Bristol City boss Gary Johnson insists the mere mention of the Championship play-offs is now forbidden in the Robins' dressing room.Johnson's side remain top of the table following Tuesday night's goalless draw at home to fellow promotion rivals Watford but their lead was cut to just a point after Stoke's win at Norwich.

They had goalkeeper Adriano Basso to thank after he saved a Darius Henderson penalty five minutes before half-time as the Hornets drew for the fifth consecutive game.

With just eight games remaining the Robins, who finished second in League One last season, are on the verge of successive promotions - a feat last achieved by Watford under Graham Taylor in 1998 and 1999.

Johnson has spent much of the season playing down their chances, but he now admits they would be foolish to simply settle for a play-off berth given their current position.

"We don't even talk about the play-offs, we can't talk about the play-offs because we are in a position where we are looking for automatic promotion," Johnson said.

"If we have to fall back on the play-offs then so be it - that's the first time I've ever said it. We really are looking at staying where we are as best we can."

Defeats for Charlton, Ipswich and Plymouth Argyle handed the top four further breathing space at the summit - and as far as the Robins boss is concerned, the fewer teams vying for automatic promotion the better.

"We know that we can compete with the best. I know we are one of the best because we are up there but with eight games to go we are still up there," he added.

"Stoke and West Brom will have a lot to say in it as well. The further it goes on, I don't want to say it is a four-horse race because it wasn't - but it's getting nearer that way and it's great if we can leave behind the likes of Charlton, Plymouth and Ipswich.

"We are going to try and work very hard to stay up there. I always pass negative comments back to the lads, it gives us more strength."

Watford boss Adrian Boothroyd believes a team outside the top four could yet spring a surprise and pointed to Sunderland's late surge to the title last season as an example.

"I don't know whether it's a four-horse race because obviously Sunderland came late and you never know. We have our game in hand but they only count if you win them," Boothroyd said.

"The teams that have the points on the board, Stoke and Bristol City, will be pleased with what they've done so we'll see. It's certainly going to be very exciting I think."

His side can move within a point of the leaders if they win their game in hand and Boothroyd is expecting a grandstand finish.

"It was important for them that we didn't beat them but it was important for us that they didn't beat us as well. I think it's a great Championship this year," he added.

"I'm pleased that it's going the way it is but we have got to focus on us now and make sure we get a result on Saturday."

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