OPPO VIEW: BRISTOL CITY

Ahead of Sunderland's Good Friday trip to Bristol, we spoke to Robins analyst Dave Featherstone (A.K.A Fevs) to discuss their surprising league table position, how he thinks this one will go and looking ahead to the play-offs...

Currently 5th in the league, with a four-point cushion in the play-off spots. What's been the story of your season?

A season of two halves really. First half(ish) yielded 27 points from 22 games and mid-table obscurity, and not much identity either. Chopping and changing of players, trying to fit them into positions, etc, led to little consistency... unless you consider 'win one, lose one, draw one' some form of consistency. It seemed like we were as much dictated by the opposition than our own game-plan. And then came Christmas!

A 10-point haul from the four festive games put us on the fringes/in-touch of the play-off mix, but still cautiousness that we’d regress to 'win one, lose one, draw one'. But we’ve strung a fantastic run of 37 points from 20 games since losing 2-0 away at West Brom, and taken points of our rivals with decent regularity too to hamper their hopes.

A slightly more adventurous, slightly more up-tempo style in a back three (3-4-2-1 with two number 10s) seems to have got the best out of the players and we now have it “in our hands”.

I think it's fair to say that not many people expected you guys to be in this position at the start of the season. What's been the key to your success?

As above. Too much play during the first half of the season was ponderous, passing for passing’s sake, playing in a horseshoe that never penetrated in-field. Too much emphasis on control with the ball and sitting in a block, rather than pressing without the ball. We’ve gone from a 56% possession (4th ranked) to 50% possession (11th ranked) without losing how much play we’ve had in the opposition final third. In summary, we’ve cut out a lot of the unnecessary passing in our own third that allowed our opponents to get behind the ball.

What are your thoughts on Head Coach, Liam Manning?

A changed set of thoughts!..

The early-season style typified a “coaching manual’ ideology that doesn’t really translate to the Championship unless you’re a Parachute Payment club who can afford to buy/retain the best players to play what I call “Russell Martin Ball”. And it’s boring as hell to watch when you make a dozen backwards and sideways passes, go nowhere and then lose possession as soon as you attempt to play forward. Okay, that’s an exaggeration, but football fans will know what I mean.

The slightly frustrating thing is that having made a poor(ish) start in his early months, last Easter he changed the approach, and we gave it a bit of a go to finish last season pretty well. But, he reverted to type over pre-season and we were back to square one.

So, back to Christmas, the move to a 3-4-2-1, but importantly, we stopped trying to build every attack from the goalkeeper and also started to play more through the centre of the pitch. Or if we did go wide through our wing-backs, we were able to penetrate back in-field. Our press is dependent on Nahki Wells leading the triggers and when he plays, especially with the smart Max Bird as one of the two 10s, we really put pressure on our opponents in their build-up phase.

It looks like Manning has got to grips with what the Championship is all about. I had no doubt he was an excellent coach on the training pitches, it was more trying to translate that onto the grass where it really matters. And that he seems to have got right. We’ve put in some very good performances of late, e.g. Blackburn Rovers (2-1), Middlesbrough (2-1), Sheffield United (1-1). Credit to Manning and the players.

Anis Mehmeti is your top scorer with 12 goals, what kind of player is he?

He’s an inverted winger slash number 10. Right footed but plays predominately from the left. He likes to dribble, beat his man and get a shot off... but has that typical “frustrating winger” inconsistency about him. In fact, he’s been on the bench a bit recently with George Earthy (West Ham loanee) getting more starts and contributing well.

Other than Mehmeti, who are some of your best players?

Jason Knight in centre-midfield is the heartbeat of the side. Has played every minute of the league season so far, our captain, and on the very small number of occasions he’s underperformed, so have the team.

Nahki Wells: 10 goals, at better than a goal every two games, is belying his 34 years and become so crucial.

Rob Dickie at centre-back has been steady this season but over the past 10-12 games has found last season’s stellar form.

Max Bird has fluctuated from playing alongside Knight to playing alongside Mehmeti or Earthy in the 10 role. He is gradually becoming more influential. Very talented, but you feel there’s more in there.

On the other hand, which Sunderland player worries you the most?

Wilson Isidor! I think his movement is outstanding, and he’ll cause Dickie and Vyner issues on Friday (assuming not rested). I like Dan Neil too. It will be interesting to see him against Knight and who comes out on top. Patrick Roberts always causes our left-backs an issue, even if his end-product isn’t always there. And a final mention to Trai Hume, who rarely gets a mention, but is one of the best fullbacks in the division in my opinion.

And whilst I’m here, RIP Carlton Fairweather. A player I remember from my teens, and as I understand he was a key part of your successful Academy of Light.

What's your score prediction for the game? Who will get the goals?

Gonna sit on the fence and say a one-one draw. Dan Neil and Jason Knight, the scorers.

Where do you predict both sides to finish? Will we meet again in the play-offs?

You will get 4th, that’s a given, and I think we will get 6th, so I think Wembley is the venue for the re-match! Fingers crossed.

Finally, where should the travelling Sunderland fans head for a pre-match pint?

I’ve had to rely on others here, so I’ll name and shame them in the process! They are all contributors to the OSIB (One Stream in Bristol) podcast, so they can’t escape their recommendations:

Stanley: I like the Nova Scotia if I’m going with away fans, but it’s not particularly big.

Pete: Nova Scotia and Hen & Chicken are the only neutral ones really.

Stanley: Bigger groups go to the Stable (Harbourside) for beers and Pizza.

Paul (Exiled Robin): Bedminster Cricket Club is a good option.

Stanley: If you aren’t wearing a football shirt then Tobacco Factory is sound.

Me: There is a fanzone at the ground with beer and food stalls, plus live music - if you like Teenage Dirtbag being murdered each week! Enjoy Bristol and safe travels.