By Louis Parry-Garnaud, Russian and Spanish, Second Year
Building on a fourth win in five games at Ashton Gate, Bristol City’s impressive home form has them firmly in the hunt for a play-off spot as the Championship season enters its crucial second half.
Bristol’s 1-0 victory against Derby meant that the hosts moved up to eighth in the table, only three points behind the all-important play-off places, and with 20 games remaining, the Robins will be hoping to continue their winning streak as they look to finish in the top six for the first time since 2008.
Manning’s Men on a Mission
Liam Manning’s first full season in charge has so far been one characterised by a lack of consistency, individual errors which have cost the team vital points, and up until the busy festive period it was looking as though City were heading for yet another mid table finish, with the squad lacking in that bit of quality which is needed to compete in such a demanding division. However, the young English coach has been able to call upon some of his star players over the past month, with a core group of the team truly stepping up in recent games.
A major factor behind the team’s sharp upturn in form is fan-favourite Anis Mehmeti, who’s rich goalscoring run has been crucial to their recent success. With five goals in his last eight starts, the Albanian winger is City’s top scorer this season and has produced moments of magic throughout the campaign, especially at home, scoring a brace against both Plymouth and Portsmouth. The tricky left winger, who can sometimes frustrate the Red and White Army of Ashton Gate, due to his past tendency to have one impressive game followed by one below par, will play a key part in Bristol’s promotion push. There is no doubt that he can be Bristol’s star player and if he can continue being clinical in front of goal then the Robins stand a very strong chance of reaching the top six.
In City’s 1-0 victory over Derby, the goal came from an unlikely source as left sided centre-back, Luke McNally volleyed home to the delight of the supporters at Ashton Gate. A summer signing from Burnley, McNally has been Bristol’s most consistent performer this season and has started every game since his move. The combative defender, who was described as a player with ‘all the attributes you want in a defender’ by head coach Manning, upon his arrival, settled into life in the West country with ease and has been a stonewall in the heart of the Bristol defence which have kept three clean sheets in their last three home matches.
Manning’s midfield pairing of Jason Knight and Max Bird have also been highly influential over the course of the season. Having both contributed with 5 assists each over the first half of the campaign, the duo has been the heartbeat of the City side. With an 80% pass accuracy and the pair creating a total of over 3 chances per game, the Bristol midfielders are extremely important to the side and will need to continue in this fashion, should City stand any chance of being promoted to the Premier League.
Striker Struggles
As Bristol City enter the January transfer window in a position which looked unlikely not that long ago, the opportunity to bolster the squad and add some firepower to ensure the best possible chance of finishing in the top six has presented itself. One of the club’s biggest problems has been the lack of consistent goals from their strikers. Although the side are lucky to have a mixture of both exciting youth and Championship experience amongst their frontline players, with Nahki Wells, Sinclair Armstrong and Fally Mayulu all competing to lead the line for Manning’s outfit, none of the forwards have truly found any form this season, although Wells’ overall play has been positive. With only ten goals between them, City should be looking to add a proven goal scorer to the side this window, if their ambition is genuine.
Fortress Ashton Gate
Bristol City’s home ground has become ‘a tough place to come’, according to manager Manning, with his side only losing on two occasions at Ashton Gate this season against promotion favourites Burnley and Sheffield United. Getting promoted from the Championship is one of the toughest feats for any team, no matter their quality, and in Bristol’s long history it is something which they have not yet been able to achieve. A strong home record is vitally important for any club that wants to make the leap, and if Bristol can continue their resurgence and keep up their almost perfect home form then there is no reason for them not to make the playoffs come May!
Be sure to get down to Ashton Gate to support and be a part of Liam Manning’s Cider Army as they embark on an important few months of Championship football!
Featured image: Louis Parry-Garnaud
