How Have Bristol City Become The Championship’s Dark Horses?

For most, the March international break offers a period of rejuvenation and organisation. However, for a team who have not lost a match in their last seven and are set to face the best defensive side in the league, a pause of momentum is the last thing they would want.

Bristol City have well and truly settled themselves in the Championship amidst their continuing ten-year stint. They are team that are always just there and about middle-ground of the second tier, without stepping on anyone else’s toes.

A change of tune this season has seen the Robins escape boundaries they thought were insurmountable, in attempt to mark their name down for the Championship playoffs – an achievement that would certainly make the red half of Bristol crack open their cold cans of cider.

But how have Bristol City got to where they are?

The Story So Far

The Robins have not stepped foot in a Championship playoff campaign since they were unsuccessful in the 2007/08 season. From that point, the South West has witnessed 14 second division seasons for City, with the highest finish being eighth.

It cannot go on forever, but nobody knew which way it would end – up or down. As this footballing year grinds to a halt, people are gauging an abstract idea of which way Bristol City are heading. Seventh position and level on points with West Brom in sixth, City are edging ever so near to those destined playoff spots. Embarking on these final eight games, the Robins are on a brilliant run of form - only losing two league games since Christmas. However, unfortunately for them, most of the teams around them are also picking up points consistently. West Brom are uneaten in their last six and Coventry, who are two points better off than Bristol City, have won ten matches of their last 12 under Frank Lampard.

No Championship side outside the top 6 has won more points since Christmas than Bristol City. pic.twitter.com/65yHUH1OF4

— Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) March 4, 2025

Manager Liam Manning has certainly turned on the heat this season in the South West. In October, the Robins were occupying 14th as it looked to be another mediocre campaign ahead of them. Amongst an abundance of playoff competition, Bristol City have managed to squeeze through the cracks and work their magic in the background. City have picked up 30 points in their last 16 matches since Boxing Day, which is already a greater tally than the 27 they achieved in their first 22 matches of the season.

The Robins have made a habit out of drawing games; with 15 this season, it has helped chip in with their points total. However, to sneak in the top six in these last matches will require a lot more. They have some difficult fixtures lined up, having to play four of the top six teams - including automatic promotion chasing Burnley in their next match and table-topping Leeds in a few weeks.

All eyes on Turf Moor. pic.twitter.com/WRvyYrFKUu

— Bristol City FC (@BristolCity) March 28, 2025

Liam Manning

For a man who is only 40 years old, Liam Manning has built up quite the managerial portfolio. This is his tenth year in coaching, having some impressive stints in English football.

The East Anglian had coached West Ham’s youth, before getting his first senior position for Lommel SK in Belgium. This earned Manning his big break in England, as he signed for MK Dons in 2021 and guided them to third with 89 points in League One, though unfortunately falling at the playoff hurdle. Less than a year later, he was picked up by Oxford United, where he shone in his second with the U’s. This rewarded him with the jump up to Championship’s Bristol City in November 2023.

📣 We are delighted to announce Liam Manning as Head Coach on a contract until June 2027.

Read more: 👇

— Bristol City FC (@BristolCity) November 7, 2023

When arriving in Bristol, Manning was challenged with project of taking City to the Premier League promised land. Just over a year into his journey, he is certainly on the right track given the league position. In control of the Robins, Manning has implemented his hard-working, high possession football as well as his innate ability to nurture young talent and improve them. Tactics that are definitely taking their course, as Bristol City keep heading on an upwards trajectory.

Despite his best efforts, Liam Manning has not yet experienced a promotion in management. Narrowly missing out on automatic promotion with MK Dons on the final day was as close as the coach has got. Furthermore, with the hope of playoffs materialising for Bristol City, Manning will be desperate for a different result of what he experienced with the Dons in 2022.

A Complete Team

Bristol City are a team stacked with quality across the field. The Robins do not necessarily have one player who stands out from the bunch, they have a range of marquee players who have each been just as crucial to the team.

Anis Mehmeti is an Albanian international who has been firing for Bristol City this season. City’s top scorer, he has tripled his numbers from last year with twelve goals, demonstrating how Liam Manning has bolstered the 24-year-old’s development. This is Mehmeti’s highest scoring season to date, outperforming his incredible first half of the season with Wycombe Wanderers in 2022/23.

You cannot talk about Bristol City without mentioning Jason Knight. Club captain and arguably City’s best player, the midfielder has been a nuisance for opposition in each third of the pitch this season. Another 24-year-old, Knight shows defensive excellence every time he plays. The Irishman has an inclusion of attacking threat in his game also, as he has picked up a respectable eight goal contributions this campaign. Knight signed from then League One side Derby County in 2023 and has since flourished under Liam Manning’s management, vastly improving his game output internationally for Ireland additionally.

🎯 The players who have played the most successful passes inside the final third in the Championship this season:

1️⃣: Hayden Hackney - 641
2️⃣: Jason Knight - 558
3️⃣: Matt Grimes - 519
4️⃣: Giorgi Chakvetadze - 509#BristolCity #PUSB #BORO #WatfordFC pic.twitter.com/vTx6IhTCkt

— The Championship Chat Podcast (@Champchatpod24) March 27, 2025

This is now Rob Dickie’s sixth English professional club and another he has impressed at. The 29-year-old has had experiences at the likes of Reading, QPR and Oxford – making over 350 appearances in the Football League. Once again, another member of Bristol City’s class of 2023, Dickie has been a rock in the back line and a key part of the Robins ten clean sheets this season.

Will They Get Playoffs?

With eight games remaining, nobody knows how the Championship table will look when the final whistles are blown on May 3rd. Bristol City look to bounce off this two-week break in pursuit to get their form back underway. They scraped a 2-1 win against a strong Norwich City in their last game. However, when facing Scott Parker’s Burnley tomorrow, the Lancashire force could easily derail City’s immaculate form.

When Bristol City appointed Liam Manning, they layed out a long-term project. The manager is certainly taking the Robins in the direction they would like to go, although promotion is not as easy as just aiming for a playoff spot.