Liam Manning insists results will come amid a difficult start to the new Championship season for Bristol City ahead of the latest international break.
The two-week stoppage will come at a good time for the Robins boss and his men after completing three league games in just eight days, most recently Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Cardiff City.
It’s been a tough start to the campaign for City who sit 16th in the standings after their opening nine games and have picked up 11 points so far. Since their previous international break a month ago, Manning’s men have picked up one win, three draws and a 3-0 loss to Blackburn Rovers.
Despite controlling games, the Robins have struggled to convert chances which has drawn criticism from some sections from the Ashton Gate fanbase with boos being heard in their previous two games against Cardiff and Sheffield Wednesday.
Reflecting on the Robins’ start to the season, which has seen a total of two wins, five draws and two defeats, Manning has been “frustrated” that his side haven’t picked up more points but is positive results will come.
He told Bristol Live, “Probably sat here slightly frustrated that we haven’t got more points like everybody but part of it for me is to assess where we are out. We need to start turning real good control and possession into more chances. We definitely did that when I think back to the games we had early on.
“That is the biggest thing, frustrated that we’ve drawn so many but I know it’s close with the group, we’re still unbeaten here (Ashton Gate) and we’ve only lost two games in nine. It’s then how we convert more draws into wins.
“I genuinely believe that (it is coming together). I think if you go through all the games – probably frustrated (against Cardiff) – but the only one out of the nine which was nowhere near our level that we expect was Blackburn. The other games we’ve drawn Swansea, we could’ve won that one, the game in midweek (against Sheffield Wednesday) we could’ve won that one.
“It’s right on an edge where we’re showing we can control games, we can show we’re at the level. I think it’s how do we now convert more of those chances into goals, which will lead to wins.”
City return to action in under a fortnight’s time as they face ninth-placed Middlesbrough. The Robins will make the long trip to the north east looking to pick up their first win of the campaign on the road after two defeats and two draws so far.