed how chairman Steve Lansdown helped lift his spirits during what he describes as one of the most difficult weeks of his career.

Tuesday's crushing 6-0 defeat at the hands of Championship rivals Cardiff put Johnson under extreme pressure for virtually the first time since he arrived at Ashton Gate in September 2005.

Angry at the nature of their team's capitulation, a significant number of City fans turned on the manager and called for him to go.

But Lansdown, pictured above, has ruled out any knee-jerk reactions and reassured Johnson that he has his total backing.

Johnson said: "It's my job to lift the players and restore confidence ahead of the next game (at Middlesbrough today). But it's the chairman's job to help lift me.

"I think he's a great man manager and I think he does a great job on me. He was the first official face I saw after the end of the Cardiff game and I was glad he came to my office so quickly.

"You can see why he is so successful in business and with his football club and I would like to e his manager for a long time yet.

"We've been in these situations before and he is a very good man manager in adversity.

"I remember when we had a couple of dodgy results against Ipswich and Leicester during our first season in the Championship and we had to rally the troops. Steve talked to the players and me back then and helped us come through what was a difficult time for the football club.

"We know the Championship can be uncompromising and we know these things can happen sometimes. But it helps when you have a strong chairman, one who can pick you up and motivate you."

Although Lansdown has publicly backed the manager, Johnson admitted: "Some managers might have lost their jobs after a result like that and this has been one of the most difficult weeks of my career.

"You cannot lose 6-0 at home and everyone feels terrible when it happens. It's not just the fans, it upsets people in the dressing room and it upsets people in the manager's room.

"It's very difficult for a manager to take a result like that and it can be hard to get over it. But when you see your chairman waiting there for you and being supportive, it's a big thing.

"He is a football man, he knows the ups and downs of the business and he has been there for me on a few occasions previously when things have not gone well."

Lansdown addressed the players at a hastily-arranged meeting at Ashton Gate on Wednesday and Johnson revealed: "He told the lads about the repercussions for the business side of things.

"We gave out thousands of free programmes and they were being thrown onto the pitch. As a result, sponsors may decide they don't want to do that in the future.

"What happens on the pitch also has a big bearing on season ticket sales and affects the size of the crowds. The chairman explained that to the boys and showed a lot of passion while doing so.

"Our players do listen and they've taken what he said on board."

Although nothing has yet been confirmed, City midfielder Lee Johnson is expected to extend his stay with Derby County.

Johnson's loan spell is due to come to an end after today's clash with Nottingham Forest, but sources in the Midlands suggest Rams boss Nigel Clough is keen to extend the deal for a second month.

City manager Johnson said: "We haven't spoken to Derby about the situation yet, but I'm sure Nigel will talk to me over the weekend.

"He has said some very nice things about Lee and I know Lee has enjoyed his time up there without there being so much pressure on him."