Bristol City’s season has started on a disappointing note. Despite a promising end to last season, where they finished 11th and lost only one of their last ten games, the optimism around Ashton Gate has not yet translated into results this season.
Following a strong summer transfer window with new additions like Luke McNally, Marcus McGuane, George Earthy, Scott Twine, Fally Mayulu, Sinclair Armstrong, and Yu Hirakawa, expectations were high. However, the team has struggled, picking up only five points from their first three games.
The latest setback was a 3-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, where goals from Lewis Travis and a brace from Yuki Ohashi secured victory for the hosts. Liam Manning described the result as a “hugely disappointing” performance, far below the expected standard. Currently, Bristol City is 17th in the table, just two points clear of the relegation zone.
| Championship table (as it stands 16th September) | ||||
| Team | P | GD | Pts | |
| 17 | Bristol City | 5 | -5 | 5 |
| 18 | Millwall | 5 | 0 | 4 |
| 19 | Luton Town | 5 | -4 | 4 |
| 20 | Sheffield Wednesday | 5 | -5 | 4 |
| 21 | Preston North End | 5 | -6 | 4 |
| 22 | Hull City | 5 | -4 | 3 |
| 23 | Portsmouth | 5 | -5 | 3 |
| 24 | Cardiff City | 5 | -10 | 1 |
Bristol City fan pundit on Liam Manning’s future
Tom Sandy, a Bristol City fan pundit for FLW, believes that while Liam Manning’s position as manager isn’t immediately under threat, there is significant pressure on him to quickly turn things around.
Sandy notes that back-to-back 3-0 defeats are particularly concerning, especially since they occurred around the international break, which provided extra time to address issues. He expressed frustration over the lack of improvement from the Derby defeat to the Blackburn game, highlighting a persistent problem with defensive fragility and missed chances.
Sandy acknowledges that Manning is not currently facing direct pressure from club higher-ups like the Lansdowns or Brian Tinnion, but emphasizes the need for immediate tactical adjustments. He criticizes the continued use of the same system and positioning, particularly concerning Scott Twine, who many fans feel should be utilized differently.
While Sandy doesn’t foresee Manning being sacked imminently, he suggests that changes, possibly a shift to a back three, could be necessary. He also points out the impact of Rob Dickie’s injury on the team’s defensive performance, noting a stark contrast between the start of the season and the current situation.
Liam Manning deserves more time at Bristol City
It’s clear that Bristol City’s start to the season has been disappointing, with consecutive 3-0 defeats raising alarm bells. Losing to Derby and Blackburn, teams City would expect to compete with, adds to the concern, highlighting the urgent need for improvements in defense, as Tom Sandy pointed out.
Despite these issues, it’s important to remember that the season is still in its early stages and the Championship table is far from settled. The Robins’ board is unlikely to make any hasty decisions regarding Liam Manning’s future at this point.
Manning, having been supported in the transfer market this summer, understands the pressure to deliver results. While patience from the City hierarchy may not be indefinite, his position should remain secure for the time being as the team works to address its current challenges.
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