Tuesday’s victory see’s the Robins fifth, one point above sixth placed Coventry City and three points above Middlesbrough in seventh.
| Position | Team | Played | GD | Points |
| 5. | Bristol City | 41 | +9 | 63 |
| 6. | Coventry | 41 | +5 | 62 |
| 7. | Middlesbrough | 41 | +11 | 60 |
Manager Manning acknowledged the team’s lofty placement but insisted they haven’t done anything yet.
“The noise will get greater but we have to make sure we control our heads and where we’re at,” Manning told BBC Radio Bristol.
“The lads are in a good spot, the key is we haven’t done anything yet. We’ll enjoy tonight, special moment for everybody, but we’ll wake up tomorrow and we have to back it up on Saturday, that’s the key bit.”
The Run In
Bristol City are exactly where they want to be, but that’s where it stops. This run in isn’t easy by any stretch.
Firstly, the Robins travel to QPR in arguably their easiest game for the rest of the season. QPR are practically safe and have lost three out their last five games. A match this team shouldn’t lose and can’t afford to.
The it all starts to heat up. Sunderland come to town the week after in what will most likely be the closest thing to a play-off warm up for the Robins. Both teams will be gunning for a result. The Black Cats know all about going into the end of the season on winning form.
After that there’s a different kind of test. Luton Town away. A team fighting for their lives.
At the time of writing Luton will face Blackburn at home before this game, but they haven’t lost any of their last four at home. Matt Bloomfield is becoming to create a strong atmosphere in the Hatters side that makes that game the definition of difficult.
Following on it’s back to the top of the table. Leeds United. This would be the penultimate game of the season, and I don’t think anyone believes that the top two promotion places will be settled by then. This game speaks for itself.
So, let’s paint the picture. It comes down to the final game of the season and Bristol City are either in the play-offs or still in contention for the top six. The Robins will host Preston North End, a team you’d be forgiven for saying are already on the beach.
Current play-off rivals Middlesbrough host another team after the top six in Coventry City. West Bromwich Albion host Luton Town but their form would suggest they could be out of it and outsiders Millwall, take on top two hopefuls Burnley.
Should Bristol City get down to that final day and be where they need to be, they have the most favourable final day match up but games against Luton and Leeds could really write this team’s story.
The Form Book
Whilst in the Championship the form book often goes out the window, it does make for good reading if you’re in the Robins corner.
Bristol City have the fourth best form in the division having one three of their last five, losing just one game. The only team in the play-off race to better or match their form, is Middlesbrough, who only sit above the Robins in the form table down to goal difference.
It’s been a long season for Bristol City fans as the team took a while to get going. Having stagnated for a long time in the Championship, the team’s faithful were hopeful of a play-off push, and it finally looks like they might get a shot.
“It’s taken a bit of time but we’ve not wavered, we’ve stuck together, we’ve kept working on how we believe we want the team to play and that takes time,” Manning said.
“I think we live in an impatient time where everybody wants things instantly, but you talk about aligning a group of 25 players, that takes time.
“The lads have really bought in, turned up, worked as hard as they can.”
Bristol City’s run in is far from easy but they are hitting that all important form at just the right time. Of course, there is a long way to go and yet the Robins are finding a way to get it done. This team have quietly landed themselves in the top six and as always with this daft league, you better take notice.
