Gary Johnson has reluctantly admitted he can see credence in the argument Bristol City's Wembley woe could be a blessing in disguise.

The Robins took the Championship by storm following last season's promotion from League One - but were unable to make it a fairytale campaign after they were beaten 1-0 by Hull in the play-off final on Saturday.

It had been suggested before the game that it might be too early for City to be promoted to the Premier League having spent the previous eight years languishing in English football's third tier.

Derby, who were victorious against West Brom in the play-off final last year, had been used as an example of what can happen to teams who are not ready to make the step up to the top flight.

County finished bottom of the Premier League with an all-time low points total of 11 after winning just one match all season.

Johnson said: "I can see where people are coming from when they say that, and maybe from that perspective, if there is anything positive we can take out of losing, it could be that.

"But we at this club feel that if you have the opportunity to go up and the opportunity to play at the highest level then you should try to take it, and that's what we tried to do.

"Unfortunately, we haven't been able to do that on this occasion and it will probably take us a while to get over this.

"I understand what people say about us not being ready to go up, and that is what I will be telling the players in about four weeks' time when they are getting over this.

"I can't tell them that now because they are obviously so upset and disappointed and nobody would listen to me."

Meanwhile, City defender Bradley Orr remained in Acton Hospital overnight after undergoing surgery on his depressed fractured cheekbone.

Orr was stretchered off at the end of the first half on Saturday following a clash of heads with Hull midfielder Nick Barmby.

Team Talk / Eurosport