The Local Lowdown: Bristol City

Currently sitting in 13th, Bristol City haven’t strayed too far from mid-table all season. How would you sum up the campaign to date?

It’s been frustrating in many ways – but this being the Championship, City are still six points off the play-offs, and like so many other clubs could surprise people with a late run. Overall, however, building on good results has been the main issue.

We’ve won back-to-back games only once all season, and even after winning three on the bounce over Christmas had to wait until this weekend to finally see another three points. That has at least been tempered by the distraction of an FA Cup run, and we were unlucky to bow out to Nottingham Forest on penalties last week.

Replacing Alex Scott was always going to be difficult and there’s been a lack of creativity. We’ve conceded the same number of goals as Southampton this season, but scored 25 fewer. That sums things up.

Scott Twine came in during January but has missed the last couple of weeks with injury – having him back would be a big boost on Tuesday night, but even without him we were industrious at Middlesbrough at the weekend and came away with the win.

Nigel Pearson took 21 points from his 15 league games in charge this season, while Liam Manning has come in and taken 20 from 16. Results haven’t changed much, but does the team look different?

It’s looked different at times, but Manning is still searching for the winning formula and given he’s only made one new addition who has played any game time, it’s not his team yet. We switched to a back three during January which was enough to beat West Ham but couldn’t get us a win in the league, and we’re back to a 4-2-3-1 now which I imagine will be his favoured style.

We’re certainly keener to play on the front foot, but that’s trickier for Manning given the squad was built on counter-attacking football for a long period.

Having Joe Williams fully fit, for the first time since we signed him over three years ago, has been a big help in recent weeks. He’s got a great engine on him and enjoys a tackle, he’s the kind of proper holding midfielder who we’ve enviously eyed in successful Championship teams for a long time.

Bristol City knocked out West Ham after a replay at Ashton Gate in the Emirates FA Cup third round

Four of City’s last nine games have been FA Cup ties against Premier League sides West Ham and Nottingham Forest (both rounds went to a replay). Did those games bring out the best in the team?

Definitely. When previewing our original West Ham tie, I was taken aback to realise we had only beaten one Premier League side (and that was Huddersfield, who were relegated that season) in the FA Cup since we won at Liverpool in 1994 – which remains one of our most famous results.

The fight as much as the quality we showed against them in the replay was something everyone loved, and we showed what we can do when we’re really focused at the City Ground last week, given Forest look a better team since Nuno Espirito Santo came in.

Of course, it’s difficult for Manning to make the bread and butter of the league like a cup final every week, but it shows what we’ve got to aim for.

The last home game was a 1-0 defeat to Leeds. How did City fare against one of Saints’ promotion rivals that night?

Not well. We had one shot on target and struggled to deal with them all night – the scoreline flattered us. But they are a class team, with Premier League quality throughout, much like Saints. The fact a current Italy international in Wilfried Gnonto scored the winner says it all.

City were narrowly beaten by Leeds in their last home game

Which players have come to the fore under Manning’s reign, and who should Saints keep an eye on?

As mentioned, Williams has timed his return to fitness well and has helped us get a foot on the ball in midfield a lot better. He was on the bench at Middlesbrough on Saturday, but that may have been to manage his minutes after he started at Forest in midweek, so he could well return.

Jason Knight has been good for us all season but has come into his own in recent weeks. He scored at Forest and at Middlesbrough.

Rob Dickie has got back to his best ever since we signed him from QPR in the summer, and he’s continued that under Manning. He made the opener at the Riverside on Saturday with a lovely run into midfield and his wand of a left foot, so he’s one who may cause problems if he’s not picked up.

With Saints backed by a bumper away following, what sort of atmosphere should the travelling fans expect, and how has Ashton Gate changed since our last visit in 2011?

It depends on how we start out! When Ashton Gate gets rocking, as it did against West Ham, it’s a tough place for opposition sides especially considering we can now fit nearly 30,000 in. But we haven’t won at home in the league since December 22nd, so it’s been a little quieter than hoped recently.

You’d barely think it was the same stadium since 2011 – though the one stand which hasn’t changed is the away end! That aside, there’s two new stands and the Dolman (to your left) has been largely redesigned too. It’s got that unique mix of both feeling like a modern stadium with the character of an old-school one, which is quite hard to find.

How do you see the game going?

I think after our last two results we’re going to have a bit of momentum behind us, especially against sides like Forest and Boro. We are dangerous in both the press and on the break now, which against a team like Southampton could serve us well. I wouldn’t be so bold as to think we’ll be the ones to end the unbeaten run though – so I’ll stick with a 1-1 draw.

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