How Bristol City fans raising their game could be crucial in promotion race

I've been attending Ashton Gate now for about a decade. Nine and a half years as a season ticket holder and since January as a journalist. And I've seen numerous late goals, comeback wins and even big cup upsets. Ashton Gate yesterday when Watford visited was not only the loudest I've seen all season but one of the loudest ever which said it all about the club.

Fans on fire

From minute one to the end of a nerve-jangling 2-1 win, the crowd in the three stands that contain Bristol City fans, it was clear that they understood the magnitude of the game and brought the noise to ensure the players had the best chance of bringing home three points.

That’s because they recognise that City have a great chance of securing a play-off berth which will give the club another tilt at bringing Premier League football to the West Country for the first time ever.

And all that noise brought back to me a famous quote from 2015 when Steve Cotterrill was the manager of the Robins, following a 3-0 win at Ashton Gate against local rivals Swindon Town when he stated: “When our fans are on fire like that, teams can't win here.”

First-class atmosphere

Although that was a decade ago that statement came to be proven once again. A memory from the game that will be remembered by City fans for a long while was the late press and subsequent tackle by West Ham United loanee George Earthy that had the stadium roaring as if a goal had gone in.

While speaking to the press after the game Bristol City boss Liam Manning applauded the fans’ efforts. “I thought the atmosphere was first class,” Manning told us reporters. “I thought you saw it at the end and the large number of fans staying behind to applaud the players the players getting around to show their appreciation. We want that tight relationship and we've worked really hard to strengthen that bond.”

City currently boast the fifth best home form in the Championship this season, having earned 39 points at home this season with a record of 11 wins, 6 draws and 3 loses. With only three home games between now and the end of the season, including the massive game on Tuesday against fellow play-off chasers West Brom, the Robins will be keen to keep the purple patch at home going forward.As he looked ahead to pitting his wits against West Brom’s highly experienced manager Tony Mowbray, Manning also issued a rallying call the City fans to take the fantastic atmosphere into Tuesday.

Show of apprecation

“I should say a massive thank you to our suppoters from me and the lads today, unless let's do it again on Tuesday from the start,” Manning said. "I want the fans to enjoy it as well. It's been a long while since the club were in that position so again, credit to the players and the staff for the work that's gone into it.

"It's been an eventful 18 months (since his arrival as manager from Oxford United) in terms of everything we've gone through but the progress is quite clear over the course of the season and that's my job, keep the lads focused.

“Of course, around that, you want the fans to be excited, you want them to turn up, show the energy they've shown today and enjoy it. I have to say, I've really enjoyed watching so much of our football this season and long may it continue, starting on Tuesday."