Bristol City can have no play-off regrets - Manning

Liam Manning's Bristol City finished sixth in the regular season

Bristol City boss Liam Manning accepts his side will be underdogs in their Championship play-off semi-final with Sheffield United, but wants them to have "no regrets".

City face the Blades at Ashton Gate on Thursday (20:00 BST) after securing a top six spot for the first time since 2008. They then travel to Bramall Lane for the second leg on Monday.

Manning insists he will not adapt his tactics for the tie despite being outsiders, but challenged his players to give it their all.

"We don't change how we approach anything," Manning told BBC Radio Bristol.

"We know the level of opposition we are up against, we know we are underdogs. There is a different level of expectation but it's an opportunity for us to surprise some people. Whatever happens we want to have no regrets.

"We know what we are capable of. If we are clear on what we are trying to do and have an element of toughness to us that will stand us in good stead in the two games.

"We have 180 minutes of football to try and get there. All the grind, the marathon you have to go through it is a release and a relief now."

Manning understands that the Blades, who finished third having challenged Leeds United and Burnley for automatic promotion, are expected to win and reach the Wembley final, but insists City can cause an upset.

In November, the Robins were leading Chris Wilder's side at Ashton Gate until the 86th minute only to concede two late goals and finish the game with 10 men as Rob Dickie was sent off.

While at Bramall Lane in March, Mark Sykes scored a 90-minute equaliser to earn a point for the visitors.

"We performed well against Sheffield United in the league, they have just missed out on automatic promotion and they have got some hugely talented players," Manning added.

"We know how difficult it will be but we played well against them in the two games.

"Are we capable? Of course we are. Let's relish it, let's go and have a right go, it has been a long time since we were in the play-offs at this level. We haven't achieved anything yet, we are driven and ambitious."

Jason Knight is the only midfielder in the Championship to have played every minute of the season

'This was our aim'

Captain Jason Knight says he joined City from Derby County in 2023 in order to play in the Premier League, and is determined to deliver promotion for the club and city.

"Getting into the play-offs was a big ambition of ours at the start of the season," the Republic of Ireland international midfielder said.

"We've got to take it game by game, we want to win the home leg and try to get a good result in Sheffield. We've got a good group; we won't be fazed by any outcome.

"Coming here a couple ago, [the Premier League] was the goal; we've got a couple of games to show we deserve to be there. The club and city is ready for it.

"Everyone has performed really well this year, the players, fans and staff. We deserve it."

Like Manning, Knight acknowledges Sheffield United's superior quality, but is backing his team-mates to perform after the draw at Bramall Lane in March.

"If you think of the squad they've got and how well they've done this year, they're probably disappointed they didn't go up automatically. It'll be tough but we've played well against them this year," Knight added.

"We want to get to Wembley; that is the goal and we want to try and make that happen."