ROBINS ARE READY TO HIT NEW HEIGHTS

Manning reckons underdogs can shock Blades in play-offs

- By Rob Stewart

BRISTOL CITY head coach Liam Manning has told his players to relish their underdog status in their play-off semi-final with Sheffield United.

The Robins will have to upset the odds to keep their Premier League dream alive against Chris Wilder's Blades, who gained 22 more points than them in the Championship.

But Manning insists the lack of expectation from outside could help his team, who finished sixth, against opponents who narrowly missed out on automatic promotion.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow night's first leg at Ashton Gate, he said: "It's a fantastic achievement but we know how difficult it will be and the level of opposition we're up against.