MANNING ON A MISSION FROM START
BY DANIEL MARSH BRISTOL CITY boss Liam Manning wants to see improvements across the board after overseeing his first pre-season in the south west.
Manning, 38, succeeded Nigel Pearson last November and managed to steer City to a top-half finish.
But Bristol City are among the clubs expected to push for top-six this term after strengthening in the transfer window.
And Manning is expecting to see progress on multiple fronts.
Speaking ahead of today’s (SAT) season opener against Hull, Manning said: “We had a strong finish to last season.
“It was the highest for the club in quite a while and it’s now about bettering that.
“It’s not just about improving the league position.
“It’s about improving everything. The position, the points, the goals scored, fewer goals conceded, all the key metrics.”
Manning’s teams are renowned for playing attractive, expansive football and he admits it was difficult coming in pre-season.
But after making a positive impact last term, he’s hoping for more – even if there is no guarantee of success given the unpredictability of the Championship.
He adds: “Some teams in the Championship ended up having three or four managers last year, so it’s obviously a very difficult industry to come in and get your ideas across straight away.
“I know a lot of people have said it. But this is a club with huge potential.
“In such a difficult division, it becomes a case of how do you turn that potential into consistent performances and results?
“That’s the bit that we’re working hard to try and achieve.”