Bristol City are having a tough time of things as of late having lost their last four fixtures in a row.

Lee Johnson must surely be feeling the pressure after such a poor run of results, only scoring two goals in the quartet of defeats.

At the same stage last season, the Robins were nine places and nine points better off than their current position of 14th and points haul of 22. 

There has been significant investment in the squad, and the stadium and much more is expected after the backing received.

It has been an inconsistent and less effective campaign from all involved, and that could signal owner Steve Landsdown to start to consider the possibility of a replacement, should their poor form persist over the festive period and into the New Year. 

With that said, here are three considerations to Landsdown should he need to do the unthinkable and ponder a replacement to the current first team-manager at Bristol City.

The current Blackpool manager is quietly and unassumingly going about his business in League One with the Tangerines just one place and one point off of a play-off place.

Since his appointment as caretaker before getting the job on a permanent basis, Terry McPhillips has won 13 of his 25 matches in charge, losing just five.

If Blackpool continue to improve then the 50-year-old, who is in his first managerial job, could be in the running for a post further up the footballing pyramid with Bristol City a possible future place of employment.

The Lincoln manager has been touted for jobs in the second tier for a while and having ignored all advances; he has currently guided his side to the top of League Two.

Danny Cowley and his brother, Nicky, have been an impressive managerial duo and should they continue to produce the goods, then Steve Lansdown should undoubtedly have the pair on his radar should the Robins’ poor form continue over the festive period.

It could be a potential appointment that would be a breath of fresh air at Aston Gate.

It might seem like a bit of a stretch, but Martin O’Neill is out of a job and could be rejuvenated moving back into club management.

O’Neill has had success within the domestic game, and it could be an ambitious, impressive appointment should Lee Johnson get dismissed, should the poor run they are on continue.

With the investment within the club, O’Neill is adept at managing clubs with massive support and even bigger expectations.

With the disaster that was the UEFA Nations League campaign now over, it could be the perfect job to get him back into club management.