Manning reveals what makes Bristol City 'special'

Bristol City are in their 10th successive season in the Championship, having previously not finished higher than eighth in that time

Liam Manning has labelled his Bristol City squad a "special group" who helped him through the personal tragedy of losing his baby son Theo.

Of the four teams to have reached the Championship play-offs, the Robins can be considered outsiders of the quartet, beyond the fact they finished sixth in the table, 22 points behind semi-final opponents Sheffield United.

At the start of the season, bookmakers had them eighth favourites for relegation, while sports analysts Opta were a little more generous in forecasting a 10th-place finish, and City spent just 38 days in the top six as an eight-match unbeaten home run from February onwards propelled them into contention.

Manning's squad is not filled with star names. Their wage bill and transfer spend are decidedly mid-range in the division, and the head coach himself is a low-key character who steadfastly refuses to accept any individual praise, constantly referring back to his players and coaching staff.

At the heart of their success so far is that sense of togetherness, selflessness and resilience, typified by how the club rallied around Manning after Theo's death in October.

Liam Manning celebrates Bristol City's place in the Championship play-offs with son Isaac

Manning has previously admitted he was close to walking away from the job following his family's loss and, in the wake of the 2-2 draw with Preston North End said he "wouldn't be sat here if it wasn't for that group - I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have carried on".

"Them as people," Manning told BBC Sport when asked what makes his squad "special".

"When you look at it, what they have been through as well - honest, hard-working, putting the team ahead of themselves – we don't have any real egos or arrogance.

"It sounds easy, but it's difficult because they all want to play; they all have their own agendas; they all have ambitions, but to sacrifice yourself for the team is the most powerful thing you can do.

"The lads are all-in, you can see that. And I said it to them before [Preston], irrespective of the outcome, I couldn't be more thankful for what they have got me through, but also more proud of what they've achieved.

"It's not been easy, it's been difficult. The fact they've kept fighting, they've kept working. I never have to speak to them in training about how they apply themselves.

"Most groups, every few weeks you'll have to get into them about driving a standard. They're a fantastic group to work with, and they deserve all the plaudits that rightly should come their way."

Saturday's celebrations were especially poignant as Manning was joined on the Ashton Gate pitch by seven-year-old son Isaac and wife Fran, and the 39-year-old admitted he "nearly cried about three times".

"Huge amount of credit to the lads in terms of distracting me, allowing me to stay focused," Manning added. "What they've done for me, I'm eternally grateful for that.

"It was special to have Isaac out there with me. My wife is incredible, how tough she is and what she's done for me. It was a special moment for me and my family."

'Phenomenal' Knight is Robins role model

Jason Knight made his 100th appearance for Bristol City in the 2-2 draw against Preston

The collective culture that runs through the squad, established by predecessor Nigel Pearson and built on by Manning in such impressive fashion, is exemplified by captain Jason Knight.

The winner of three player of the season awards on Saturday, the Republic of Ireland international has been one of the best central midfielders in the Championship this term and the most durable, as he is among only six players to have played every minute of the season; team-mates Max O'Leary and Zak Vyner are also in that group.

A relentless presence in the middle of the park, on both sides of the ball, no player in the second tier has won possession more times (293) than the 24-year-old, who has completed his second season in red following his arrival from Derby County.

"Phenomenal, love him to bits, think he's first class," Manning added. "He has a huge career ahead of him. Just everything about him hit us on day one, walking through the building - he just role-models everything you want.

"He's really added the leadership and the voice in the changing room; he's really grown that over the course of the season. His game understanding has massively improved.

"He's a dream to work with and is one of those that is so driven and is exactly what we want."

Nahki Wells has been with Bristol City since January 2020

City's first appearance in the Championship play-offs since 2008 – when they lost in the final to Dean Windass-inspired Hull – has also been achieved without the same level of individual goal threat as their rivals.

Anis Mehmeti is top scorer with 12 but has not found the target since 8 March, while the only other player in double figures is 34-year-old Nahki Wells on 10.

Summer signing Fally Mayulu struggled to adapt to the Championship and was loaned to Sturm Graz in January, while the inconsistent Sinclair Armstrong has largely been used as an impact substitute.

As Middlesbrough brought in Kelechi Iheanacho and Morgan Whittaker (while selling Emmanuel Latte Lath) in January, West Brom loaned Adam Armstrong and Will Lankshear, and Blackburn signed Augustus Kargbo, there was considerable clamour for another striker from the City fanbase.

Yet Manning had to work with what was remaining in the building, effectively then making them better with less.

They were one of only three clubs not to make a signing in the winter window, but the Robins finished as the eighth-highest scorers in the league.

"Anis and Nahki have got a good return, but if you become dependent on one player, you're in trouble because the second they stop scoring, where do you get the goals from?" Manning said.

"Nahki has been first class in what we've asked him to do and how many games he's played, his minutes at the age he's at. That, to a certain extent, when you look at it, is how well the lads have done to achieve what they have.

"We have been stretched, especially in the last three to four games. We've had to manage people and manage injuries. We've done a very good job of getting through a challenging period."