Sensible, stable ol' Bristol City

Liam Manning on the 'no-brainer' of a decision that sets Bristol City up for the new season
Jason Knight will lead the Bristol City team out against Hull City at the MKM Stadium on Saturday

Liam Manning admits the decision to name Jason Knight Bristol City captain for the 2024/25 season was a “no-brainer” as the Irishman symbolises everything he wants from his squad, on and off the field.

Knight will wear the armband on a full-time basis for the forthcoming campaign, with centre-back Rob Dickie appointed vice skipper, but it’s not a new role for the 23-year-old midfielder given he led the team on 12 occasions last term when Matty James was injured.

With the veteran leaving the club in the summer, along with Andi Weimann, Knight was the natural successor even if 15 of his teammates are older than him. The average age of the 17 other confirmed captains in the Championship is 29.7, with Knight the youngest and Leeds United’s Ethan Ampadu - seven months older - his only rival in that capacity.

This speaks volumes for the esteem Knight is held in among the squad and within the coaching staff, as his tenacity and commitment on the field is matched by his communication and desire off it, and his ability to transfer what Manning wants in terms of attitude and application onto the pitch, meant there was never really any debate as to who would succeed James.

He’ll be supported by some of the more experienced members of the squad - although Knight, if he stays fit, should break the 250 senior appearance barrier this season - with Dickie, Joe Williams and Kal Naismith also part of the dressing room.

“I think I made it quite clear when Andi left in January and Jamo stepped up as captain, and made Knighty vice captain. He obviously had a taste of it last year in terms of when Jamo wasn’t playing,” Manning said.

“It’s the old cliche, we run a leadership group and he’s fundamental to that. The bit I love about him, he just steps up and takes responsibility in any situation. There’s no airs and graces, there’s no ego involved with Knighty.

“He does everything you want, he role-models everything you want, he’s fully committed to everything - he epitomises everything you want as a professional.

“So, for me, it’s a no-brainer and when you look around it, he’s got some terrific people supporting him. We’ve obviously made Rob Dickie vice captain, but then beyond that when you look at Nahki, Joe Williams, Naisy at the minute, you’ve got some really experienced good people and good professionals supporting him. It’s definitely a collective but Knighty epitomises everything we want.”

Knight’s tactical role will certainly come into focus at the MKM Stadium on Saturday as City kick off the season against Hull City. The Robins remained set on adding a playmaker, with Scott Twine remaining their primary target, but with the 25-year-old still a Burnley player, something that’s likely to remain the case for the weekend, exactly who plays in the No10 position is unclear.

Knight spent much of last season filling in there, following the sale of Alex Scott, with mixed results, but Twine’s arrival on loan saw him retreat into a deeper role alongside Williams, where he flourished towards the end of 2023/24. Manning’s desire to see him play that position was indicated early on, when he started against QPR at Loftus Road in his first game in charge, but needs must soon meant he was thrust further forward.

There are echoes of that situation now in summer 2024, as Twine remains unsigned and very much still a Burnley player, although Knight did start the final pre-season friendly against Willem II in a midfield pairing with Max Bird. Manning opted for Wells and then Sam Bell in secondary striker roles, before Bird and then substitute Josh Stokes adopted a more advanced midfield position.

Williams is expected to be available for the weekend, which means he could slot into the base of midfield, pushing Knight forward again, or Manning could stick to the similar system and personnel he deployed against the Dutch.

“Obviously we played him in the deeper position at the back-end of last season and I think he’s really progressed,” Manning added. “I know I played him there first game when I came in against QPR and he ran everywhere, but when you look at it now, he’s come on masses in terms of his positional play, his game understanding but still how and when to impose his strengths. His energy is phenomenal and I think he gives it to you in a different way when he plays slightly deeper but I wouldn’t rule anything out.

“I probably like him more deeper now but I know what he can give you higher up in terms of how incredible he was in triggering a press when he played in the 10. When I look at it, we’ve got the option of doing both.”

Speaking on Wednesday, Manning indicated his starting XI wasn’t quite yet finalised with obvious dilemmas in midfield, across the advanced forward line, and who will lead the attack between Armstrong, Wells and new signing Fally Mayulu.

“We did 11vs11 on Tuesday and Wednesday but we mix it up and we coach everybody in it so that when called upon, or when they step in, everyone is quite clear on their role or when we’re playing, what we want to do,” Manning said.

“I’m a lot closer now in my head as to what it looks like on Saturday but, at the same point, that doesn’t mean I won’t be staring at the ceiling at three in the morning, tonight and tomorrow night, questioning everything. We’re obviously so invested in it that we try do everything we can to get it right.”
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/liam-manning-decision-bristol-city-9468971

 

I like this 'It’s definitely a collective but Knighty epitomises everything we want.” good to know we have a leader on the pitch and playing in the right area for a captain.

 

Sensible, stable ol' Bristol City aim to break a cycle that resembles both success and failure
Bristol City have largely been a middling Championship outfit since returning to the division in 2015 but there is optimism and a feeling of opportunity that 2024/25 could be something different

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/sensible-stable-ol-bristol-city-9471644