I want to start my column this week by offering my heartfelt condolences to Liam Manning, his wife Fran and their son Isaac following the tragic loss of their newborn baby Theo John Manning.
It has been an incredibly emotional week for everyone at Bristol City football club. Just how Chris Hogg and the players were able to train and put plans in place for the away game at Middlesbrough when I’m sure all their thoughts were with their gaffer and his family is testament to their professionalism.
When things like this happen, it puts everything else into perspective. As much as we all love it, football is after all only a game. However, as demonstrated yesterday and in so many times in the past, it can also help in these situations and hopefully yesterday‘s performance and result will have brought even the briefest of smiles to the face of the Manning family.
I was moved to tears by the respectful minute’s applause from everyone inside the ground before the whistle for the start of the game. We know that Hogg and Manning are very close friends and in fact Chris has talked this week about how he feels the same for the Manning family as he does his own. What Chris must have gone through of course pales into insignificance to that which Liam and his family have gone through, but it must still have been an incredibly tough week for him.
To have to concentrate and take the reins on to prepare a team to face Middlesbrough and to then stand in the technical area and have all the emotions of the day and the atmosphere, speaks volumes of the man and the close bond that he and Liam have.
I have massive respect for the Middlesbrough fans, their football club and their manager and it was lovely to see the programme notes from Michael Carrick, speaking about the situation and how they wanted to support Liam, the two having done their coaching badges together.
The ‘Fly High Theo’ banners that Section 82 and Middlesbrough’s Red Faction 08 put together showed that some things are bigger than football. Huge thanks and respect to all of those involved. You did our club and your club proud.
Regarding team news, with injuries to Scott Twine and of course the absence of the injured Cam Pring, Hogg opted to play Ross McCrorie on the left-hand side of the defence and to play captain Jason Knight in the number 10 role. There was also a start for Nahki Wells after his hattrick performance for his national Bermuda side. This was clever management, having Nahki‘s experience and maturity to help the side through.
Knight’s role in the number 10, although not alien to him, was perhaps a surprise to fans with an expectation that West Ham United loanee George Earthy may get the nod, or that Max Bird would fill that position. As it was, for this game, it was somewhat of a masterstroke.
Make no mistake, Middlesbrough are a very good side and I would be surprised not to see them challenging for the promotion places at the business end of the season. Carrick has his team playing some fantastic incisive passing football but this season they are not clicking where it counts most, in front of goal. They had lots of the ball yesterday and created numerous opportunities without really carving City open and perhaps only having two or three clearcut chances which they did not take.
I would prefer to praise our defensive display rather than the failings of the Middlesbrough forwards. This was a resolute Robins performance full of determination and desire to keep the ball out of the net.
Every single player stood up to be counted. For me, McCrorie in an unfavoured position on the left-hand side of the defence, grew into the game and was key to the defensive display and result.
Luke McNally in the centre of defence had his best game in a City shirt and alongside him Zac Vyner put in a performance that we came to expect last season. Zac was back at the very top of his game, his concentration levels and his reading of the game were excellent. There was one block in the second half that was almost worthy of a goal at the other end. It epitomised everything about the side. On the right George Tanner was his consistent self.
I have already talked about Jason Knight and just how good a decision it proved to be to play our captain in the number 10. Clearly Manning, Hogg and the team of analysts had studied Middlesbrough and the way that they like to play the game. Boro like to keep the ball and attack you with pace, but their press, and the way that they like to play the ball around at the back with a high line, left them open to being caught in possession and Jason Knight did just that for the two goals.
Knight was excellent and everywhere. For the City opener, the Irishman anticipated a pass at the back and the awareness that he showed to pass the ball to Anis Mehmeti was superb. It felt as though time stood still somewhat with Anis taking four touches before firing the ball into the net. Middlesbrough were rocked but continued to play the style of football that Carrick insists upon, however, it was again to bite them just before the break when they were caught out by another piece of impressive pressing by Knight.
The skipper charged into the penalty area and when he was halted, Yu Hirakawa, who had kept up with the play, was on hand to sweep the ball home with a beautifully curled left foot shot into the corner of the net. It was Yu’s first goal for the club and sent the 500+ away fans into raptures.
I expected Middlesbrough to come out all guns blazing in the second half, but City were a team determined to come away with the three points. We defended as if our lives depended on it, but this wasn’t a case of the Alamo. We had our own opportunities and had we been a little more careful with our final ball we could have made more of those.
Hogg made the right substitutions at the right time. Sinclair Armstrong coming on for the tireless Nahki Wells was the right decision and Sinclair then proceeded to give the Middlesbrough back line somewhat of a headache.
When the final whistle went, seeing and hearing the City fans singing “Liam Manning‘s Cider Army” over and over again and receiving applause back from the players that they were applauding brought another lump to the throat. Hogg was saluting the fans and patting his chest signifying just how emotional and just how much it meant to him and his team. To see the players holding the “Fly High Theo” banner out in front of them whilst every man woman and child in the away end were clapping and chanting is something that will live with me forever.
I cannot comprehend what Liam Manning, his wife Fran, their son Isaac and the rest of the Manning family are going through. Hopefully, the three points and seeing just how much the players wanted to win that game for them will give the family some comfort in these exceptionally difficult times.
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Thank you Middlesbrough Football Club for the way that you behaved on Saturday and the way that you helped support us in supporting our gaffer and his family.
Section 82 are raising funds to create a visual tribute that captures the outpouring of love and condolence shared by City fans, and indeed the entire football community, in support of the Manning family. From the funds raised, anything achieved above the required amount to facilitate the display will be donated to an appropriate charity of the Mannings’ choosing. Please help and thank you in advance for your support. You can donate by clicking here.
As a mate of mine Adam Gould said, he felt that it was important to be at the game with his young lad Sonny. Adam’s dad, Rich who is in his seventies and a lifelong City fan couldn’t make the long trip up and back in a day but made a point of phoning Adam and saying “make sure that you let that little lad and Liam’s family know we care.” Sonny got to see his first away win at the 11th attempt and it’s a win that he will always remember. The smile on his face at the end of the game was priceless.
This was the Bristol City family at it’s best. Saturday was a case where everyone associated with our club should feel very proud. Fly High Theo Manning with love from the Bristol City family.
Our 3 Peaps In A Podcast average player ratings were Max O’Leary 7, George Tanner 7, Zak Vyner 8.5*MoTM, Luke McNally 7.5, Ross McCrorie 8, Max Bird 6, Jason Knight 8.5, Joe Williams 7, Anis Mehmeti 7, Yu Hirakawa 7.5, and Nahki Wells 6.5. For the substitutes who must play a minimum of 20 minutes (including injury time) we went Kal Naismith 6.5, George Earthy 6 and Sinclair Armstrong 6.5. A game average player rating of 7.11. That’s an overall season to date average player rating of 6.03.
For Chris Hogg it’s 8.5. Hoggy you did you friend and Gaffer Liam proud. The game rating was 8, a performance and day that will stay with me forever.