Preview | Bristol City (A)
The Game
Bristol City v Argyle. Ashton Gate. Saturday, 30 November. 3pm. Sky Bet Championship.
The Opposition
Bristol City are 12th in the Championship table, with 22 points from 17 games. The Robins began with a draw at Hull City, followed by a 4-3 home win over Millwall and a home draw with Coventry City.
Bristol City's first defeat was a 3-0 win at Derby County, followed by a loss by the same scoreline at Blackburn Rovers. City then went unbeaten in eight, but won just three of these games: 2-1 at home to Oxford United, 2-0 at Middlesbrough and 3-1 at Preston North End. They drew games with Swansea City, Sheffield Wednesday, Cardiff City, Stoke City and Leeds United.
A 2-1 defeat at home to Sheffield United ended the unbeaten run, but was followed by a 2-0 win at Norwich City. In the two games played this week, Bristol City have lost both by a 1-0 scoreline, against Burnley at home and Watford away.
The Gaffer
Liam Manning's playing career saw him begin as an apprentice at Ipswich Town, but play exclusively in non-league. By the time he was 30, Manning was head coach of West Ham's Under-23 side, having coached in Ipswich's academy, and his coaching career was sharply on the rise.
He joined City Football Group, taking jobs at New York City FC, as Academy Director and Director of Coaching, as well as having a stint as manager of Lommel, in Belgium.
At the start of 2021/22, Manning took the job in charge of Milton Keynes Dons, and in his first season guided them to third place, losing in the play-off semi-final to Wycombe Wanderers. Losing several key players in that summer, Manning was sacked during the 2022/23 season.
In March 2023, he resurfaced at Oxford United, presiding over a strong end to the season for the U's in League One, and when by November he had Oxford sitting second, he caught the eye of Bristol City, who spirited him away to Ashton Gate.
The Squad
Former Argyle loan defender Zak Vyner (below) is one of three players to have started every league game this season. Now 27, Vyner has spent his entire career as a Bristol City player, with loans out to Accrington Stanley, Argyle, Rotherham United and Aberdeen. The centre-back has now played over 200 games for the Robins.
Jason Knight has also be an ever-present this season for Bristol City. The 23-year-old has scored one goal from midfield, in this his second season at Ashton Gate. He also played every league game last term. Dublin-born Knight was at Derby County from the age of 16, and played 166 times for the Rams. He has also played 35 times for Ireland.
Nahki Wells is City's leading goalscorer this season, with five league goals. For the first nine games of the season he found himself on the bench usually making an introduction, and scoring once in that time. Lately, the 34-year-old former Bradford City, Huddersfield Town and Burnley forward has been in the starting line-up, scoring twice against Stoke, and getting goals in the victories over Preston and Norwich.
Last Season’s Meetings
Argyle's 4-1 loss at Ashton Gate, in the seventh game of last season, was a low point during 2023/24. City scored after three and nine minutes through Sam Bell and Matty James respectively and although Adam Randell got one back, a Mark Sykes goal made it 3-1 by half-time. Harry Cornick rounded off the scoring in the second half.
At Home Park, in April, the Robins completed the double, winning 1-0 through a Nahki Wells goal near the hour mark, in a game in which Alfie Devine was sent off in the second half.
A Strip for the Trip
Argyle will wear their white away Kit for this game.
Argyle TV
Argyle TV’s coverage will begin at 10am, with Argyle Breakfast, as Erin Black and Aaron Cusack will once again have a series of guests and features on the week at Home Park.
The Pre-Match Show will start at 2.30pm, hosted by Alex Wood, who will be joined by Marc Edworthy. Commentary will be provided from Ashton Gate by Charlie Price and Jon Beswetherick.
Match passes to watch this game are available only to international audiences. Click here for more information.
