Bristol City are looking to extend their unbeaten run in the Championship to four matches when they welcome Swansea City and Luke Williams to Ashton Gate on Sunday.
The Robins will be keen to secure a fifth successive home win in the league, having beaten Blackburn Rovers 1-0 last time out at Ashton Gate and carry the momentum that they built, while reduced to nine men, in their 1-1 draw with Oxford United last weekend.
Heading into this weekend’s clash with the Swans, the Reds remain within touching distance of the play-off places. Williams’ side on the other hand are closer to the relegation zone than they are to the top six, having failed to win any of their last seven matches in all competitions.
Ahead of Sunday’s Anglo-Welsh showdown, here is a full transcript of everything Liam Manning said in his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon…
For the last time for a good few months, it’s all done with the transfer window. How do you assess your squad as you come out of it for the rest of the campaign?
Pleased with what we’ve got, I think, I spoke about it last time. We knew end of the summer, we were carrying a couple too many so obviously when you make decisions coming into January, I think it was quite clear that we needed to trim a few. I think the biggest bit is what we’re finishing the window with. I think, when you look at it, look at the progress in the squad in a year, we’ve got more options, got more depth, got more quality, got more different profiles. We’re definitely finishing the window in a better spot than we were a year ago. So for me, I think that’s the bit. I’m looking forward to seeing what the group can do in the remainder of the season.
Finances are key in all of this but I’m sure there were conversations around if you could do something, because every manager wants one more piece.
Of course. I think that’s part of my job is to push for everything, right? I think that’s part of my job is to push. I’ve been quite clear, I think, from day one, I also have a huge amount of respect for what gets put in. I think that’s the biggest bit, was there anything there that you could have done to maybe add? We all know January is a really difficult market. I think you often, when you look at it, people are gambling or you’re overpaying. Anyone that’s settled and performing well, you can’t get unless you’re willing to pay a fortune.
You then end up gambling on people who have even been injured or not been in teams or been on the fringes of things, which carries risk as well. You risk unsettling the group that you’ve got currently. It’s one of those, I’ll always push for more, I’ll always push to improve things and to raise the level. But you always have to make sure you do what’s right for the club in the longer term as well.
Some senior players and some youngsters have left to get some minutes. Were there possibilities of other players leaving or are you happy with the numbers that are left?
I think so, definitely. There were a couple of other options to move people out. It was quite obvious that [Mark] Sykesy had a bit of interest but we obviously made the decision on Sykesy. He’s in a good spot, done really well so delighted we could keep him as well.
There was some interest in [Harry] Corns as well to be fair, but I’ve been really pleased. Corns brings a huge amount behind the scenes, he’s had to keep his head down and graft but culturally he’s excellent. I’ve finished the window, it’s done. My head now goes onto Sunday and making sure we do what we can to go on and win.
With Harry, obviously, that’s his decision in part to stay. Does it change anything, the fact there’s no opportunity for him now other than forcing his way into your team between now and the end of the season?
That’s the bit, I’ve got a really good relationship with Harry and we have all the way along. I know he’s not been in a few squads recently but I can’t speak highly enough of how he’s trained and I think that’s two-fold. I think it speaks volumes about him as a person and a professional but also the relationship that I have with him.
We’ve regularly sat down, had conversations and been quite transparent along the way that if there was something there for him that was interesting, it was one that he could explore. But at the same point, if we finished the window and he was here, he was very much part of what we were trying to do. That’s where I think being open, being honest and having sometimes difficult conversations helps culturally and helps people just be clear about where they’re at. He’s definitely someone that is in contention now.
The last bit about all of that is that in the statement it said that Yu at some point over the next few days will sign his deal. Is that something you thought would happen in the summer or have you liked what you’ve seen of him so far?
It was something that was quite clear all the way along. Working abroad probably helped me understand that it takes time for players to transition and settle. It’s a huge move for him, the language thing, he’s still on two English lessons a week which is progressing. Also, when you look at it, in his career he’s not played seven, or eight seasons. He’s still quite early on in his career so to come here off the back of a half-season in the J-League, it’s going to be an 18-month season for him.
There’s also the energy, the freshness, that side of it that’s quite important so he’s done really well, he’s had a really good impact. There’s probably a little bit less pressure on him at the minute, purely from the factors that I just spoke about, but he’s somebody that’s really exciting. I think when you look at it, the bits he has contributed have been excellent at times. I think it’s one of those, we want to push him for the last 16 to keep contributing, to keep increasing numbers in terms of goals and assists and then I think the pressure probably increases on him a little bit next season.
In terms of this weekend, the red cards from the weekend will be a miss. Anything else in terms of injuries or players coming back?
No, all good.
It does give you, defensively, a little bit of a headache in terms of numbers again.
When you look at, a few, [Harry] Corns, Elijah [Morrison], [Cam] Pringy’s back on the grass and pushing, so we lose the lads this weekend, but I think what we’ve got behind that is options and some quality to step in and take their place. I think that’s the biggest bit now, we’ve had competition, we’ve needed the competition and it’s my job to make sure that we manage it right and when people get the opportunity, they grab it.
It’s not quite home straight yet, but you’re getting to that point and you’re in touching distance of where you want to be. You’re fully in the mix.
We’re in a good spot I think. Naturally, you reflect back on the games we’ve had so far, probably a little bit frustrated and disappointed not to have more points given how well, at times, the lads have performed but we’re in a good spot. The weekend was terrific I think, it kind of epitomised everything that you want culturally, the toughness, the resilience, the togetherness, the fight we had to show for 60 minutes with 10 men. It speaks volumes about the group of lads we’ve got. I was really proud of them at the weekend, I thought they were excellent and it’s taking that same level of focus into this week.
It’s a tough week, the scheduling’s horrific. When you look at it, I think it’s terrible. We talk a lot about the integrity of the competition but when you look at the organisation and the timings to go Sunday, Wednesday night and early on a Saturday, it’s just madness. It is what it is, it’s one that we have to deal with and again you need the options, you need the depth and I think we’ve shown before, turning around quickly in games is a strength of ours. We can bounce from Sunday into Wednesday quite well. We’ll need everybody to be fresh to be in a good spot and ready to contribute.
When you’ve got so many matches in such a small space of time, do you have a plan in your mind of what you’d like to happen? Or are there too many moving parts to even think about Wednesday and next Saturday?
What I’d like to happen is we win and nobody gets injured. That easy, right? I think the big bit is now to take Sunday, do everything to win Sunday and then we work off the back of that. I think I’ve said it before, I think you can be too cute and clever and try and plan changes manipulate situations and I think it comes back and bites you a little bit. I’ll be picking a team to win on Sunday and then after the game, assess where we’re at and then get ready to go again.
I think I know the answer to the question before I ask it. These three games people will look at them and think this is an amazing opportunity to not just be on the fringes of a play-off place, but get yourself right in the middle of it.
Yep. It’s a good opportunity. We’re at that stage of the season, I think when you look at it, I think in terms of elements of pressure, it’s a marathon of the season. It’s relentless. We’re what, two-thirds of the way through, got a third to go. It’s not going to make or break the season this week, but it definitely can contribute to where we want to get to. So I think it’s one of those where my message to the lads won’t change. They’ve trained well this week, and the prep will be there but ultimately, the second the whistle starts, just enjoy the challenge, leave it all out there, and believe in what we’re trying to do. Like I said, I’ve got so much confidence in the group that when we’re at our best, we can beat anybody.
Just finally, Swansea. You’ve always had close games against them, but they come into this one on the back of some poor form.
Which arguably makes them more dangerous, right? They’ll be looking for a response. The window unsettles people, naturally, January is a tough month from that perspective so now that it’s closed, they know what they’re working with and Luke knows what he’s got. I think it’s one of those where the form is there to be changed right? The second you come off it a couple of percent you’re in trouble so control us, control our behaviours, control our quality, go into the game being the best versions of ourselves.
You mentioned Cam is back on the grass, will this weekend be too soon for him?
A little bit. He’s definitely heading in the right direction, he’s not a million miles away but the next week is probably a little bit too early at the minute.
You’ve said in the past about Sinclair Armstrong’s pace meaning you’ve had to manage his return carefully, does he fall into the same category?
Yeah, I think he will do. That’s what is probably slightly frustrating about the scheduling this week. We’ve got it this week, the programme is pretty forgiving and then we’ve got another crazy week down the line. This week will be too early for Pringy. Once you get through that, it’s a fair few Saturdays to Saturdays so it’s one of those where we can manage him back in, get some training load into and get him into a good spot. We obsess on planning, we have lots of meetings, the discussions will be there to say, what’s appropriate for Pringy, for Sincs [Armstrong] or whoever it is.
Looking back at Joe’s red card, have you decided to appeal it? You had mixed views on it after the game.
It’s frustrating because it’s soft, but I also half see why the ref gives it. My opinion from what I said after the game has probably not changed. I think Joe gives him the opportunity a little bit, but we saw a lot worse tackles. The one on Joe probably before that from Gregory Leigh was arguably worse as well. It’s one of those, it’s frustrating to lose Joe, he’s come back, he’s worked so hard to get back and the only probable blessing is that it’s seven or eight days he misses and not a two-week period. We didn’t appeal it.
Is it expected to be a one-game ban?
It will be more than that.
Three?
I think so, yeah.
That’s obviously a blow when you’ve got the games in quick succession. Does it leave you slightly light in midfield or do you feel you can cope without him?
We didn’t have him for two months so we’ll be alright.
George Earthy started last weekend. So much of his performance was good and everyone wanted him to score that chance. What did you make of his display?
Yeah, you kind of assess it in sections, right? Before the red and after the red. I think, in terms of especially after the red card, he put in a real shift for the team. It changes the focus then of his job. Can he be trusted? Is he reliable defensively? I thought especially the way he shifted across the pitch, killed spaces, got pressure on the ball, all the bit which as an attacking midfielder sometimes you question whether they’re able to, I thought he showed a real level of maturity in managing the situation. I know he’s in his own head about the chance, I think that’s the bit we said about, be brave, go and take the opportunity, go and make the most of it.
It’s easy to forget because he’s come from a Premier League club just how young he is. It’s his first real season of senior football, where do you feel he is in general?
Yeah, I was talking to Hoggy about it yesterday actually. I think the expectation from here to West Ham probably changed. I think at West Ham he’s around it, he’s obviously been on the bench and had a few minutes, but with probably a low expectation to play. He obviously comes here desperate to play, comes here with the motivation, the goal of playing so it’s a different emotional and it’s a different pressure for him.
He’s a terrific footballer and a terrific character. He’s someone that’s had a really good impact when we’ve needed him to and he definitely gives me a headache in terms of team selection, which for someone on a first loan, away from a big prem Cat One club is a credit to him for how he’s done. The challenge is then those little key moments, and make the most of them. I think the bits. Don’t be nearly, make sure that you grab that opportunity, which I have no doubt seeing his quality every day in training he will do.
Keeping Mark Sykes beyond January is a boost as well, but you must be pleased that you’ve tied him down to the extra year as well.
Yeah, he’s done well Syksey. The injury came at a bad time probably. I thought he’d just started to pick up a bit of form. I thought he’d got to a good spot then obviously, injury set him back a little bit, which was a little bit longer than what we’d probably hoped for. Since he’s come back in, he’s done extremely well. I had a chat with him today about it, keeping that edge to him because when he’s got it, I think he produces the moments.
You see Sheffield Wednesday away, two terrific deliveries and the quality of the finish at the weekend. He’s contributing in ways that I know he’s desperate to and I want him to as well. I’ve been really pleased with him and I think it helps him and helps the club, just have clarity on what the future looks like for him at the minute.
Did you have full faith when it was him on the edge of the box? I know he said there were a few doubters on the bench.
Did he name anyone?
No, he didn’t.
Of course I do, yeah. Like I said at the weekend, credit to Pat, credit to the people working on it. Watching it back, I thought the ball was a lot cleaner across the box, but having seen it, it was actually quite lively. It was bouncing quite a bit. The control on it was excellent, I thought it was a moment of real quality that deserved to get us something from the game.
He’s one of a number of options you have at right-back, you have options all over the pitch now. You mentioned last year the difference in where the squad was at, how does that change your role?
I don’t think it changes from what I’ve done all season, to be fair. I’m quite clear with the lads, it’s about the team, it’s not about them. I think that’s the big bit. It’s making sure that when people step on the pitch, they give everything from the team, whether it’s 10 minutes, whether it’s 90 minutes, sixty. I think that’s where some of the lads, like I say Corns, who hasn’t had minutes, is contributing still massively behind the scenes and it’s quite a difficult thing to do, especially in where the world’s at today.
I understand people have their individual motivations, but it’s a lot easier to achieve that and for the team to be successful if everybody buys into that. If the team does well, then off the back of it, individually, people will. I think we’ve got a group of lads that are hungry, that are ambitious, that want to get better and I think if there’s guarantees that you’re going to play every week, you’re not going to achieve the level you’re capable of.
I think you only have to look across even this division now, you look at what some of the top four sides have done this window, what Premier League sides do, and there are two or three outstanding players in each position. It brings an element of pressure where you’ve got to deliver. You might not get five or six games, the opportunity to build into something. If we want to do what we think we’re capable of in the last 16 games, then you’ve got to deliver on Sunday, not in four games time.
On the window, fans have pointed out that teams around you in the play-off race have strengthened this month. Is that something you pay any attention to at all?
Of course, you keep an eye on it. I think you’ll see in the future as well, the Championship is spending more money than it’s ever done, but I can’t control what other teams do. I can only control what we’re capable of doing, what we can do and where the lads are at. Like I said, for me, it’s about building this group to a higher level. We’ve got ourselves in this position in the first half of the season, it’s can we elevate our level?
Can some of the top performances that we had in the first 30 games where we didn’t get points, can we turn those into wins to pick up more points, more clean sheets, more goals, and that’s ultimately the challenge. We had a chat with the lads when the window shut and said, right, we’re all in, this is everybody. Let’s have a right go here in the final third.
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Just finally from me, we’re speaking to Max Bird later. What have you made of his start as a Bristol City player?
I think he’s been brilliant, Birdy. He kind of epitomises what we want in the culture. He’s young in years, but when you look at it he’s over 200 career games, so he’s actually quite experienced and I think he’s, he’s someone that is desperate to learn, desperate to get better. He’s probably too intense at times around improving his game which, I’d much prefer rather than having to drive someone myself.
I think in terms of how he’s settled in, he fits the change of room terrifically well. His qualities are clear to see, I think especially when the game can be a little bit chaotic, he’s actually the one that you can find an element of composure and manages the regains for us on transition to just bring a little bit of quality and calmness. He’s done extremely well, I’m actually seeing him this afternoon to do some work with him and I’m going to be on at him about goals and assists. I think he can contribute even more. But like I said, for the first 30 games we’ve done, he’s been excellent.
Is that the next step for him, contributing more in and around the box?
Yeah. I’ve seen his quality every day, bits around the edge of the box, it’s what I’m looking at afternoon with him. There were a couple against Plymouth, there was a chance against Luton, Portsmouth away where there’s a similar position where he lands on things and doesn’t ask the question enough for me. It’s one of those with all of them there, they’ve got some super strengths and they’ve all got bits to work on and I think it’s one of those with Birdy. I think there are little bits of his game that can get him to the level he wants to get to.