Steve Davis praise for the job Steve Cotterill has done at Ashton Gate in just over a year.

Steve Davis says that his counterpart at Bristol City, Steve Cotterill, has done a fantastic job in transforming the club during the 12 months he has been there. Cotterill succeeded Sean O’Driscoll in December 2013 with the club perilously close to the bottom places in League One, but his diligent work resulted in the Robins finishing comfortably in mid-table.

The West Country club have worked hard on their recruitment policy in the summer and the Alex boss believes that the current league leaders are the side to beat this season.

Ahead of this weekend’s meeting at Gresty Road, Steve told the club’s official web-site: “Steve Cotterill came in last season with the club struggling at the wrong end of the table but he turned it around fairly quickly.

“Now he is doing a job to try and get Bristol City out of the division. There were signs of their resurgence last season and many people felt they would do well after the business they did in the summer. His investment in good players looks to be paying off and they have been the team to beat this season. They have set the standard and will be looking to cement that top spot or the automatic promotion place.

“It will be Steve’s aim to take them to the next level and he has assembled a good squad. He has enough quality to change it and we know it will be a tough game, but one we are relishing at home.”