Football Robins' disappointed boss determined to learn lesssons from play-off loss

IAM Manning has lifted the lid on his message to the players after Bristol City's play-off campaign came to an end at the hands of Sheffield United, insisting that while he is keen for his squad to learn from their experience, he wants them to reflect on the buzz they've created around Ashton Gate over the season as a whole.

- Daniel CARTER

Having been beaten 3-0 by the Blades in the first leg on Thursday evening, the Robins once again conceded three unanswered goals at Bramall Lane to lose 6-0 on aggregate.

Though the Reds started on the front foot on Monday night, Kieffer Moore's first-half header, as well as second-half strikes from Gustavo Hamer and Callum O'Hare, ensured it was Chris Wilder's side who booked their place in the play-off final.

Undoubtedly, it was a disappointing end to what has been a truly special season in south Bristol. Few expected Manning's side to secure a place in the top six, and while the Reds boss wants his players to learn from their challenging meetings with the Blades, he doesn’t want them to lose sight of all that they have achieved over the last nine months.

“It's kind of two messages,” the head coach told Bristol Live after the full-time whistle at Bramall Lane. “Tonight, we've had a taste of a level of opposition and player that are better than us, so let’s take that, let's learn from it and become better.