Bristol City boss wary of threat posed by Preston North End despite Lilywhites' slow start to season

The Lilywhites head to the West Country looking to extend a six-game unbeaten run.

But after going so close to the play-offs last term that has only been good enough to lift Alex Neil’s side out of the bottom three on goal difference.

Their hosts on the other hand are 12th and just four points shy of the play-off places.

“Last year they finished seventh and lost Jordan Hugill who was probably a big loss for them and any team who loses key players is going to take time to adjust,” said Johnson.

“That's why it's an important game.

“For us to push points between us and them at this stage, being a good side that they are, would be very big for us.

“They have quality. They recruit well, pretty much British players capable of playing in the Championship.

“They know their market and they've done well.”

Johnson will be hoping his side can end a 10-game winless run against PNE but is keen not to dwell on it.

“As far as I'm concerned this is a new day and a new game,” he told Bristol Live.

“You don't go into the game thinking well this is our bogey side.

“You go into the game evaluating the opposition's strengths and weaknesses and doing your best to impose your strengths on their weaknesses and doing your best to nullify their threats.”