The head coach is big on his 'identity' and has referenced his team being 'busy bees' when they take to the field.
It's nothing to do with the flying insect but all to do with having a front-foot team who press high up the pitch and take the game to the opposition.
Unless you're Manchester City, Liverpool or Barcelona it's difficult to do that every single game and plenty try to and don't get there.
To that end, Lee Johnson may be particularly pleased with how his team pressed against Fulham at the weekend. The Robins attempted more tackles in the opposition half than they had for four games - and only two other matches in 2020 have seen more tackles attempted in the attacking half of the pitch than against the Cottagers.
Arguably that will please the head coach more than anything because it will signal a possible return to form - and that 'busy' identity that Bristol City supporters have seen precious little of in recent weeks.
Although one common denominator in two of four games where the most tackles were attempted in the opposition half - and Saturday's game was one - was that Famara Diedhiou did not start the game.
That is not to say that the Senegalese powerhouse striker does not have his role to play. Just that every player has their attributes and if City want to press from the front more, then having both Andi Weimann and Nahki Wells in attack offers more mobility.
Tackles made in the opposition half/Tackles attempted in the opp half in 2020:
- 4/9 Fulham, H
- 3/5 Millwall, A
- 4/6 Huddersfield Town, A
- 5/6 West Brom, H
- 5/10 Leeds United, A
- 3/8 Derby County, H
- 6/10 Birmingham City, H
- 2/4 QPR, A
- 4/8 Reading, A
- 3/5 Barnsley, H
- 2/9 Wigan, A
- 3/6 Brentford, H
Of course, the return of Benik Afobe could alter things and offer the perfect combination of pace, power, pressing ability and finishing that may make a difference for the Robins.
Arguably Diedhiou has been one of City's successes this season, but is the 27-year-old with three goals in his last eight games better deployed from the bench as a late physical option in games?
Diedhiou ranks 15th in the league for aerial duels won per 90 minutes. He has 10 goals for the season but is on to beat the 13 he has scored in each of the two league campaigns.
But Wells offers more tackles per 90 and Weimann more interceptions, scooping up loose balls in the middle of the pitch.
Lee Johnson will have to think carefully on if it is better to lose Diedhiou's aerial abilitiies - particularly defending set-pieces - for more steel in the middle of the pitch this weekend.
At the home of Jack Walker where Saturday's hosts once captured the Premier League crown, the Robins will need to show their mettle - and their front line may play a big part in that.
