By Geoff Twentyman BBC Bristol

Striker Peter Styvar joined Bristol City in January from MSK Zilina

It's a two word answer: Peter Styvar.

As City supporters struggle to digest my theory and wonder if I have lost the plot, let me explain.

Competition for places is every manager's most potent tool. Manchester United's domination of English football has been built on two foundations.

Firstly, they have excellent players. Secondly, just about all of the team could be replaced from within the highly talented squad.

It's fine being paid vast sums of money but essentially any professional worth his salt hates being sat in the stands at three o'clock on a Saturday afternoon. Playing is the name of the game.

Peter Styvar's arrival in early January meant Dele Adebola dropped down the pecking order at Ashton Gate. Nicky Maynard and Stern John were also ahead of Adebola.

I firmly believe half-time in the home game with Wolves on 17 January was pivotal. City trailed 2-0, Adebola came off the bench to replace Styvar who was struggling to make an impression. The rest is uplifting history.

Adebola, also buoyed by interest from Nottingham Forest, has certainly upped his game. Against Wolves he played like a man possessed. He looked like a man on a mission, an individual with a point to prove.

The ''Big Fella'' was unstoppable as he made one and scored the other one in a game that finished 2-2.

606: DEBATE Is Dele our most improved player? Trundlesspace

Styvar needs time to adjust to the English game and I am sure his time will come. His very presence has had a huge affect. Indirectly the Slovakian has played a huge part in City's elevation into the play-off zone.

Gary Johnson must have a wry smile. He signed Styvar to kick start City's season. In a round about way it's having the desired affect. Job done.

Bristol Rovers are also reaping the rewards from a similar scenario. Where competition for places is also very evident.

I touched on it last week when I wrote about Darryl Duffy who seized his opportunity when Rickie Lambert was injured.

Lambert, Duffy and Jo Kuffour are all in good form. They all offer different options as individuals and pairings.

They are all desperate to start, but up to now head coach Paul Trollope has resisted the temptation to start with all three. That could be fun.

Geoff presents the Twentyman Talks Back football phone-in at 1900 GMT on Fridays on BBC Radio Bristol and BBC Radio Somerset. If you missed the latest programme, listen to it now.

I have been a massive Bristol City fan ever since my dad took me to Ashton Gate in 1974 and have followed all their ups and downs since then. I wholeheartedly agree with everything you've said here Geoff,but for me the real hero and grand-master is Gary Johnson. No wonder he's so revered at the club and a terrific bloke as well.I've listened to everything he's said on Bristol City World and he's spot on everytime with his assessments. But it's his fantastic ability to tap into each player's potential and extract the maximum (by whatever means) out of the playing group that will see him stay at the club for many years to come.You can see he just loves this club. I very much look forward to seeing my beloved Bristol City when I'm over there in 2010. Go you mighty Robins!
Steve Heal, Adelaide,South Australia

Great write up Geoff, City certainly are on the up and lets hope a few more decent results come our way. Mark 20men is also the man!
Billy Herlihy, Yate

I'm an expat teen living in Vietnam presently, I've inhabited at least 4 or 5 different places before moving to South East Asia. I am a strong Bristol City supporter as well as Man United (my other half). It's fantastic to see us doing so well come the end of the season. Considering the fact the two teams bellow us still have games in hand I can see City dropping down to 8th. However, hopefully we'll be right back up there! Come on City!
Matt Norley, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Adebola was an inspired signing. Gary Johnson has a knack of finding players who can be motivated. At the risk of getting a lot of grief from fellow City fans I'd like to see Rovers in the Championship again too. Seems to me both clubs have good managers now who like to play football properly and I miss those derby matches.
Matt, Bristol

I think two words should probably be Gary Johnson. Dele Adebola's recent form has been terrific, but it was Gary's decision to leave him out the side and then bring him back. And it's not the first time he's worked magic like this - how about some of his inspired substitutions in other games ? We've seen him bring on players like Sproule, Williams and even Vasko to win games in the past. The man is simply a genius.
Andy, Shrewsbury

What's up with all the Yanks supporting Bristol City. As my wife is from Bristol, I have followed City for years and would be amazed if they made the premiership. I would actually consider moving to England for a year to attend home games! Go City.
V Ames, Minnesota

I was at the most recent game against Reading where I saw perhaps the best City performance for many years (that I've seen anyway). I have to agree with the comments about Adebola - he was immense, and I am bound to suggest that had he been playing we would not have lost against Doncaster earlier in the week. I think the answer, although cliched, is as simple as wins breeding confidence. It feeds on itself. Perhaps that increased confidence also stems from the fact that the January transfer window has come and gone - the assumption is that players will up their game during this period as they are in the shop window, but isn't the reverse also true - that players are nervous because they think they may be replaced?! The fact that Johnson did not make many changes to the squad during January sent a message out to the players that he believes in them, and ... confidence increases.
Richard, New York, USA

Gary Johnson just keeps proving that a good "TEAM" full of hardworking/honest players will out perform a "bunch" of superstars. Under his leadership we have a fantastic chance of going up.
Gary, Vermont, USA

I have been following city since 1955 a bit of John Ateyo, then the Connor Parr and Lowes up to the John Galley years, and up to present, so we have had some good and better squads than to days team, but I believe this squad is the more prepared and together than any we have had before, and that is down to the manager and his staff. My only worry is if we did get promotion not to fall into the trap like last time, but I don't think the manager would let that happen.
Mike, Bristol

Whatever point Dele had to prove against Wolves did the trick, along with City's 4-2 win at Watford, definitely turned the season around for us. City now believe they can score goals and are playing with extreme confidence. I watched the Wolves game on TV in New York with rest of the BCFCNYC boys, the come back left us singing long after the game was over. Before that game we were starting to look over our shoulders at the teams below us, now promotion is in our sights (again), I'm sure there will be a couple of setbacks but if GJ keeps the team focused and confident there is no stopping us.
Steve, New York, USA

Awesome comments guys. I was born in Bristol but moved up north when i was 5. I've supported Bristol City for many seasons and i'm gutted i cant watch many games as other people. I would go every week if poss. I have to wait until they come up north like Sheffield or Barnsley until i can watch them and even then its hard for me to go. However from scorelines and match reports i see it looks like they are improving every game and every season. To be honest Gary Johnson is the best manager we have had (no offense to other managers) plus the chairman is awesome as well they both stick together and work as a team which helps us get results and become a great team.

If we get promoted i don't want to see us spending all the money on players i think we should use some and invest the rest in case we go back down or whatever but also i couldn't care less if we went up n down next season just b glad we got to prem (I'm sure with GJ around we will stay up though :P ) GO ROBINS
Matt, W Yorks

Good point Geoff. I tend to side with a few other factors as well though. Firstly the point someone else makes about Scott Murray is a very valid one, he is a magnificent member of the squad to have around, even when not playing. Since his return from his loan spell at Cheltenham I think we have lost just 1 or 2 games. Secondly I have been on your talk in show on the radio on several occasions and have brought up on numerous occasions about how we were failing to create chances, which was the main worry for me and a lot of supporters. In the last 10-12 matches, Ivan Sproule has been transformed, McIndoe has been dropped for the 4-3-3 at times and has come back rejuvenated. Confidence breeds success and if the boys can just hang in there for the next 4-5 games, which include tough trips to Birmingham and Derby, we could really be in with a shout of the play offs at least.
Matt, Bristol

Whilst the whole squad, management, backroom staff, supporters and the club as a whole deserves a lot of credit, i really don't think we can empathise just how important Dele Adebola has been to us. I really do believe that in the fine margin that the Championship is, he is the difference we are in the top six instead of the bottom six. Look at our run when he was out of the side before Christmas and that says enough. Credit must also go to other players such as Cole Skuse and Ivan Sproule who have stood up to be counted in difficult times and have now established themelves as important members of the team not just the squad. On top of that Lee Johnson, Michael McIndoe and Gavin Williams have done likewise after a tough first half of the season for them. Lets hope they keep it going.
Daniel, Bristol

I agree with your comments, however in addition to what you have said, Gary also dropped McIndoe and he was a regular last term who had his place guaranteed. When he was dropped he too has picked up his performance in recent games. By dropping McIndoe, we are now seeing a bit more from Ivan Drago....I mean Ivan Sproule, Someone who was awful until recent games. A run in the team has given him confidence and now he is challenging McIndoe which is great for the team. City will finish in the play offs this year. Whether we go up is another matter.
Nige, Bristol

I don't think it is down purely to Styvar or Adebola. We have had the likes of Mcindoe and Skuse playing very well. For me its just the side gelling together that has helped them.
Michael, Taunton

Spot on Geoff! City have been on the rise since that amazing second half performance, and we've played every game since as though it's been a cup final. I really hope we make the run last until the end of the season, and make the play off's, but then, with the current form of the top 3, would an automatic plcec be out of the question?
Darren, Bristol

That's a very good analysis actually, good read. We did OK without Elliot too, Skuse and Williams have stepped up to the plate in his absence and owned the midfield recently. The team has a nice balance about it. I'm a happy City fan.
Joel McWilliams

I agree with Geoff in his comments regarding Dele and Peter Styvar, however I think the return of Scott Murray has also been huge. Whilst Scott can claim some limited influence in terms of competition for places it is his influence around the club that is the real factor. Always up and always City, Scott is a true supporter, his recent influence to those around him at City can be traced back to the day he returned from Cheltenham which almost exactly coincides with this run.
David Hayward, Chicago, Illinois

I am a Bristolian born and bred and have been following the Robins since I left the UK in 1976. We normally see City do well one season and Rovers do well the next the stability over the difficult seasons have made City one of the most respected teams in the championship. Gary Johnson should have been born in Bristol with that never give up attitude, he has also given players more than one chance on several occasions which has helped the team. The manager calls the shots so how good have City gone this year? Besides a very good season last year? If City get promoted to the premier I hope they consolidate a better stack of good players for that tuff ride City always great work Gary Johnson.
Mick Cox, Brisbane, Australia

I think you have hit the nail right on the head with your comments on Bristol City's change in fortunes. After the 2-2 draw with Wolves it was like a massive win and City showed the spirit of two seasons ago when winning promotion. I said to my Uncle, 'I think we could make the play offs'. He just laughed. Dele Adebola has been showing immense strength in holding up the ball, bringing the rest of the team into the game and has become a pivotal member of our team. I just hope we can keep this run going to the end of the season and stay injury free. We have some very tough games to come!
Paul Hudd

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