Bristol City boss proud of fortress tag

Gary Johnson reckons Ashton Gate's reputation as a "fortress" could be worth a goal head-start to Bristol City when they host Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship tomorrow.

City last suffered defeat in front of their own fans in the League on December 20, 2008, since then they have remained unbeaten in 18 games in BS3.

And manager Johnson believes that record will be playing on the minds of Wednesday players, who have shipped seven goals in their last two fixtures on the road and have won only once away from Hillsborough all season.

"We've always said we want to make Ashton Gate a fortress and that is what has happened," declared Johnson.

"I know we've drawn a few at home, but to go 18 unbeaten is a record we should all be proud of. It is certainly something that Wednesday will be aware of.

"They've been very complimentary about our record at Ashton Gate and have admitted this might not be the best time for them to play us here.

"Psychologically, it has to give us an advantage. Wednesday will know of our record here and they will be thinking about it in the build-up to the game."

He added: "Opposition managers always talk to me after games here and mention the crowd and the atmosphere. It's something we can use in our favour.

"In fact, it's almost worth a one-goal head-start for us."

City will be in confident mood following a five-match unbeaten sequence which has lifted them into the play-off zone and Johnson expects his team to take the game to the visitors.

He reasoned: "We're in credit and, when a team is in credit, it generally plays with a lot more confidence.

"We've scored six goals in our last two games and that will encourage the lads to express themselves and try things they might not otherwise try.

"Because we're on a good run, players are going to take shots from anywhere and the crowd won't mind if things don't always come off.

"It means we are in a position where we can have a real go at a Sheffield Wednesday side which has had difficulty away from home."

The Owls may have suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat against Watford at Vicarage Road in their last away game, but Johnson is taking nothing for granted.

He said: "That makes them dangerous opponents. They've had a bad result in front of the Sky TV cameras and they'll be desperate to put it right.

"It means we're not sure what to expect. Brian Laws (Wednesday manager) may make changes in personnel and he might change formation and tactics.

"They could come here, put men behind the ball and try to frustrate us, or they could opt for all-out attack.

"When a team is coming off a heavy defeat like that, they feel they have nothing to lose and that's when they become a threat."

Johnson is expected to make just one change to the side which won 3-2 at Barnsley last Saturday.

Bradley Orr limped out of that game after just 18 minutes with a calf injury and is unlikely to feature tomorrow. Cole Skuse replaced him at right wing-back at Oakwell and is again standing by should the Liverpudlian fail a fitness test.