Chairman Steve Lansdown has urged Bristol City supporters to put the club's recent dip in form into perspective.Top of the Championship in early March, the Robins have slipped to fourth in the table following an untimely run of just one win in their last nine matches and fans vented their disappointment after last week's defeat at Stoke all-but ended the club's automatic promotion hopes.

Lansdown shares their sense of anti-climax, but was quick to stress that a play-off spot is a strong possibility on the club's first season back in the Championship for eight years.

"They have to remember that we were a League One club this time last year. I know a lot of supporters would have settled for us finishing fourth from bottom before the start of the season," Lansdown told the Western Daily Press. "To have done as well as we have is an outstanding achievement, no matter what happens now.

"Of course, we are all disappointed that we have not kicked on and won automatic promotion. I know the players feel it and I know the fans do, too.

"One opportunity may have passed us by, but another one still awaits us. Even if we have to go into the play-offs, that will still represent a fantastic achievement in our first season back in the Championship."

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