City seek a return to winning ways
Fit-again midfield duo could boost Robins in their clash with high-flying Foxes
BRISTOL City have reserved their best performances under Liam Manning for matches against sides who look to dominate possession, and today they host Leiecester City, one of the Championship’s biggest ball hoggers (12.30pm).
Leicester, under Enzo Maresca, average 62.4 per cent of possession this season, and are only beaten by Southampton in that regard, a side who came to Ashton Gate earlier this season to try and control matters, only to be torn apart on the counter.
That Robins win, however, seems an increasingly long time ago after five defeats in six games have amplified the unhappiness in the Ashton
Gate stands about the direction of the club and Manning’s appointment. The head coach will need some positive performances and results over Easter to restore a sense of calm.
That is something also being sought at Leicester as after what has seemed a relatively straightforward season at the top of the table, they now lie second and just a point above Ipswich Town in third after just one win in five games. Meanwhile, off the field they have been charged for breaching Premier League spending rules.
Robins boss Manning, pictured, is hopeful he will have captain Matty James and midfield partner Joe Williams back for today’s game as their leadership will be sorely needed to lift the side out of their late-season slump. James has been out for the last five games with an achilles problem, for which he has received injections to try and treat the problem.
Williams played through that recent block of games, but a hamstring tweak caused the 27-year-old to miss the 2-0 defeat at West Brom on March 16.
City have lost five of their last six Championship matches and while relatively secure in lower mid-table, promotion hopefuls Leicester are not the easiest opposition for the Robins as they try to get out of this rut.
The additions of James, a beloved Leicester player for nine years, and Williams would provide stability to a midfield that lost control at key moments at The Hawthorns two weeks ago, while their presence in the dressing room will also be a boost given the apparent lack of confidence in parts of the team.
“I’m hoping both will be back for Leicester” Manning said earlier this week. “Jamo stepped up, he’s had an injection in his achilles so he’s moving in the right direction, so I’m hopeful that the both of them will be available.”