Bristol City look set to go into the new season with high hopes and new ambitions under the recently appointed 34-year-old Lee Johnson.

The Robins have had a somewhat underwhelming season since their return to the second tier - conceding a whopping total of 70 goals over the Championship campaign - which ultimately made Bristol City the 4th leakiest defence in the league.

This eventually became too much for Bristol City, who parted ways with Steve Cotterill - after a woeful Christmas period which would continue into January leaving City in serious danger of returning into the League One, despite winning it the very season before.

For City it was disappointing to see the 51-year-old sacked in who they saw lead the club to their first title since 1955 - under the Cotterill regime with a Johnstone's Paint trophy to add the icing on the cake.

Eventually Bristol City steadied ship with the support of late season arrivals such as; Lee Tomlin (on loan from Bournemouth), Scott Golbourne, Peter Odemwingie (on loan from Stoke) but most importantly of all the change in manager proved crucial - which lead to Bristol City surviving comfortably in 18th prior to the last game of the season.

Football League World writer Ryan Gaffney will be assessing FIVE potential signings that Bristol City NEED to make to mount a promotion push.....

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CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE PLAYERS!

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Patrick Bamford 

Patrick BamfordPatrick Bamford

The Grantham born striker has seen himself in a two separate promotion pushes with Derby County and Middlesbrough, racking up an impressive goal tallies whilst on loan to both clubs, meaning the 22-year-old has plenty of credentials that make him a suitable candidate for any Championship club looking for a promotion push.

Patrick's pure eye for goal and clinical finishing illustrates that the youngster has plenty of talent and potential, for any club lucky to acquire his services from Chelsea.

Since being given the opportunity to play in the Premier League, Bamford has had minimal impact for both Crystal Palace and Norwich with his current club battling to stay in the Premier League.

It is unlikely that Bamford will be back next season for the canaries regardless of where Norwich will be playing next season, because Bamford has only grasped 12 appearances - 10 of which are off from the bench.

Should Bamford be given the opportunity to play again in the Championship his knowledge of the second tier could be well suited to partner Kodjia.

Alex Pritchard

Alex PritchardAlex Pritchard

The Spurs youngster who is currently on loan at West Brom showed his talent in the Championship last season, when he helped guide Brentford to a shock play-off place.

The attacking midfielder hasn't had much opportunity at West Brom - making a total of three appearances for the West Midlands club due to being lower down in the pecking order - However if given the opportunity to play in the Championship again, he would make great service for his accurate set pieces and pin point free kicks.

Spurs have been well known to granting youngsters a chance but after Pritchard's lack of appearances in the Premier League, it will more than likely lead to another loan before Pritchard is even considered by Tottenham's first team.

Pritchard would be an outstanding replacement for a player like Lee Tomlin who's loan runs out at the end of the season.

Steven Caulker 

caulker

Steven Caulker's loan to Liverpool was seen as cover for the Reds, meaning the chances of Caulker reappearing at Anfield is very slim after his loan ends at the end of the season.

Lee Johnson's main priority should be sorting out the Bristol defence - which leaked an abysmal total  70 goals this season - a signing like Steven Caulker who seems out of question at QPR would be excellent news for the club, who need someone with Caulker's pedigree, offering vast experience playing in both the top tier and the second tier of English football.

Still quite young at 24, the Londoner already knows what it is like to play for one of the top clubs in England.

His defensive characteristics can only get better to forming a potential, solid partnership with Aden Flint.

Adrian Mariappa 

Mariappa

The 29- year-old Jamaican centre back has only managed two appearances for Alan Pardew's Crystal Palace side this season - both in which Palace lost to Leicester and Man United.

The former Reading man's contract runs out in the summer, which would be a bargain to pick up on a free when you consider his ability to intercept and make himself a wall in the heart of any club's defence.

As stated before, Bristol City need to prioritise the defence because the Robins have had their fair share of goalscorers in the team but have lacked defensive stability - Adrian Mariappa is one candidate I would consider for building the back line.

Jordan Pickford 

Jordan Pickford

The Sunderland hotshot is highly sought after since making his mark on loan at Preston North end despite only being on loan to the Lilywhites for half a season.

The talented 22-year-old has only made 1 appearance for Sunderland, which is quite surprising to say the least when you consider how well Pickford had done in the Championship.

If Bristol City were to secure the signing of this young keeper it would offer the services of a young, upcoming shotstopper who knows how to win 1-on-1's and would lead the back line comfortably.

What do you think Bristol fans? Do you agree with my list? Will the Robins surge for a promotion push this season? let us know by dropping comments in the comments box below!