Bristol City’s promotion push uncovered as Manning reflects on recent draw

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Daniel Wales and Charles Hague-Jones how Bristol City have become a promotion challenger.

Transcript

00:00With Bristol City currently sat in the playoff places, we've looked back to how they managed to turn themselves into promotion contenders.

00:09This season has been, up until the last couple of months, relatively inconsistent.

00:15They've been sort of hovering around the mid-table, had some good wins, but also some really disappointing losses.

00:19Certainly, one of their biggest flaws has been conceding late goals.

00:23And I think if they hadn't conceded so many late goals, they would probably be already in amongst the playoff places.

00:27But, as it stands, they are only a couple of points away from it.

00:32Obviously, at the moment, it's West Brom who occupy that spot.

00:34But they're just a side who've found something in recent weeks, and they've found that consistency.

00:40They've got a lot of good players who are suddenly starting to click and gel amongst each other.

00:44You look at the likes of Anis Bometti, Naki Wells, a veteran striker, George Earthy, Mark Sykes, for example,

00:50all contributing both from the starting XI and from the bench as well.

00:54I think that's quite key for them at the moment.

00:56And it's just a side where they just seem to be getting momentum at the right time of the season.

01:03Because, you know, teams can start really well, but then tail off a little bit.

01:06Some teams can start, you know, in a mediocre fashion, but then grow into it.

01:10We're seeing that with Coventry City right now as well.

01:12And Bristol City are also one of those teams.

01:14Yes, they're not in the playoffs like Coventry are, but there's every chance they could be.

01:20Albeit, they do have a hard-run fixture still to come in the championship.

01:25But they did prove with that draw they got against Sheffield United that they're well able to mix it with some of the big boys in this league

01:31and get results at this stage of the season.

01:33Because that's probably not something they would have done earlier on.

01:36But now all of a sudden they are doing so.

01:38They still have the odd frustrating game, you know, that their home game against Hull City springs to mind.

01:43But they didn't lose as well.

01:44I think the point is, I think for Bristol City a lot now is if you can't win, don't lose.

01:49And that was something they weren't doing before, but it is now.

01:51So it's more a case of they're picking up wins.

01:54And if they're not picking up wins, they're picking up draws, which can still be just as useful in the long run.

01:59So it's a testament to all the players and to Liam Manning and to Chris Hogg as an assistant as well to get them where they are.

02:06But, I mean, just for the most part, they just look like a side who would just sneak in there.

02:12You know, momentum can be a funny thing in football, but I'm not sure what you think, Charles,

02:16but they just seem to be the side going in the right direction at the right time in the season.

02:21Yeah, definitely. I mean, it looks like that.

02:23It looks like they've had a real boost in form.

02:25And as you say, that consistency has just sort of been ironed out.

02:29And they've sort of turned those games to not losing games as much as important as winning them.

02:33And I think the championship is well summed up by that, how much can change.

02:37I mean, you look at Coventry City with Frank Lampard, the way they've sort of rocketed up the table.

02:42In terms of standout players, I mean, Anis Mometti has been unbelievable.

02:46You know, 12 goals as we speak.

02:48What sort of impact has he made on the side?

02:52Well, yeah, the young Albanian, he's just a real key young talent for them.

02:57He's been their driving force this season.

02:59I think, obviously, at times he was battling to get in the squad,

03:01but now he's cemented that place and he's really kicked on.

03:04I think they've got a great set-up at Bristol City where they're still trying to promote youth.

03:09And he's one of those who they've brought in and nurtured.

03:12And he's just showing exactly what he is all about, what he can do.

03:15And, you know, obviously, you know, without him, who knows where they would be.

03:20But he's there and he's doing really well for them.

03:23So, all credit to them.

03:25Yeah, obviously, on Liam Manning, what sort of stands out if you look at his Bristol City side

03:29and the stats that we look at this season?

03:31I mean, goals scored, they are up there, you know, ninth in the league

03:34and it's incredibly tough to score so many goals.

03:37But then also, interestingly, goals conceded, they haven't conceded many at all this season as well.

03:44So, do you feel that's sort of been the balance, finding that balance in terms of attacking

03:48and defensive threat as well, you know, stopping it going in that end

03:52and really trying to make an impact in the attacking phases?

03:55He's sort of really put that stamp on his Bristol City side this season.

04:00He certainly has, yeah.

04:01And I think that's what's been key.

04:02It's the fact that they're not just a basic side in the championship

04:06who are, you know, quite happy just to play a route one long.

04:10But I know there are stereotypes for English managers,

04:12but sometimes they still exist a little bit.

04:14He's sort of, you know, actually got to the principles of football

04:17and how it perhaps should be played

04:18and is perhaps playing in a more contemporary fashion.

04:21Moving back to the present,

04:23Bristol City's latest outing saw them draw 1-1 away at Queen's Park Rangers

04:27with Liam Manning reflecting on the point earned away from home.

04:33Yeah, what a fantastic goal, I have to say.

04:35Credit to the lads.

04:36I thought it was a moment of real quality.

04:38Yeah, really enjoyed the goal.

04:40And then around it, it was a tough game.

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