Bristol City manager Liam Manning said “we’ll keep fighting” ahead of their Championship play-off semi-final second leg fixture against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Monday evening.
The Robins’ promotion hopes took a major hit after suffering a 3-0 defeat in the first leg at Ashton Gate last Thursday, with defender Rob Dickie being shown a red card just before half time.
Manning did not hide his frustration with referee Oliver Langford’s decision to dismiss Dickie and believed it was a huge turning point in the encounter.
“Up to the sending-off, I thought it was a good game. I thought it was a really good advert for Championship football, and then the whole game just completely changed because of a major error,” said the 39-year-old.
“For me, he’s waiting for contact, there is contact, but the red has to be for no intention, I’ve been told to play the ball, Rob kicks the ball. So, I don’t get how you cannot attempt to play the ball yet kick it.”
He added: “We flagged concerns earlier in the week around his [Langford’s] performance level this season. He’s given out previous reds that have been incorrect, and he’s unfortunately done another one tonight.”
Manning also revealed that the club enquired to Kevin Friend, who oversees referees for the Championship, about changing the official.
“We called up to ask the question, ‘Why the appointment?’, but it was said it was suitable,” said Manning.
“We just felt it was too big a game. When you look at his previous, where he’s sent people off and then they’ve come back and said he’s got that one wrong.
“If that’s the very best in the Championship, which I don’t think he is, for a spectacle like tonight, it’s just too much potential for errors. Of course, I’m not questioning it deliberately or anything.
“We all make errors, but unfortunately, for me, it was a concern.”
Despite the disappointment, Manning insisted his players will not give up until the final whistle sounds at the end of 180 minutes of football.
“What I do know about them, we spoke a lot about it, bouncing game to game, we’ll keep fighting, we’ll keep believing until the final whistle on Monday,” he said.
“You only have to look at the history of sport to see there’s been a huge number of comebacks and upsets. We’ll take belief from that, and we’ll go in fighting on Monday.”
Sheffield United showed exactly why they finished 22 points in front of their play-off opponent in the league table and why they are among the favourites for promotion. Manning was full of praise for the Blades’ quality.
“Credit to Sheffield United in terms of they still have to do a good job when we go down to ten,” said the former Oxford United boss.
“When you look at the strength of their squad, the depth they have on the bench, and most of their bench, I think most of them walk into most championship teams.”
For Bristol City, the pressure is off. Even though the task is huge, belief however faint, remains.
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