Bristol City: Liam Manning reveals what makes the Robins ‘special’

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.”