Manager surprised by City's demise
Lee Johnson will be looking for Latics to pile on the misery for bottom-of-the-table Bristol City as he returns to his former club.Latics' manager (pictured) admitted he is puzzled to see City bottom of Sky Bet League 1.
He explained: "City have a massive budget for a club at our level and a lot of Championship quality players.
"It will be a tough game, but obviously they have weaknesses which is where they are in the division, just like Notts County are."
Yet last Saturday's 4-2 win at Carlisle was, incredibly, City's first win in 22 first-team matches.
It is surprising when you look at the quality of the side.
The starting line up at Carlisle included Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Scott Wagstaff and Nicky Shorey while on the bench were the likes of Marlon Harewood, Sam Baldock and Frank Fielding, all players who have appeared at a higher level.
Johnson has a warning for his players declaring: "Bristol City is a lot better side than Notts County.
"They have been unlucky, but they will be buoyed by securing their first win of the season last Saturday."
Johnson spent five-and-a-half years as a player at City helping them come within a whisker of reaching the Premier League - they were beaten in the 2008 Championship play-off final.
And Latics' manager knows what to expect at the West Country club.
He said: "When that place is rocking, Ashton Gate is a hard place to go and men have to stand up and be counted.
"I have seen the other side and, if things aren't going well, it can be a difficult place to play at.
"I want my players to go out at Bristol City and show how much it means to them."