For the last nine seasons, the English Football League (EFL) gods have made sure that Bristol City are condemned to a mid-table finish. An average league position of 14th place since their return to the Championship in 2015 has led fans to believe that the Robins are destined to forever remain a part of England’s second tier.
However, under the guidance of Liam Manning, Cidereds’ supporters have gotten nosebleeds. Their unexpectedly high league position of seventh place does not just break the mould of City being a mid-table club, it leaves them challenging for a playoff position.
The question is, can Bristol City maintain their current league position and end their run of mid-table mediocrity?
Nigel Pearson has laid the foundations for the current success
Former Robins boss Nigel Pearson is partly responsible for the club’s current success. Pearson was at the helm for two and a half years, helping City stabilise after a failed promotion push in 2018/19.
Pearson helped nurture the likes of Antoine Semenyo and Alex Scott, two talented players who departed Bristol in exchange for Bournemouth. City earned over £27m from these departures, allowing the current squad to be assembled.
The former Leicester manager was also given a shoestring transfer budget. In a division where the top clubs can justify eight-figure transfer fees, Pearson did well to avoid a relegation battle.
During his stint in the west country, the 61-year-old achieved 19th, 17th and 14th placed finishes. However, the city board had ambitions of reaching England’s top-flight.
Eventually, Pearson was relieved of his duties by the Robins’ board despite the club sitting in 15th place. A 2-0 loss to Severnside rivals Cardiff City in October 2023 sealed the fate of the manager who laid the foundations for current boss Liam Manning.
How Liam Manning has got the Robins chirping
Manning was appointed by the Cidereds after leaving Oxford United in November 2023. The new boss guided City to an 11th place finish, a familiar sight for the Robins’ fans.
However, in the current campaign, Manning’s side sits in seventh place, a high that has not been achieved in this stage of a season since the tenure of Lee Johnson.
An eight-game unbeaten run from late September to November and a superb turn of form in 2025 have helped the club rise into the higher echelons of the table. Manning has made City a top-ten side in several key metrics.
The Robins are the third-best side at winning the ball in the final third of the pitch. This occurs at an average of 4.2 times per game. City are also put in an average of 11.1 tackles per match, a total that is only bettered by four opponents. Manning has transformed his team into a high-pressing, relentless unit.
Other statistics also highlight that the Cidereds occupy their current position on merit. The 2014/15 League One winners have the Championship’s eighth-best defensive, and goals scored records.
The likes of Scott Twine and Jason Knight have thrived under Manning, as well as top-scorer Anis Mehmeti. The Albanian is having his best campaign in front of goal with his 12 league goals a career high.
The change of manager has had the desired impact for both the club and its fans.
Prediction: How will Bristol City end the season?
The safe bet would be to predict the Robins to finish between 11th and 15th. After all, the club has developed moth-like tendencies to the Championship’s mid-table positions.
However, this season could be different in the west country. Manning has improved his side, but will it be enough to secure a playoff position?
In reality, probably not. The Championship’s top four are most likely set and will compete for the automatic promotion places. Coventry, West Brom, Middlesbrough and Blackburn are the favourites for the remaining two places.
City will finish the campaign just outside the playoffs, but with smart recruitment, the Robins could make the leap into the Premier League next season.
After nine years of mid-table finishes, Bristol City look to be shaking off the tags that have weighed them down for almost a decade.
