Create 'party atmosphere' at Ashton Gate - Manning
Bristol City have won 10 out of their past 12 Championship matches at Ashton Gate
- Published
Liam Manning has called on Bristol City fans to create a "party atmosphere" at Ashton Gate on Saturday as they try and seal a Championship play-off spot for the first time in 17 years.
The Robins take on Preston North End at home knowing a win would secure them fifth in the table and a shot at Premier League promotion for the first time since 2007-08.
Bristol City's home form has been a huge reason for their surge up the table in 2025 and they face the Lilywhites having won 10 of their past 12 home matches.
"That would be my message, turn up and make it a right atmosphere, turn it into a party atmosphere, get behind the lads," Manning told BBC Radio Bristol.
"It's the final one of the season, it's been quite a while since club's had something to play for like we've got on the weekend so make the most of it, enjoy the memory, get behind the lads and give everything."
Liam Manning is the sixth-longest serving manager in the Championship having been in charge of Bristol City since November 2023
Manning stressed his message to the players would be no different going into the game than it is to the fans.
He also urged them to focus purely on the match itself, rather than being sidetracked by the consequences of the result.
"We've done terrifically well at home - turn up, run as hard as you can, fight as hard as you can, play with real purpose, with bravery and go and do us and get it over the line," Manning added.
"We have to live in the present, we have to play the game and not the potential outcome or the fear of it going wrong, or the excitement and buzz of it going right.
"You have to deal with it once the game's done and concentrate on doing all the bits we've done so many times so well this season."
With sixth-placed Coventry playing Middlesbrough in eighth, Millwall facing title-chasing Burnley and Blackburn Rovers away at third-placed Sheffield United, there are a number of scenarios that could still see Bristol City into the top six even if they do not win.
Manning said there will be staff monitoring the other matches on Saturday but he would only want to know scores elsewhere "when he needs" to.
"The energy has to go into us winning on Saturday," he said.
"Whatever the outcome of the game, the weekend, I'm desperate to do it, but I couldn't be more proud of the group with the season they've had to date."