Liam Manning makes Elland Road atmosphere admission ahead of Leeds United vs Bristol City, side can’t be ‘in awe’

Add as preferred source on Google

Bristol City face Leeds United at Elland Road on Monday evening in a game which will impact both the Championship’s play-off race and title battle.

In their penultimate games of the Championship season, Monday night’s clash between Leeds United and Bristol City will bode monumental consequences on the second tier table.

Bristol City could secure their play-off spot with a victory at Elland Road, with Liam Manning’s side sat in fifth place by a point ahead of kick-off.

Leeds United however, are fighting for the Championship title prize riches against Burnley, after their top flight promotion was secured last week.

Ahead of the game dubbed the Luke Ayling derby, Robins boss Manning has instructed his visiting players to play the game, and not the occasion with a raucous Leeds atmosphere impending.

• READ MORE: Paul Merson urges four-time Premier League winner to sign for Leeds

Liam Manning hails Leeds United’s home atmosphere as ‘terrific’

Pundits have predicted a difficult night for Bristol City, with Manning’s side coming into the clash on the back of an unwanted 46-year record at Elland Road.

Scott Parker’s side kept the pressure on Leeds with their 5-0 win at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, meaning Farke’s team enter tonight’s clash needing no less than three points.

Ahead of the Whites visit, Manning admitted that his side are expecting a “terrific” atmosphere tonight, but know the strengths they possess against the Championship’s big-hitters as they look to dent Leeds’ title aspirations.

Bristol City boss Manning told the press: “I think anytime you go there it’s it’s a terrific atmosphere, so it is what it is, enjoy it but do us I think that’s the biggest bit, not being in awe of it.

“Go up there, we’ve been to places like Sheffield United’s another one I think where we went and Sunderland gave a terrific account of ourselves and arguably could have come away with more than what we got in those games.

“But it’s the same message, it is go and do us, go and be brave go and you know hit the level we know we’re capable of and we’ll be in the game if we do.

“We’re not going up there to play a part in any promotion celebrations, we’re going up there to win.

“That’s the biggest bit and you can’t turn it on and off, we’ll go and do us we’ll go and play our way and you know and take the game to them.”

Manning also told his players to “relish the challenge” of trying to keep out the Championship’s most potent attacking side this season.

• READ MORE: Leeds United fans divided as Daniel Farke’s future hangs in balance

Liam Manning believes Bristol City can keep out Leeds United

Farke’s side have been in exceptional goalscoring form this season, notching a staggering 89 goals so far this campaign with two games to go, 23 more than title-contenders Burnley.

On the mammoth task of keeping Leeds’ attacking force at bay, Manning added: “I think we’ve shown we can do it. The biggest bit starts with your mindset being brave, relishing the challenge and the opportunity, not fearing anything or anyone.

Whether that be players or teams or occasions, you have to have real self-belief. When you play against a side like Leeds, who are extremely well organised, Daniel’s done a terrific job there with some terrific players. You have to be your very best and that’s the challenge for us.”