Johnson: Both Forest and City can scrap for promotion

GARY Johnson today predicted his Bristol City side will be among the promotion contenders at the end of the season – and urged Billy Davies to accept Nottingham Forest will be too.

The Robins boss was full of optimism after seeing his side extend their unbeaten run to seven matches with a 1-1 draw at the City Ground.

But, while Davies insisted Forest still have much work to do before they can consider themselves to be Premiership contenders, Johnson believes otherwise.

"I know Billy is sometimes the other way around, when he says they are not ready. But for our group of lads, we have to be aiming for the top," he said.

"We have to aim for a top-two finish and, if that means we are ending up in the play-offs, then great. But if you say you are not ready, then there is a danger you might end up in a relegation fight.

"You have to show optimism, then you have to back it up on the pitch.

"Forest are a team that can compete at the top end of the table, 100% without doubt."

Johnson credited Forest for the confidence they performed with, to extend their unbeaten run to eight.

"They have some good players, Billy has them organised and they will score goals," he said.

"Like any team in the Championship, when you get confidence, you see the best in people. They are playing with confidence.

"If they can come through the other side of Christmas in the right position, they will be close.

"I know our fans would not want me to be saying we are not ready (for promotion), but sometimes you can pick yourself up a couple of players when the board hear you say things like that."

Johnson denied that Nicky Maynard's high, lunging challenge on Chris Gunter – after only eight seconds – was retribution for controversial scenes last time the two sides met at the City Ground, when Forest failed to return possession after City had put the ball out of play to allow an injured player to receive treatment.

"I don't think he had that in mind. If we had it would not have been Nicky Maynard who had kicked him, it would have been somebody bigger," he said.

"It was a really hard-fought game, but I don't think there was a stupid challenge where anyone was trying to hurt anyone else.

"We came here to avenge a defeat, not to gain revenge for anything else.

"It was important that we came here and didn't get beaten, because they have got their act together this season and Billy has them playing well.

"At this level you have to be hard to beat, not just a good team. If you are an open side you will be mid-table because you will lose as many as you win."