Bristol City fan's view: It will be a big summer for our manager

Bristol City fan's view by Matt Withers

Swansea City's victory confirmed what we have known for a little while, that Bristol City will be playing in the Championship next season.

It will be a big summer for our manager and he has vowed to "progress" the club. When interviewed, Gary Johnson said that he had asked out-of-contract players if they were committed. Clearly, he feels that players' heads may have been turned and he wants to know if they want what he wants for the club. Dele Adebola is one who is out of contract and has been linked to other clubs, but the comment also refer to one or two others who may have a year on their contract to go.

Much has been said over Johnson's comments about the fans after the Ipswich game.

I am a massive Johnson fan but I'm not a sheep who thinks the manager can say or do no wrong.

He reportedly felt that some of his players and supporters conceded defeat in the loss at Forest. He was asked whether he felt the City fans had given up too early, and replied that he thought they did when they were needed to get behind the team.

Johnson has since said that the supporters have been fantastic this season, and that he felt it was a shame that reports and headlines made it look like he has disrespected them.

It does amaze me how many fans leave early from games and also the amount of negativity that exists within the stands. Too many fans expect immediate results and don't look at the bigger picture.

That said, I have always felt that it's a two-way thing and fans react to the performance they see on the pitch.

Chairman Steve Lansdown has had a busy few days. Before Saturday's game he went into the dressing room and talked about the future of the club.

At the end of last week, he pledged to put cash towards building the club's new stadium after raising £47 million from selling shares in his financial services company.

He stressed that he would not be donating the money and hopes to attract other investors to back the development.

Selling the naming rights of the stadium could help, but with problems. My entire life as a City supporter has been spent at Ashton Gate, and it would be strange watching my side at a stadium not named Ashton Gate.

It's no different to me moving house, as I did a couple of months back, but for me this means more.

I'd like to think that some of the name could remain, with the sponsor's name in front. It's all too easy to forget your heritage.