City & Rovers: A Bristol Football Podcast - Robins looking to end season strongly, whilst Gas must return to winning ways soon
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00:00 Joe, here we are talking about Bristol City, of course, in midweek, it was a thumping win for the Robins, 5-0 against Blackburn Rovers.
00:08 If we just quickly look back to that, that's quite the result for Liam Manning and his side, isn't it?
00:14 Yeah, it was. It was. And it was a long time coming, really, a comfortable win like that.
00:18 They've been on a good run of form, to be fair.
00:21 They've won three of the last four now, but they'd only actually scored three goals in five games before Wednesday night.
00:26 So, yeah, it was good for the team to get a few goals on the board, really.
00:33 They were helped out massively, really, by Blackburn.
00:36 It kind of has to be said, they had two penalties and, yeah, just numerous defensive mistakes, really.
00:43 But, yeah, a really positive night and, yeah, more than one goal in it, which makes a change anyway.
00:49 What sort of a season has it been for Bristol City?
00:51 Because I think when Liam Manning came in, perhaps there was a bit of optimism that they could push on,
00:56 but it's sort of teetered and faltered a little bit around mid-table.
01:00 Is that something that's been a bit of a disappointment or is it just a case of consolidating this season?
01:05 And next season, there might be more to look forward to?
01:08 I think so. I think, you know, he came in the start of November.
01:12 It took a little while for the squad to get playing the way he liked.
01:15 They had quite a lot of injuries and they've kind of been a bit of a streaky team this season.
01:20 They'll win four, then they'll maybe lose three.
01:23 And they've just never really been able to get that consistency about them, which hasn't been helped by the injuries.
01:30 They obviously had a really good run in the Cup, not West Ham out, beat by Forrest on penalties in the replay.
01:36 So I think, you know, with a good transfer window behind him, I know he's kind of,
01:42 he's spoken a lot this season about bringing in an out-and-out number nine with a bit more physicality than his options at the moment.
01:50 I think there is a lot of optimism going into next season as it stands.
01:56 And so this weekend, it's Huddersfield Town.
01:59 Aside who themselves have been struggling a little bit, what's the thoughts going into this game?
02:06 Well, obviously, they'll go into it on a high after their midweek result.
02:10 They drew one all at Huddersfield in December, which wasn't a great game.
02:15 Huddersfield essentially sat back and hit on the break.
02:18 They could have actually won that game, really. Huddersfield had a few chances on the counter-attack.
02:23 But it's kind of, City have kind of struggled against teams like Huddersfield in general this season,
02:28 where they have a lot of the ball as a rule and they have to break them down, which is kind of shown in their results.
02:35 They obviously got beat by Cardiff as well, got beat by QPR at Ashton Gate.
02:41 So it will be a test, even though they're obviously battling to stay in the division.
02:46 I don't think it will be as easy as Wednesday night because Blackburn, in credit, did come out and play.
02:52 Whereas I think where Huddersfield are and off the back of Bristol's result in midweek,
02:58 I can see them coming and just sitting back and making it really difficult.
03:00 So I think patience will be key for Bristol City on Saturday.
03:05 But yeah, it won't be an easy game by any means.
03:08 Given what you just mentioned there about the previous encounter between the two,
03:12 are Bristol City, aside, more set up to play a team that will be more open and that they can exploit the spaces,
03:18 as opposed to a team that will sit in?
03:20 Did they find it hard against a team who sit in quite deep?
03:24 They do, yeah. And that has definitely been reflected in a lot of results this season.
03:29 You only have to look at their record against the top teams in the division.
03:32 They beat Leicester not long ago, Ashton Gate, beat Southampton.
03:36 They narrowly lost to Ipswich Town 3-2 away and they played really well.
03:40 I think just the attacking players that Bristol City possess, Conway especially,
03:45 he's really suited to kind of running the channels and it almost suits Bristol to be under a bit of pressure.
03:51 They did have Sam Bowd, who was a real weapon for those kind of games.
03:56 Unfortunately, he's ruled out until the end of the season.
03:59 But they have really lacked that sort of player when they play against really defensive teams that can unlock a door.
04:07 They brought Scott Twine in on loan from Burnley in January, who started really well.
04:11 He scored in his debut, but he was subsequently injured for four or five weeks with a quad injury.
04:18 He's come back in now and he's steadily improving game on game.
04:22 And Anas Mehmeti has been probably the player that's improved the most under Liam Manning.
04:27 He could never really nail down a starting spot consistently under Nigel Pearson.
04:32 But the last kind of four weeks, he's really become more consistent and more got a better end product in front of goal, shall we say.
04:42 So I think they're in a better position now to unlock the Huddersfield defence if they do sit back than what they were last time they played.
04:52 And yeah, I think they'll be confident going into the game.
04:55 And victory against Huddersfield, what would that, what encouragement would that give them to the end of the season?
05:00 Because as we've mentioned, it's a season where they're not going to be relegated.
05:05 They're likely not going to make the playoff.
05:07 So is it just a case of showing what they have got until the end of the season and then the summer will be where the build comes for next year?
05:16 It is, yeah. As you say, they can't really, they can't go down, they can't go up.
05:20 So the last four games of the season now are just about ending on a high, I think, going into the summer.
05:27 But there's still a lot to play for for individual players.
05:30 They have a few players that are out of contract, Matty James and Joe Williams in particular, two central midfield players that are playing for their futures.
05:37 So there is a lot to play for, even though not this season in the league, players still have a real reason to go out and perform.
05:45 It's obviously going to be Liam Manning's first transfer window as well.
05:50 And as mentioned, he's spoken all year about bringing in a striker.
05:53 So Naki Wells and Tommy Conway will be really eager to get on the score sheet in these remaining games to kind of send a message to Liam,
06:00 I suppose, saying that, you know, I can be your main man next season.
06:04 So, you know, even though on the face of it, it might not look like Bristol City have a lot to play for, I can guarantee you they do.
06:12 And finally, you mentioned the search for a striker there in the summer.
06:16 What else will Liam Manning be looking for to develop his side if ambition is the aim at Bristol City?
06:26 Yeah, I think midfield's really going to be a big position.
06:30 Obviously, like I mentioned, James and Williams are both out of contract.
06:33 There hasn't really been any movement so far.
06:37 Liam Manning's kind of insisted that he'll have those conversations at the end of the season.
06:42 They have got Max Bird coming in from Derby County.
06:46 And I think a lot of it depends on injuries.
06:48 They've really struggled at centre back with injuries this season.
06:51 Rob Atkinson hasn't played once.
06:53 He's been out all season with an ACL injury.
06:56 And Cal Naismith has just been sidelined, probably had four or five injuries all season, just hasn't been able to stay fit.
07:05 And he's not getting any younger either.
07:07 So I wouldn't be surprised if they look to add a centre back in, because at the moment, Dickey's out as well.
07:11 They've only actually got one fit centre back, which is Zach Viner.
07:15 So I think that other than the striker, the positions that Liam Manning will probably look to bring players in is at centre back,
07:22 potentially centre midfield if Williams and James don't get offered new deals, and maybe a goalkeeper as well,
07:29 because Max O'Leary has been one of their best players this season, but they don't really have a number two.
07:34 It's kind of all on him.
07:36 Stefan Bajic is the number two at the moment, but he hasn't featured really for Bristol City, just for the 21s.
07:43 So, yeah, centre back will be the priority other than the striker, I'd say.
07:48 Harry, Bristol Rovers not going through a great period at the moment.
07:53 Not many goals being scored, not many wins being gained, no three points for a little while.
07:58 So with the press conference in the lead up to the weekend's match against Cheltenham yesterday, what was said?
08:05 It was a mixed one, to be fair, from Matt Taylor.
08:09 He protected his players, in fairness to the gaffer.
08:12 Obviously, the players are going through a really, really tough time at the moment.
08:16 They're winless in seven and goalless in seven.
08:20 But he also feels that the team and the players specifically are a bit disjointed.
08:25 There's not that cohesion that he has, I think he's experienced at previous clubs, like, for example,
08:30 Exeter City, where he's a bit of a legend down there.
08:33 So it was a mixed bag from him, to be honest with you.
08:37 And so given that, do you think that he's, I mean, obviously you mentioned he's a legend at Exeter City there.
08:46 Is it an easy fix at Bristol Rovers or is it something that is going to take time and the summer will do them good?
08:53 It's definitely not an easy fix, I wouldn't suggest.
08:55 Of course, they sacked Joey Barton back in October of this season.
09:01 They've got new ownership, a new co-owner Hussain Al-Said, who's come in and it's definitely stamped his authority, let's say.
09:13 They've built a new stand, the south stand behind the goal.
09:18 Obviously, a new manager.
09:19 And with that, he's brought in his own coaching staff over a period of time throughout his tenure so far this season.
09:27 So it's not going to be an easy fix.
09:29 You've got six loanees that you'd imagine will all go back to their parent club permanently.
09:36 And then you've got 12 players at least out of contract this summer.
09:39 So it's going to be a huge turnaround in the summer, I think.
09:44 You mentioned Matt Taylor defended his players there.
09:46 Do you think that was needed and do you think, given the fact that they're not performing well, just a bit of support from the manager could do them the world of good?
09:54 Or do you think actually criticism might have also helped give them a bit of a kick?
10:00 Yeah, I think you've got the classic two types of players.
10:03 You've got the one where it's the arm over the shoulder, tell them how brilliant they are and that will hopefully rejuvenate their form.
10:11 And then you've got the other one, the classic kind of the kick up the backside sort of player.
10:16 But I think he's still learning how his players react to his style and his impetus, I think.
10:24 But certainly, I think yesterday in the press conference, he defended his players.
10:30 He said how proud he was of how hard they were working despite the poor run of form at the moment.
10:35 So I think, like I say, he's still learning as a manager on the job with these players, albeit that at least 50 percent of them won't be there next season.
10:45 And so looking ahead to the weekend, it is Cheltenham Town against Bristol Rovers.
10:51 What are we expecting in this game?
10:53 Oh, wow. Cheltenham, who are the hosts, they have only won one out of their last 11, I think, in the league, with Rovers obviously winning this in seven.
11:06 So both teams struggling for form.
11:08 Cheltenham are in the relegation zone and they're at home and they're fighting for their lives at two points above the relegation.
11:15 Sorry, below the relegation drop.
11:17 So, yeah, it's on them really, because Rovers, there's been accusations that they're on the beach.
11:23 I think that's unfair because they are.
11:26 They're definitely safe. They're not going to go down and they're mid-table.
11:29 They're not going to obviously make the playoff.
11:31 So it's going to be an interesting one.
11:33 But Rovers need a goal because it was pretty toxic on Tuesday.
11:38 They lost 2-0 at home to Reading.
11:41 There was boos at half-time, boos at full-time.
11:44 It was quite tough to see, actually.
11:47 And so looking ahead to the week after that, should they get three points on Saturday and the goal drought and the winless drought?
11:56 You mentioned players being accused of being on the beach there.
11:58 Do you think that would quash those thoughts?
12:03 I think so, yes.
12:05 You know, they just they need a goal.
12:07 The confidence is rock bottom.
12:09 They're playing at Cheltenham townside.
12:11 There's Darrell Clark at the wheel. He's obviously a former manager at Bristol Rovers.
12:16 Arguably in their top three greatest managers of all time, Darrell Clark, for what he did at the club.
12:21 So if Rovers were to go to Cheltenham and get a result and score at least a goal,
12:26 I think that's a big achievement because a Darrell Clark side is not an easy team to play against.
12:32 And so anything else coming up in the week for Bristol Rovers or is it simply just a case of as we're nearing the end of the season,
12:38 it is just getting those matches complete and more building towards the summer?
12:43 Yeah, I think it's very much a building towards the summer now.
12:47 I think if you'd ask the vast majority of the fan base, they would happily have the season end today.
12:55 But obviously the manager, I think he's probably in a similar boat,
12:59 but obviously he can't say anything like that as a professional manager.
13:05 They've got Cheltenham this weekend and then they play at home on Tuesday night, at home to Cambridge United.
13:11 So there's still four games to go, you know, 12 points to play for as a manager would say.
13:16 So, but yeah, I think like you say, they are kind of looking towards the summer now.
13:21 They've got George Friend, who started as a player at the start of the season, obviously a veteran in the game.
13:28 He's had to hang his boots up, but he's moved into a recruitment role.
13:32 So he is very busy, the former Middlesbrough man behind the scenes trying to get things in place for the summer in terms of ins and outs.
13:41 And finally, you mentioned new ownership there. What are the aims of this ownership?
13:45 Obviously, you mentioned it could be a busy summer, lots of recruitment, perhaps players coming and going.
13:51 Where does this new ownership want to see Bristol City in both the short term and the long term future?
13:58 Well, the new ownership are, they're very much, they want big things.
14:05 They've built this new South stand, as I mentioned.
14:08 It's quite an impressive stand compared to the rest of the ground, if I'm honest.
14:13 And their ambition is Championship football.
14:16 They believe that this club can make the Championship.
14:21 Obviously, at the moment, they're miles off it, if I'm honest. They're 17th in the division.
14:29 But yeah, we'll have to see what happens. It's been a tricky one.
14:32 They signed Kamil Conte from Grimsby Town in January.
14:36 He came in for a reported ÂŁ350,000 fee, which is a lot of money at League One level, especially for a club like Rovers.
14:43 And he's hit the ground running in Fairness Storm.
14:45 He's a 21-year-old, holding a fielder that can drive with the ball.
14:49 He's been a great signing. So that's the sort of player that they need, you know, but just in different positions.
14:55 They lost Aaron Collins, who was League One player of the year last year.
14:59 He went to Bortle Wondres in January for three quarters of a million pounds, which is a huge sale for the club.
15:05 So you'd think they'd be looking to reinvest that into the group of players come the summer.