Haydon Roberts outlines Bristol City dressing room's ambitious Championship prediction

Haydon Roberts believes Bristol City should be pushing for the play-offs this season as the dressing room have their say over the Championship ambitions. And the left-back has identified the quality in City’s squad as a key reason behind his top six prediction.

The Robins recruited seven new faces in the summer transfer window, splashing the cash to bring big names to Ashton Gate. Scott Twine arrived from Burnley for a reported fee of £3.2m plus add-ons along with Clarets teammate Luke McNally, who joined for a price in the region of £1.75m.

Roberts, who started his first league game during City’s 2-1 win against Oxford United last weekend, has outlined the quality within the squad as a key asset to their play-off hopes. And the 22-year-old has made it clear that the Robins would be underachieving if a top six finish isn’t the ambition.

The defender said: “I think we can definitely push for the play-offs. I think we have a great squad, we have depth in all positions and the changing room is top. Everyone gets on well with each other, everyone pushes each other every day and training is just top.

“I think we’re underachieving if we don’t push it (for the play-offs) because everyone can see how good our squad is.”

READ MORE: Liam Manning provides Bristol City injury latest pre-Swansea with trio close to potential returns

READ MORE: Haydon Roberts opens up on ‘tough’ reality of time away from Bristol City starting side

Fally Mayulu made a permanent move from Rapid Vienna for £2.5m as well as Sinclair Armstrong, who City recruited for just under £2m from Championship rivals QPR, while Marcus McGuane linked up with Liam Manning for an undisclosed fee from Oxford United.

George Earthy and Yu Hirakawa joined the five permanent arrivals as they penned season-long loan moves from West Ham and J1 League outfit side Machida Zelvia respectively.

Nonetheless, it’s impressive business from Manning and his recruitment staff as he builds a squad he believes can push for a top six finish for the first time since City finished fourth in the Championship during the 2007-08 campaign.

The Robins currently sit 13th in the table on eight points after registering two wins, two draws and two loses from their opening six games of the season.

Manning’s men make the short trip along the M4 this weekend as they renew their rivals with Swansea City, who sit seventh in the table after their opening six games of the campaign.

READ MORE: Liam Manning not drawn by derby occasion as Bristol City rekindle rivalry with Swansea City

READ MORE: Bristol City handed significant injury boost as trio close in on return to first-team action