Bristol City have been handed flattering praise from Queens Park Rangers head coach Marti Cifuentes after the sides’ fixture this weekend at Ashton Gate.
The Robins had been on a decent run of form heading into Saturday’s clash at home against a relegation-threatened QPR. Impressive consecutive wins over promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough and Southampton moved Liam Manning’s side to within four points of the final playoff spot.
However, Bristol City failed to extend their winning streak to three matches as Cifuentes’ men came away with all three points. Ilias Chair’s goal a few minutes before half-time was the difference between the two teams and sealed a big win for the London outfit.
We know you wanted to see this again ⏪
Some goal it would’ve been 🤤 pic.twitter.com/CwBmMK1bzo
— QPR FC (@QPR) February 18, 2024
To add insult to injury, Coventry City, Norwich City and Hull City all picked up victories at the weekend and are level on 51 points for sixth place, separated only by goal difference, leaving the Robins seven points behind in the race.
Nevertheless, speaking after the game, QPR boss Cifuentes heaped huge praise on Manning’s men, labelling City as “one of the best in the league” at pressing and counterpressing [quotes via Bristol Live]:
“Bristol is a very good team with a clear identity. They are very good on counterpressing, on pressing high.
“They beat Southampton showing the quality they have, one of the best teams in the league Southampton, I’m sure that they are pushing for the playoffs because they are a very good side,” he continued.
“On the build-up, we changed a little bit for this game because I think that Bristol [City] is one of the best teams, if not the best in the league when it comes to high press and counter press.”
Bristol City have the chance to get back on track with winnable fixtures coming up against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough, followed by a home clash with Cardiff City.
Writer’s View
The biggest turnaround from Nigel Pearson’s time in charge to now is the overall overhaul in the team’s style of play. Manning wants his plays to be proactive on the ball and hunt it down in packs once possession is lost.
The defeat to QPR at the weekend was a set back but if Bristol City put another two wins together over the next two weeks, the club will be back in contention for a playoff finish, showcasing how good a job the head coach has done since taking the reins back in November.
Deputy Head of Writing