Bristol City has had a disappointing start to their Championship season.
After finishing 11th last season, which was marked by inconsistency, the team ended on a positive note with only two defeats in their last ten matches, giving supporters hope as they approached the summer.
The optimism grew further following a busy transfer window that brought in seven new players. However, the season has not begun as the Robins’ fans had hoped.
Following a 1-1 draw against bottom-placed Cardiff City at Ashton Gate on Sunday, Liam Manning’s team enters the international break sitting 16th in the table, just four points clear of the relegation zone.
| Championship table (as it stands 10th October) | ||||
| Team | P | GD | Pts | |
| 16 | Bristol City | 9 | -4 | 11 |
| 17 | Stoke City | 9 | -2 | 10 |
| 18 | Millwall | 9 | 1 | 9 |
| 19 | Preston North End | 9 | -5 | 9 |
| 20 | Coventry City | 9 | -3 | 8 |
| 21 | Luton Town | 9 | -7 | 8 |
| 22 | QPR | 9 | -7 | 7 |
| 23 | Portsmouth | 9 | -11 | 5 |
| 24 | Cardiff City | 9 | -14 | 5 |
While Manning’s position is not under any immediate threat, he has come in for criticism at times this season, and with a tough fixture list to come over the next few months, it could get worse before it gets better for the 38-year-old.
Liam Manning could be set for increased Bristol City pressure
The Robins have drawn their last three matches. While earning a point away at Swansea City was a decent result, they must feel frustrated about not securing wins against Sheffield Wednesday and Cardiff City, especially since both teams were below them in the standings before kickoff.
In fact, the Bluebirds nearly left Ashton Gate with all three points, and City only managed to get back into the game after a couple of defensive substitutions from the visitors in the second half, which disrupted their attacking flow.
Of the teams Bristol City has faced so far, the highest-ranked opponent is eighth-placed Blackburn, and only four of their nine opponents are currently in the top half of the table.
This presents a concerning situation for Manning, as tougher matches lie ahead. Over the next two months, his side will encounter promotion contenders such as Middlesbrough, Leeds United, Sheffield United, Norwich City, Burnley, Watford, and Sunderland.
Given the evidence from the early season, it’s hard to imagine City securing many victories in that stretch, and if results unfold as many expect, Manning could soon find himself under considerable pressure.
Liam Manning must deliver after Bristol City spending
While Bristol City’s squad may not boast the same quality as some of the top teams in the division, Manning received solid backing in the summer transfer window with several high-profile signings, including Luke McNally (around £1.75 million), Scott Twine (£3.2 million plus add-ons), Fally Mayulu (£2.5 million), and Sinclair Armstrong (just under £2 million).
To be fair to Manning, the departure of star striker Tommy Conway to Middlesbrough was a significant loss. However, with the club’s increased spending, expectations have risen, and after several seasons of mid-table finishes, many City fans hoped this would finally be the year they mounted a serious promotion challenge.
It’s still early in the season, and while Bristol City sits just four points above the relegation zone, they are only five points away from the play-off places in a league that is shaping up to be more competitive than ever.
The issue for Manning, though, is that City doesn’t currently appear to be a team capable of bridging the gap to the top six. With a tough run of games ahead, they may soon find themselves looking nervously at the teams below them.
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