Bristol City looking to perform miracle in play-off second leg

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Daniel Wales and Charles Hague-Jones preview Bristol City’s play-off semi final second leg away at Sheffield United.

Transcript

00:00Bristol City face a daunting task at Bramall Lane, trailing 3-0 to Sheffield United after a shocking first leg at Ashton Gate.

00:08A controversial red card to Rob Dickey just before half-time completely shifted the momentum and the Blades capitalised.

00:16Goals from Harrison Burrows, Andre Brooks and Callum O'Hare have left the Robins with a mountain to climb.

00:24But manager Liam Manning remains defiant. He's emphasised belief, character and resilience all week.

00:32Despite the uphill battle, he's reminded his players and fans that comebacks happen.

00:38They've happened before and it all takes his one goal to change the tone of the night.

00:45Still the odds are firmly against them. Statistical models give City just a 1.7% chance of turning this tie around.

00:53And they'll have to do it without key men Rob Dickey, who's suspended, while influential midfielder Joe Williams is out with a knock.

01:03As for Sheffield United, they're determined not to slip. Their own playoff history is filled with frustration.

01:09But they've been composed and clinical so far and they'll look to see the job through.

01:14For Bristol City, it's about the start. An early goal could ignite belief and force the Blades into uncomfortable territory.

01:24It's a huge task, but football is built on moments like this.

01:29Can the Robins script a historic comeback?

01:32Our Bristol correspondent Daniel Wales has the full rundown.

01:35Well, it's certainly an uphill battle, Charles, and I'd be lying if I said it was easy or would be easy for Bristol City

01:43because they are in a very poor situation following the first leg at Ashton Gates.

01:483-0 down to Sheffield United, having of course lost Rob Dickey to that red card.

01:53It couldn't really have gone much worse for them.

01:56And that's such a shame after they'd worked so hard to be in this position at the end of the season.

02:00But that is the situation that they do find themselves in.

02:03Now it's a case of doing whatever they can to get themselves into a level position.

02:09Not, as I said, going to be easy at all.

02:11Going away to Bramon Lane against the Sheffield United side,

02:14who certainly have or have had a good home record for the most part of this season.

02:20Bristol City, it's very much a case of having to score probably quite early in the game.

02:26Not maybe so early, but very early indeed.

02:30And then building from there.

02:32But of course, they can't then afford to concede at all.

02:34They can't have any lapses in concentration at the back.

02:37They just need to be on it constantly and see where the tie takes.

02:40And if they can get one early, they do put themselves and they do give themselves a chance of getting back into it.

02:47So let's hear now from Bristol City head coach Liam Manning,

02:50who has previewed the tie at Bramon Lane

02:51and answered whether his side are able to get themselves back into the game

02:57and possibly force extra time and even penalties in Sheffield.

03:01And that's the bit, there's no expectation or pressure on us.

03:09Nobody expects us to get anything from tomorrow night.

03:10So for me, it's can you look at yourself in the mirror and know you gave everything.

03:14I think that's the biggest bit of your behaviours, how you go about it,

03:17the fight you show, the passion, that has to be built into you.

03:21And knowing this group and showing it, how long ago was Preston?

03:26However long ago, that was it.

03:27We know we're 2-0 down with so much to play for.

03:31And we've got it back to 2-2, which we have to use as experiences and that belief.

03:35And going to it, it's half time, they scored three in a leg.

03:37Why can't we?

03:37You have to be a little bit mindful of that,

03:39especially when you're looking at the players they've got injured,

03:42you then look at their bench and their starting line-up.

03:44Such a strong, strong squad.

03:47You see the other night, the threats they carry.

03:49We have loads of control and within two seconds they're in on goal and with a clear shot.

03:53So, of course, it takes two seconds to score a goal.

03:56I think that's the important bit and it doesn't have to be in the first five minutes.

04:00Of course, as the game goes on, the clock ticks, the earlier the better.

04:05But at the same point, what you don't want to do is then go and concede.

04:07So, of course, there's finding a fine balance between trying to score,

04:13trying to create, being a bit more aggressive and purposeful in attack.

04:17At the same point, not leaving ourselves vulnerable and open

04:19because they're so dangerous on counters.

04:20Well, according to Liam Manning, the pressure and the expectation is off Bristol City

04:25given that they are going into this game 3-0 down away at Sheffield United.

04:30But football is, as they say, a funny old game.

04:33So, could this be the chance that Bristol City needs to end many years of hurt at the club

04:39and give themselves a chance of getting into the playoff final?

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