Lee Johnson was a man under serious pressure as the new decade got under way with Bristol City faltering once again in the Championship.

Expectations were high at the start of the campaign with many expecting to see the Robins challenging for the top two, so when they started falling well short of that, the fans started to make their voices heard.

However, flash forward to the start of February and they are back in the play-offs and just five points behind second-placed Leeds United, with the feel good factor returning to the fans after four wins on the bounce.

So how has Johnson managed this turn around?

Here are THREE things he's done...

Transfers

Out of all the clubs in the Championship, it is hard to think of one who had a better January transfer window than Bristol City.

One thing that Johnson was criticised for prior to the window opening was his lack of ambition. Whether that be his in game tactics, squad selections or just what he said in the media, he was accused of playing it safe.

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But to go out and bring in a striker like Nahki Wells and strengthen the entirety of the Robins squad with Henriksen coming in in midfield and Benkovic coming in at the back, has helped silence those doubters.

Faith in Diedhiou

The big striker has long been a fan favourite at Ashton Gate although has never really managed to kick on to the levels that say Tammy Abraham or Bobby Reid reached at the club.

But he has really responded to the faith shown in him by Johnson in recent weeks, netting three in his last six and providing one assist as well.

It may only be a matter of time until Wells displaces him in the starting XI, but by putting such a popular figure at the forefront of his plans once again, Johnson has helped his own image considerably.

Change of shape

A lot of criticism was thrown Johnson's way for the dull, safe nature of their play during the opening three or four months of the season and, for the most part, it was fair enough.

He was reluctant to play his most creative players, with the likes of Niclas Eliasson dropped to the bench in favour of more industrious players who lacked that cutting edge.

However, he has switched that in recent weeks, ditching the 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 for a 4-2-3-1 which allows far more creativity, with Weimann, Paterson and Eliasson all starting behind Diedhiou in recent weeks.