Bristol City

Gary Owers
Former Bristol City player and BBC Radio Bristol summariser

Image source, Rex Features

City were dominant against Watford on Saturday - they were outstanding, they were comfortable, and they deserved to be comfortable at half-time.

They took a little bit of a backward step in the second half which allowed Watford to build a little more confidence, make one or two es in central areas.

And all of a sudden Louza picked out Doumbia on the edge of the box, one turn and shot and City were heading towards the closing stages of the game a little bit nervous.

The atmosphere at the start of the game and the atmosphere at the end... it's the first time I sensed that the City fans really believe that we're in this now, we're in this seriously and we've got an absolutely brilliant chance of finishing in the top six.

The roar for the two goals in the first half was incredible, but the best moment of the game for me was in the second half near the end when George Earthy made that tackle and the crowd absolutely erupted.

Moments like that stick in your mind.

Image source, Rex Features

Bristol City forward Nahki Wells is having a "really strong season", says manager Liam Manning, who has praised the example the striker sets within the team.

Wells scored his ninth league goal of the campaign and set up another as Bristol City beat Watford 2-1 to move into the Championship play-off places.

The 34-year-old is the oldest player in the Robins squad and the only player over the age of 30.

"He's having a really strong season when you look at his goal return and beyond that his performance level has been excellent as well," Manning told BBC Radio Bristol.

"He's the only senior [player] we've got in the group - Rob's [Dickie] the next one - but he does an outstanding job of every day bringing energy, staying calm, role modelling what you want from a professional."

Image source, Rex Features

Bristol City manager Liam Manning praised his side's game management after the 2-1 win over play-off rivals Watford.

Manning told BBC Radio Bristol: "I love working with the lads. I'm proud of them.

"I thought the lads were outstanding. I'm delighted to get the three points and so many positive aspects from the performance as well.

"You look at the profile of [Watford], you know it's going to be a really physical tough game and especially as they've got some talented individuals that can change it in a moment.

"You have to manage that by taking care of the ball and I think first-half was excellent as to how we did that. We kept them penned in.

"Second half was one of those where they had a lot of the ball but didn't carry as much threat as we did on the counter. It's that stage of the season where it's about finding a way to win and we did it."

Bristol City host Watford in a game which could have a significant impact on the play-off race on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Liam Manning's men sit eighth but outside the top six on goal difference alone, with fifth-placed Coventry only two points ahead.

A win would take the Robins seven points clear of the ninth-placed Hornets with six games remaining, but defeat would close the gap to just a point in a congested battle for the two final play-off spots.

• Bristol City have won just two of their past 11 league games against Watford (D5 L4), a 2-0 home win in January 2013 and a 4-1 away victory in December 2023.

• Watford are looking to complete a league double over Bristol City for the first time since the 1998-99 campaign.

• Bristol City have won seven of their past nine home league matches (D1 L1) and have only conceded five goals across these games.

• Watford scored fewer goals than any other side in the Championship in March (2), despite having the sixth-most shots of any side (64).

• Only Middlesbrough's Finn Azaz (77) has created more chances in the Championship this season than Watford's Giorgi Chakvetadze (73).

Image source, Rex Features

Bristol City midfielder Mark Sykes insists the Robins are desperate to have something to play for at the end of the season as they continue their chase for a play-off place.

The eighth-placed Robins are level on points with West Bromwich Albion in sixth and two points behind Coventry in fifth, despite last weekend's loss at Burnley.

They take on Watford on Saturday - a club one place and four points below them - in their first of seven games remaining.

"We've given ourselves a right chance of being up there in the mix with seven to go, of course we're allowed to be excited," Sykes told BBC Radio Bristol.

"That's what we play football for to be in amongst it. We don't want to, come the end of the season or with a few games left, not be playing for anything, so we've got to put things right this weekend and I think we're in a good position to do so."

Sykes, whose contract with the club was extended through to the end of 2026 in February, ed Bristol City in 2022.

"There's been a few mid-table finishes since I've signed, this year's a bit different but that's a good thing," Sykes said.

"We want to be up there - the tough games are coming, but we've got to beat the teams around us definitely and see where we end up."

Gary Owers
Former Bristol City player and BBC Radio Bristol summariser

Image source, Rex Features

City dug in there against Burnley and had one or two outstanding individuals at the back - Rob Dickie in particular. They were brave, they got important blocks in, they got interceptions in.

There will be an element of disappointment because when the goal came, it was a set play. But at the top end of the pitch - and there's no shame because Burnley are watertight at the back, we know that - they didn't really cause too many problems.

They've just come up against a really good team. If you say, 'is there a gap between where City currently are and the top of the division in Leeds, Sheffield United and Burnley">