Liam Manning expressed frustration over Bristol City’s missed opportunities as they were held to a draw against Cardiff City at Ashton Gate.
The Robins squandered several chances to take the lead in the first half and were punished nine minutes into the second half by Ollie Tanner’s stunning goal. However, City equalized in the 73rd minute when Luke McNally found the back of the net in a heated Severnside derby.
Boos echoed around Ashton Gate at full-time, with Manning’s team managing only a point against bottom-placed Cardiff. The Bristol City manager regretted his side’s inability to capitalize on their chances.
Reflecting on the game, Manning said, “We started well with real purpose and intensity, pushing them onto the back foot. Sincs (Sinclair Armstrong) had a good chance when Twiney set him up down the right.”
He continued, “It’s frustrating, especially how we started the second half. We were a bit passive, and they scored, but we showed resilience to get back into it. When the game is level and we’re on top, we need to take the lead. We’ve got to turn that control into goals to relieve some pressure. That’s been a theme this season.”
McNally’s 73rd-minute header marked his first goal for Bristol City since joining from Burnley for £1.75 million on transfer deadline day.
Although Manning believes centre-backs should contribute more goals, he emphasized that the entire team must be more clinical in front of goal.
“As a defensive partnership, centre-halves should aim for around eight goals. But across the team, we need to improve our finishing. It’s the eighth game in nine where we’ve had at least 15 shots. We’re creating chances but not converting enough.”
He also noted key chances, adding, “The keeper made a save from Sincs, Sykey (Mark Sykes) had a good header, Fally (Mayulu) had a chance on the left, and Zak (Vyner) put one wide. We’re getting into good positions, but we need to create clearer opportunities or make the opposition work harder to stop us. I’m confident it’ll turn around given our performance level over the last nine games.”
He concluded, “The frustration is that we’ve only lost two games in nine, but we’ve drawn too many. We need to start turning those draws into wins.”
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