Bristol City

Bristol City head coach Gerhard Struber has hailed his side after their 4-1 win over Sheffield United.

Scott Twine scored twice and had a hand in the other two goals, as the Robins gained revenge for their play-off semi-final defeat at the hands on the Blades 89 days ago.

"We did many things in the right way today," Struber told BBC Radio Bristol.

"Our pressing worked most of the time - we had a little bit of a gap in the first half for 15 to 20 minutes.

"But we changed our trigger moments a little bit and how we press, especially in the second half, and this worked much better.

"We are so clean in our transitions, so sharp and also the finishing was on a very great level today.

"We are very happy with the performance and of course with the result."

Sheffield United and Bristol City will be debuting their new bosses on Saturday's late afternoon game (17:30 BST) to ring in their new Championship season.

For the Robins, Austrian Gerhard Struber will be hoping to take the mantle on from former boss Liam Manning and set Bristol City up for another promotion fight with a huge win over the side that gave them a 6-0 drubbing in the play-off semi-finals.

While Blades boss Ruben Selles will need to prove he's up to scratch in front of a home crowd after he replaced the much-loved Chris Wilder.

• Sheffield United are unbeaten across their last six league games against Bristol City (W4 D2), with each of their last three wins coming via a one-goal margin.

• Three of Bristol City's last four league wins against Sheffield United have come at Bramall Lane, with the Robins scoring 2+ goals in each of those victories.

• Sheffield United have lost on each of the last four occasions their first league game of the season has come at home, failing to score in each of the last three.

• Bristol City have won their opening league game in just one of the last seven seasons (D4 L2), beating Coventry 2-1 at home in 2020-21.

• Bristol City have won just one of their last 15 away league games (D7 L7), beating Millwall 2-0 back in March.

Image source, Rex Features

Bristol City captain Jason Knight says the new style of play implemented by head coach Gerhard Struber will suit the squad.

Struber wants to bring in a more aggressive, attacking-minded style this season, since being appointed in June.

"I think we've definitely got the squad for it - we've got a young, hungry group that want to be aggressive, on the front foot and hopefully the fans will see that and the results will back it up," Knight told BBC Radio Bristol.

"Hopefully it can improve me and bring out the best in me - but that's down to me performing as well."

Midfielder Knight led the Robins to the play-offs last season for the first time in 17 years and he said the team need to aim as high again this campaign.

"You want to keep building, there's no point standing still - we've got to go again, push on more this season and that's what we're going to try and do," Knight said.

"We're ambitious players, we're ambitious as a club and we've got to reflect that on the pitch as well.

"We've got to back that up and demand a standard of ourselves in the squad that we go again and push for that same level of success and go for more."

We asked you to pose your questions for the Bristol City boss Gerhard Struber.

He joined BBC Radio Bristol's Ed Hadwin ahead of their first game of the season at Sheffield United on Saturday (17:30 BST).

Thanks for getting in touch and here is a selection of just some of the answers from the head coach - you can listen to the whole programme here.

Phillippa - How easy was it to come to Bristol City?

GS - My plan was different, I wanted a break after (leaving) Cologne but I always had a big connection with English football. Bristol City knocked on the door and from all the conversations we had it was clear to me it could be a win-win for everyone. For me it was clear I had to come.

Liam/Harry/Richard - With the squad you have for next season and the budget, do you think we are ready again for a push for the play offs and promotion?

GS - We have an interesting group of players and I have a high level of trust in them. I would say now the style of play will be different - we want to be aggressive on the field with a high intensity. We need a big roster of players with resilience to go this way. One of our big strengths is a great dressing room with leaders. I can feel the expectation after last season but it's important from the inside we work in the here and now. To look too far in the future is not smart.

Phillip - What objectives have you been set by the board?

GS - They expect in the end we go a typical Bristol City way which means results and integrate local players. I want to bring new young players into the team. At the same time I must realise when the players are ready.

David - You've used a number of young players during pre-season. Which of those are you most excited about and who if any do you believe will have an impact on the first team this season?

GS - They are important players - but this is not a romantic world, I hope they understand that - they have to fight and when they show me good performances I am open to giving them time to play. (On Ephraim Yeboah) He has shown me he is brave on the field, and showed not only me but also his team mates and there is Elijah (Morrison) and Adam Murphy who are interesting and we will see what comes.

Paul/Ben/Geoff - Is there any money available to buy players and will there be any more new signings?

GS - We are open but it's important that not only you find someone who is technically and tactically on the same level or better but also his character and mentality must be on the top level. I test this before I decided to bring a player in. I have to protect my team and I think we've done a good job so far. We are looking and hope we can find the one or other who can help us.

Paul/Geoff - Do you think we have enough quality up front? Are you looking for another striker?

GS - We have a lot of strikers on the roster with the right quality but if there is one on the market who would be ready for us the door is open, but it has to be the right one.

Ian/Kevin - Will you be starting with two strikers?

GS - We should be flexible in our system. I want to be fluid with how we press the opposition and how we are in possession. This might be with one striker or two. We want to create a set-up where the opposition aren't clear which system they will be playing against.

Paul - Fally Mayulu didn't even make it off the bench on Saturday so is he even in your plans?

GS - I don't know why last season wasn't his season. I see a player with interesting potential and the last few weeks he showed the ambition to grow and learn and with coaching we can bring him on a level to be on our starting roster. I can say when I was at Cologne he was on our radar.

Steve - If we're leading and there were 10 minutes left and the opposition were on top, would you take off the person who scored both goals to be more defensive?

GS - Football is so special and always different - it might be a game where we bring someone on to be more defensive but from my DNA I would say right now is the time to bring a third striker on and go all in. But also (you would have to think) what is going on in the table? So we have to think strategically - maybe not every fan can realise why a coach changes something.

Image source, Getty Images

New Bristol City head coach Gerhard Struber will be in the BBC Radio Bristol studio on Monday, 4 August ahead of the start of the new Championship season.

The Austrian will be speaking to the BBC exclusively for the first time on his opening weeks in charge and you can send in your questions for him.

Listen on Sound of the City from 18:00-19:00 BST on BBC Radio Bristol or BBC Sounds, or watch live on our live text page on the BBC Sport website.

Send in your questions here.

Image source, Rex Features

Bristol City academy prospects Taine Anderson and Raphael Araoye have agreed new contracts with the club.

Both players have yet to make their first-team debut for the Robins.

Left-back Anderson, 19, has signed a three-year extension on his deal, having already agreed to spend next season on loan at League Two side Cheltenham Town.

Centre-back Raphael Araoye (pictured), 20, has agreed a one-year deal.

Araoye, who has been at the club since the age of 11, played five games for Yeovil last season during a loan spell in the National League.

Image source, Rex Features

Olly Thomas has signed a new one-year contract at Bristol City.

The 20-year-old has yet to make a senior appearance for the Robins but has been given a one-year deal following the end of his academy contract.

The Bristol-born forward first signed professional terms at the club in March 2023 and has spent time on loan at Bath City, Yeovil Town and Newport County.

Technical director Brian Tinnion told the club website, external: "We're really pleased that Olly will be with us for another year.

"He is a talented player and this extension reflects the hard work he's put in over the past year."

Image source, Getty Images

Bristol City are actively looking for new recruits but are not under pressure to bring in new faces, according to boss Gerhard Struber.

The Robins have signed goalkeeper Joe Lumley from Southampton, Adam Randell from Plymouth and Preston forward Emil Riis Jakobsen.

"We are open with our eyes and ears in the market but we don't feel we are under stress, and we are looking for the right one," Struber told BBC Radio Bristol.

"When we find the right one then something could happen - we are ready for this step but are not under pressure."

City are being linked with a move for Manchester United goalkeeper Radek Vitek, with Max O'Leary set to be sidelined for up to four months following ankle surgery.

"We know we have a player out and Max was a key last season and if we have to do something we will see what's going on in the next few days," added Struber

Midfielder Marcus McGuane left Ashton Gate to join Huddersfield Town last week but Struber would not be drawn on whether more players could head for the exit before the transfer window closes on 1 September.

He said: "We are not planning for any players here to do something - I am very happy with the roster but at the same time I would say we are always open."

Bristol City kick-off the new Championship campaign at Sheffield United on 9 August (17:30 BST) in a rematch of their play-off semi-final last season.

Bristol City have agreed a season-long loan deal for Manchester United goalkeeper Radek Vitek, 21. The Czech is being brought in to provide competition to cover the injured Max O'Leary. (Bristol Live), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's gossip column here.