Despite Steve Cotterill’s double heroics last season at Ashton gate, Bristol City’s league position does put his job on the line.
Billionaire owner Steve Lansdown has openly said in the press he would like to see City higher in the table but has also stated the Cotterill’s job is not up for discussion after a minority of Robins fans have begun to ask question of the manager.
For some this closes the case, Lansdown, who is already spending vast sums of money on the re-development of the stadium at Ashton Gate, is not prepared to let the low league position and only four wins this season sway his mind to change management.
However it could be described as the “dreaded vote of confidence” and some fans who disagree with the persistence to play a 3-5-2 formation, and the lack of players bought in over the summer feel a new manager is what the club needs to give them a better chance of championship survival.
Bristol City drew 1-1 with QPR in their last game, and it was Steve Cotterill’s side who were more threatening throughout, despite needing a 80th minute goal from 36 year old Aaron Wilbraham to level after Hoilett scored 11 minutes into the second half.
Cotterill has now managed over 100 games for the Robins since taking over on 3rd December 2013. He led them from the foot of the table to win the league the following year with a massive ten point gap on second place MK Dons.
A 0-0 draw with Coventry saw Steve Cotterill`s men win City`s first league title in 60 years and a Wembley final against Walsall saw the Reds win their first ever league and cup double.
The 51 year old will be hoping for all three points on boxing day as his men take on Charlton Athletic at home in the battle at the bottom. The festive break and the January transfer period could be crucial for Cotterill as fans will want to see the squad strengthened in key areas.
Cotterill who could not put a foot wrong last season in league one has had championship experience before with previous club Nottingham Forest but was sacked shortly after the takeover of the club from the Al-Hasawi family.
In his final season at Forest, Cotterill was involved in a scare of a relegation scrap but good fortune and an improvement in results post February allowed the red half of Nottingham to be ten points clear of the drop at the end of the season.
If Cotterill is to remain at the helm of Bristol City he will need to pick up on results and steer clear of the drop zone.
