Johnson hopes to catch Robins cold

Johnson returns to his former club hoping the Reds can boost their play-off chances by extending their eight-game unbeaten run against Steve Cotterill's runaway League One leaders, who lifted their first piece of silverware of the season last Sunday with victory against Walsall.

"They've really cruised it haven't they?," said Johnson, who spent six years at Ashton Gate as a player, winning promotion to the Championship in 2007 and beaten in the play-off final with them the following year.

"It never really looked in doubt and they've just won the JPT final as well, so they'll be high spirited and full of confidence, but sometimes that's a good time to catch people.

"Hopefully they'll be dehydrated from all the alcoholic beverages they've enjoyed while celebrating their win!

"Joking aside it would be rude of me and unwise to say they'll be complacent because they're up there for a reason and they've been the best side - they're champions-elect if you like.

"But, what that gives us is that feeling that we can go there, the boys aren't under pressure, they can go there and play free and know that if they get any result they return as heroes.

"Bristol City have done very well but they've also had the best budget in the league.

"They've got some good players. They spent some decent money, but to be fair you've got to spend that on decent players and then blend the team and credit to them and credit to Steve Cotterill."