However, this is a selection headache the boss is more than pleased to have.
Bristol City secured the Johnson Cup, also won last summer, after Robins boss Lee got the better of his father Gary in City’s victory at Cheltenham on Tuesday.
Three unanswered second half goals were enough to secure a 3-0 win and the first silverware of the season at Whaddon Road.
Minutes into the second half Gustav Engvall went round Cheltenham goalkeeper Jonathan Flatt to put Bristol City ahead before Bobby Reid netted his eighth goal in six pre-season games a few minutes later.
Looking to stake his claim for involvement at Ashton Gate this season following a loan in Sweden, Engvall didn’t do his chances any harm when he completed his brace, along with the goalscoring, midway through the second half. The forward was on hand to tap in after Callum O’Dowda’s header was kept out.
Bristol City: Lucic, Vyner (Moore 65), Flint, Magnusson, Kelly (Golbourne 65), Brownhill (Paterson 46), Pack (K.Smith 46), Morrell (Hegeler 72), O’Dowda (Trialist 72), Engvall (Hinds 72), Diédhiou (Reid 46).
After the game Johnson joked about winning silverware but wasn’t joking when he told the Official Website he thought Bristol City looked ‘sharp’ and ‘bright’ against a Cheltenham side that posed a challenge, which he feels has left him with genuine selection issues throughout the squad.
‘It`s very important to pick up our first piece of silverware this season! On a serious note, I thought we looked sharp and we looked bright. We didn`t score as we should`ve done in the first half, which was a bit disappointing because we had a couple of chances.’
Adding: ‘They (Cheltenham) are strong and physical, but today we were too sharp. Our sharpness is exactly where I want it to be given where we are in pre-season moving into our last friendly – we`ve got selection issues all over the shop.’
Engvall, 21, justified his inclusion with Johnson pleased to see the Swedish U21 international return from a loan in his homeland fully fit and confident.
‘We scored three good goals and I`m delighted for Gus, who looked sharp over the top. It`s good to have him back fully fit because when we signed him last year he was injured and chasing his fitness. He scored seven in nine in Sweden and he`s come back full of confidence. I`ve got some really difficult decisions to make now coming into the season.’
Johnson was also pleased with the contribution of the younger players involved as it shows they’re also coming through at Ashton Gate.
‘I thought our young players were exceptional. Lloyd Kelly, Zak Vyner and Joe Morrelll were all top drawer. It`s important for our Academy and it was a test for them because Cheltenham are a big side. It was nice to mix them in with a few seniors who could organise and dictate.’
