Bird finds his wings in new position at Bristol City as Manning discusses competition for places
Some fans have previously questioned O’Leary’s status as number one, pointing to youthful Stefan Bajic as a possible alternative, despite the fact that he is still in his relatively early stages for someone in his position.
“Today marks a year since we joined, and Max has done a great job for us,” Manning said Thursday afternoon.
“You have to remember that he has a lot less gaming experience than other gamers his age. He keeps growing, learning, and improving. He should continue doing that, and I have no doubt that he does since Pat Mountain does an excellent job of assisting him in thinking back on his performances, identifying his strengths, and determining how to improve.
After expressing his desire to play higher up the pitch and score more goals and assists, Bird scored his first goal for the team against Preston North End last week. He also set up the penalty that allowed Anis Mehmeti to put the Reds ahead against Sheffield United.
In his pre-Norwich City press conference, Manning stated, “I just look at Birdy as a top footballer.”
He possesses a very sharp mind. In addition to having a great feel for the ball, he is very attentive before he receives it and knows exactly what he will do before getting it.
You can see that by looking at Sinclair Armstrong’s weighted pass for the penalty the other night. Following his missed goal at Stoke, where he Cruyff-turned it in the box, I chatted with him. He then missed another goal against Preston, and we joked the other day about how I expect him to score goals based on his level and what I witness in training every day.
“He is undoubtedly someone who will continue to improve throughout the season in terms of goal contributions, primarily due to his quality.”
The adaptability of players is something that the Reds boss requires of his players as it offers to more solutions to problems that may arise, such as injury.
“I think that’s the advantage of Birdy; you can play him in any of those three (no.6, no.8, no.10). I’m not fixated on a certain position,” Manning continued.
“It’s having certain profiles in certain positions that allow us to bring our qualities so when you haven’t got Twine playing, someone that’s terrific between the lines, you might now with Birdy playing there. But Birdy’s played deep and done a terrific job as well.
I don’t obsess over “so-and-so must play in that position.” Placing them in positions that will enable them to showcase their abilities may be a positional strategy, but it may also be a game-related stylistic choice.
“We definitely chose Williams and Knight and put Bird higher for us to go through to when we faced Sheffield Wednesday and it was a battle, knowing there may be a lot of second balls, etc.
However, given Sheffield United’s pressing style the previous night, I assumed there would be a pause in the action. We launched attacks in the first half after Anis Mehmeti took a number of shots in the pockets, and Birdy clearly performed well for the
Still only 24, Bird has plenty of years ahead of him like lots of the City squad.
One of the most talked about of those youngster is fellow summer addition Sinclair Armstrong who played the second half of the Robins’ defeat to Sheffield United, replacing the experienced Nahki Wells at the break.
Somewhat of a rough diamond, Armstrong has shown flashes of brilliance after impressing early on in a City shirt, however, has since lost his place to his Bermudian colleague.
The Irishman and young teammate Fally Mayulu have both struggled to find consistency so far in BS3.
It is of paramount importance to allow young players time to develop and grow as players and the red side of Bristol has a good track record of doing so.
“What you can’t do is put a time frame on when the penny’s going to drop and when it’s all going to come together,” Manning emphasised.
“The club has a history of [bringing players through] like with Antoine Semenyo, Alex Scott, Tommy Conway; all the people that have come through and moved on but also the ones we’ve got at the club now. It doesn’t follow a smooth [process] where it clicks, and you’ve got it. The one thing with young players coming through is the inconsistency.
City have built a reliable amount of depth to their squad, something that has shown and had to be used with the recent injury struggles.
Where most of the roles on the field are relatively open to competition, the goalkeeping position is one that has been undisputed since Manning’s arrival a year ago.
Max O’Leary has saved many a point for the Robins since he became the go-to number one almost two years ago, putting in show-stopping displays on numerous occasions.
“You have to remember that for his age, he isn’t hugely experienced in terms of games when you look at others his age. He’s still learning and growing and improving. He’s got to continually do that, and I know he does because Pat Mountain does a terrific job with him in terms of reflecting on performances, learning what to do better, how can improve.
“Against Preston, he plays a pivotal part in the second goal where he sets Sykesy off for the counterattack. That’s how quickly it can change.
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