Bristol City head coach Liam Manning has revealed his pride for his team after the Robins beat Preston 3-1 in an emphatic win.
Yu Hirakawa opened the scoring for the Robins after just six minutes, anticipating a poor back pass and poking the ball past Freddie Woodman and walking it into an open net.
The hosts equalised straight after half time, though, as Sam Greenwood whipped a neat free kick past Max O’Leary, but the Reds responded instantly.
O’Leary set off a swift counter attack as City found the net with two passes, Mark Sykes crossing to Nahki Wells who restored the lead with a good header.
Midfielder Max Bird sealed the three points later on with his first goal for the club, slotting the ball into the bottom corner after being played in by Hirakawa.
“I’m proud of the players,” Manning stated after the game.
“[It was] at times not the prettiest game. It was a stop-start first half with a few injuries which we were unfortunate to pick up. [We] managed it quite well given we had to make forced changes in the first half and we changed shape as well. I thought showed what we’re about in terms of culturally, problem solving and finding a way. In the second half, the second and third goal were moments of really outstanding quality that deserved to win the game.”
The win has seen City extend their unbeaten run to eight games as they now sit in eighth as of Saturday evening.
Throughout their run, Manning’s side have demonstrated numerous ways to play and manage games, whether they’re dominating, chasing games or sitting deep.
It’s clearly something that Manning and his assistant Chris Hogg value.
“I think you have to do a bit of everything in football,” the Reds boss admitted.
“I think there’s a little bit of a snobbery now around styles and philosophies and what it has to be. We pressed well at times; we blocked really well when we had to. We were better with the ball; we’ve still got work to do on that but it’s a really tough place to come. They pressed high…the atmosphere and energy in the place.
“It’s real progress for me. I look back to the Derby game where we gave up three goals and we didn’t have that compactness, that resilience, that desire to defend. I think it showed volumes about the group today in terms of how far we’ve come, and we’ve still got a long way to go.”
There were many above average performances at Deepdale from the Robins team and they produced some moments of true quality, particularly during their second and third goals.
“I thought Sykesy was excellent today,” said Manning.
“I thought his desire to compete and to run and get back behind the ball and then his quality on [the ball] was very good as well. Some of the movement to get in behind was excellent. [It was a] great ball and Nahki with great movement.
He’s in a good spot, Nahki, for his age and when you look at him, he’s in terrific condition and just so intelligent.”
Although Bird found the net for the first time for City’s third, the midfielder had the opportunity earlier on but failed to take it from a similar position to where he later scored.
Manning had some strong words to say regarding the missed chance.
“I was ready to rip Birdy’s head off with the one that he missed,” Manning joked.
“He’s been long overdue that. I know he’s been frustrated so I’m delighted he finally got it and hopefully he’ll get some more.”
The unbeaten run is something the club and the fans can take real pride in, however there is still humility from Manning and his team who are careful not to get carried away by their recent good results.
“Credit to the lads [and] the staff,” Manning continued.
“[But] it doesn’t mean anything yet. We know there are so many games and points to play for. You decide what you take forward and I think we have to go and reflect, keep the culture and make sure everybody’s all in.
“We need to whole squad. When you see the changes today; that’s the big bit. When anyone’s called upon, to be ready. We’ll take the positives from it, and we have to quickly forget about it and get ready for another tough game on Tuesday night.”
Manning was forced into two first-half changes against the Lilywhites as yet another full back took a knock in George Tanner, and midfielder Joe Williams trudged off in his first match back after a one game suspension.
They were replaced by Haydon Roberts, who was returning from a spell out through injury himself, and Marcus McGuane who both put in good performance, demonstrating the Robins’ strength in depth.
The Reds boss confirmed some details of the injuries after the full time whistle.
“George has felt a little something in his knee. We’re not sure what it is yet; I haven’t spoken with Paul and the medical staff yet. We’ll have to have a look at it as soon as possible for Tuesday. Joe’s was just his Achilles; he’s had a little bit of tendonitis in it for a while so he just felt it a bit. I’m hoping it’s nothing major but it’s still so early after the game and we’ll have to assess.”