Two goals from Tammy Abraham and one from Jamie Paterson saw Bristol into a three goal lead inside an hour at Ashton Gate.
Substitute, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson scored with 12 minutes remaining but it proved only a consolation for the visiting side.
Bodvarsson says that the team know that they weren’t at their best and that it is up to them to put it right in the next game.
“We all know that we under-performed as a team,” he said.
“I don't know what it was - we wanted to keep the same rhythm going but unfortunately we couldn't keep it up.
“I thought that every 50/50 challenge didn't go our way - we were just always that millisecond away.
“Ultimately, I think that Bristol City deserved the win - we need to learn from this game and come back stronger in the next home game.
“We’re not far from comfortable and it’s a dangerous thing to be comfortable.
“We’ve just won five games in a row so to lose here is a huge wake-up call for the team.
“We have to perform every single game and have that winning attitude in every single game.
“We know our strengths and we know that we’re a much better team than what we showed on Saturday.
“We take that lesson and come back stronger for a tough game next week against Brighton.”
Bodvarsson scored his third goal of the season at Ashton Gate, his first since August.
The Icelandic international says it was a huge relief to score again and he now hopes that he can add more to his tally.
“It’s been tough in front of goal for me over the last couple of months.
“The thing is with strikers, when you aren't scoring, it’s dangerous because it can affect your confidence.
“That’s been my main goal, not to let it affect my confidence and keep on doing all of the other aspects right.
“It’s a huge boost for me - adversity makes you stronger.
“I try not to use any excuses, I’m my own competitor. I got a bit of luck with my goal and sometimes you need that.
“To score those chances, you've got to be in the right place at the right time as well - I did that and this is now something to build up from.”
10th April 2017
Jon Dadi Bodvarsson says that Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Bristol City is a wake-up call for the team.