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