Robins Take Flight: The Rise of Bristol City
After years of mediocrity and mid-table pain, Bristol City are aiming for a playoff spot for just the first time in 16 years. This monumental rise up the table is something nobody would have expected this season but in a tight promotion battle, will the Robins have the mental fortitude to achieve what may have seemed the unachievable only months ago.
Despite losing their last two matches at Luton Town and Leeds United, Bristol will enter the final match vs. Preston in prime position to qualify for the playoff positions, sitting fifth in the table, one point above Coventry City and Millwall, two above Blackburn Rovers, and three above Middlesbrough. The playoffs have been untouched ground for many years at Ashton Gate, but with Liam Manning at the helm and the tight-knit group that he possesses, it could be a season to remember for the Robins.
Losing important players in the summer with the likes of Tommy Conway and Taylor Gardner-Hickman departing for new pastures, the recruitment had to be right. And right it was – Scott Twine, Yu Hirakwa, Luke McNally and Sinclair Armstrong have all been big contributors in their success this season but it is two other players that have taken a step up this season, reinventing themselves in this Bristol City side.
Knights in Shining Armour
Despite Bristol City’s silent surge up the table being made possible by each of the 24 players that have featured this campaign, the least amount of players used by any Championship side this season, there are two individuals who are the stars of the show. Jason Knight, a combative yet intelligent midfielder who has featured in every match for the Robins this campaign, is one of the most underrated midfielders in the division.
Knight is a midfielder that loves to get on the ball and control the tempo of the game. This season, in comparison to other Championship midfielders, Knight is in the top 7% for progressive passes and the top 17% for passes attempted – translating well to Bristol City’s high-energy, attacking football.
Whilst playing in a deeper role, he is in the top 3% for ball recoveries for midfielders, being a crucial part in helping the Robins amass the most times possession has been won in midfield, in the division, a staggering 915 times. Although he is essential to this Bristol City team out of possession and for the tactical element of the game.
Knight has also chipped in with eight goal contributions this season, being involved in 14% of goals scored by the Robins. A complete midfielder who has elevated his game in only his second season at Ashton Gate. If Bristol City don’t complete the fairytale, Premier League clubs will surely be on the horizon for the Irishman.
The other key player for the Robins this campaign has been Anis Mehmeti. The Albanian is soaring to the top of the goalscoring charts for Bristol City, notching 12 goals in what has been a standout campaign for him. The left-sided winger has contributed to 24% of their goals so far this season, statistically going level with his best ever campaign in professional football with six games remaining.
Mehmeti is a tricky winger who loves to be direct and take opposition defenders on, an entertainer at its purest form. He loves operating inside the 12-yard box, averaging 6.40 touches in the attacking penalty area per 90. Combining this with his successful take-ons and progressive carries is what makes the Albanian such a threat in the Championship.
Despite this, he can be a frustrating player at times. Fan reports suggest he may overdo certain things and say he is a very short-tempered attacker. Averaging 2.97 shots per 90, the stats would suggest the fans have every right to express their opinions. The inconsistency of the player would be his only letdown with no goals since the beginning of March in what has been a very important period for Liam Manning’s side.
However, Mehmeti was extremely unfortunate not to receive an Albania call-up during the March international fixtures, where they faced off against England at Wembley. It has been a real rise to good fortunes for Mehmeti – only five years ago was he applying his trade for Woodford Town in the Essex senior leagues. Talent can be found at even the lowest levels of English football, as exemplified by Mehmeti’s rise.
Tactical Flexibility and Formation Shifts
Liam Manning has completely shifted the footballing culture at Bristol City this campaign, implementing a more dynamic and adaptable approach with focus on flexibility and structured pressing. The Robins started the season setting up in a traditional 4-2-3-1 formation and after a rather lacklustre start, it wasn’t until January that Manning decided to alter his tactics and set them up in a 3-4-3 system which has remained until the present day.
The former MK Dons and Oxford manager has typically been known to want ball-retaining teams with a lot of possession however, his shift in tactics with Bristol City has seen them hold an average of 50.3% of possession this season, just the tenth highest in the division. Now, Manning focuses on strategically pressing and winning the ball back in the final third, thwarting teams from building out from the back.
This approach is seen as more calculated, more like a ‘chess match’ than ‘Gung-ho football’. A main feature of this tactical tweak is the way the team is set up to force opposition into wide areas before trapping them in build-up. Once the ball reaches the opposing full-back, an overload is instructed with both the wing-back and winger doubling up with the support of one of the two holding midfielders. Ultimately, the aim of this is to force the wide player into rushing their pass or making a mistake resulting in turnovers and fast-paced transitions.
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Their midfield compression is also impressive. There is a reason they have won possession back in midfield the most times in the division – the two holding midfielders, typically Jason Knight and Max Bird, hold a very narrow shape and react to passing lanes rather than just the ball. Max Bird is usually the more advanced of the two and when the press is triggered, he pushes further up the pitch with Knight covering the hole, maintaining vertical compactness. One of the most difficult sides in the division to break down, Manning has constructed a really powerful force at Ashton Gate.
What’s Next for The Robins?
With one game remaining in the regular season, Bristol City will be dreaming of the Premier League and although there is still a long way to go before thinking about such a monumental step, it really is a possibility. Their recent consistency in producing results shows they have no sign of slowing down and letting this playoff spot slip again.
Are they overachieving? More than likely, however, it has been a long time coming for the Robins and after years of pain and mediocrity, could this be their time to finally reach the Premier League after 45 years without top-flight football at Ashton Gate. They might be an underdog but the Robins are certainly stretching their wings and taking flight towards the top flight.
By: Ben Sheldrick / @bshlrz
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Barrington Coombs – PA Images