Gary Johnson is challenging his Bristol City players to "eat, drink and think" goals as they prepare to take on Championship newcomers Peterborough United at Ashton Gate tomorrow.

City's manager has placed the accent on creating and taking chances during the two-week break for international matches and is demanding an end product against opponents who have already shipped 19 goals in 11 games so far this season.

Although the Robins have established themselves in the second tier since winning promotion from League in 2007, finishing fourth and tenth respectively, weight of goals has proved an Achilles heel.

Bristol City managed 54 goals in each of the last two seasons, compared with 88 scored by West Brom and 80 by Wolves, the champions in 2008 and 2009.

Johnson admitted: "We know we need to score more goals in the Championship and we've put the emphasis on that in training during the last two weeks.

"It's something we're conscious of and we've spoken to the players about and made it a requirement. We want them to focus harder on that particular aspect of the game.

"We have to be more potent at times and we need to have that mindset that we want to score goals. They are a bit like busses – nothing for a while and then two or three come along at once.

"I think it's a state of mind and you have to have the philosophy that you want to get the first goal and then go on to score two or three, especially when you are playing at home.

"Our home form is good this season and when things gel we look good.

"This is a relatively new team and some of the lads are still getting to know one another. I think we now have players who can create more chances in front of goal and it's a matter of making sure we have an end product. That is what counts and what makes you the team that you are."

Although Peterborough have yet to keep a clean sheet this season and have won only once in 11 games since gaining promotion from League One, Johnson is taking nothing for granted.

Posh caused City problems in a Carling Cup first round tie at Ashton Gate last season, scoring first and dominating the first half before eventually giving way 2-1, and Johnson is not fooled by their current position one place off the foot of the Championship table.

He warned: "Peterborough have some good players and you can be in trouble if you let them have the ball and get their passing game going.

"They're down the bottom and they are desperate, but they can be dangerous on the counter attack. They are where they are after 11 games and they can be a threat in a one-off situation. We have to impose our game on them and make sure we keep them under pressure, because we know we're going to have to earn the three points."

Johnson is not ruling out the prospect of selecting Costa Rica striker Alvaro Saborio to spearhead his attack, even though he has still to return from international duty.

Saborio featured in World Cup qualifying games against Trinidad & Tobago and the USA this week and is not due back in Bristol until later today.