After Cardiff City's win against Derby County, Bristol City's play-off hopes look all but over for another season. 

It's certainly been an eventful campaign for the Robins and one that has, of course, seen Lee Johnson depart after more than four years at Ashton Gate.

Question marks remain over his long-term replacement but under caretaker Dean Holden, City have shown some real quality and look a side that isn't going to give up on their top-six hopes until it's mathematically impossible.

With the season nearing its end, we've looked back at the 2019/20 campaign and assessed the five things we've learnt about the Robins...

One of the main takeaways from the 2019/20 season is the fact that City look set to fall short of the play-offs once again.

The Robins were touted by many as something of a 'dark horse' to make it to the play-offs and turn some heads this term.

That hasn't happened and though some of the blame for that will likely be put at Johnson's door, we've learnt City aren't quite where they want to be just yet.

The home form remains an issue – they have the ninth-worst record in the Championship – as does their inability to capitalise on the mistakes of their competition.

On a number of occasions, they've stumbled in games that could've seen them take a step toward the play-offs – the loss to Birmingham City when they had a chance to go third, for example.

The Bs3 outfit haven't made the progress this term they would've hoped to and they aren't quite where they want to be...yet.

The decision to sack Johnson after the defeat to Cardiff a few weeks ago was, without doubt, a shock but what it outlined was the determination of the club, and owner Steve Lansdown, to take that next step.

The 39-year-old coach deserves a lot of credit for taking the Robins from a relegation-battling club to one with promotion hopes but the progress appeared to have stalled under him and Lansdown was cutthroat.

Many people – myself included – felt that the City owner's close relationship with Johnson would mean that the former midfielder would get another year in charge.

Given what he's done over the past four years and the squad turnover this season you could argue Johnson deserved that, however, Lansdown's intent to get the Robins to where he wants them to be – a side seriously pushing for the Premier League – has been clear in his decision.

The Robins have brought some exciting young players through in recent years and judging from what we've seen this season, the future remains very bright.

Summer signing Han-Noah Massengo looks a very exciting prospect and though at times this season his rawness has been clear to see in central midfield, the 18-year-old will surely continue to impress moving forward.

Midfielders Joe Morrell and Liam Walsh have had excellent seasons out on loan in League One, with Lincoln City and Coventry City respectively, and they look set to return to the squad in the summer.

Add to that the impressive performances of defenders Jay Dasilva, Taylor Moore, and, in recent weeks, Zak Vyner and there is a lot to like about City's future.

Who exactly the Robins best options are in the final third remains a mystery, despite the fact we're just three games short of the end of the campaign.

City have found themselves in the odd position this term of regularly having no place in the side for Niclas Eliasson, who was the league's leading assist provider for long periods.

There have been murmurings that winger could leave Ashton Gate this summer, along with Famara Diedhiou.

The Senegal international has had an impressive year but you'd question whether he is the 20-a-season goalscorer that promotion-chasing sides so often need.

Nahki Wells could be that, as could Benik Afobe – though the Stoke City loanee's future remains unclear as well.

Kasey Palmer has dazzled and frustrated in equal measure during his few opportunities for City and in many ways is symptomatic of the question marks that remain over the Robins' attacking identity.

It's been a busy year for the Robins in the transfer market at their dealings have outlined that though they want to take the next step, their strategy in the market remains the same.

City chairman Mark Ashton has noted in the past that the club looks to buy players for cheap, develop them, and sell them for a profit.

We've seen that outlined clearly this term – none more so than with the sales of arguably their two best players, Josh Brownhill and Adam Webster, in deals that earned the club significant money but hampered their chances on the pitch.

Lansdown has shown that though he's keen to see the club take the next step, the business plan remains the same.

 

Do you know what shirt number each of these 14 Bristol City players wear? Have a go now!