English Football League

LIAM MANNING wants Ashton Gate to become a cauldron as Bristol City target promotion to the Premier League.And Robins gaffer Manning knows the fans have a crucial role to play against Sheffield United in the Championship semi-final first leg on Thursday night.Bristol City fans invaded the pitch after they clinched a play-off placeCredit: RexFans congratulate Bristol City boss Liam Manning on the pitch after the final dayCredit: RexManning has been using images of Robins fans celebrating the end of a 17-year wait for a  play-off place last weekend as he plots a route to Wembley glory.And he also eased the mounting pressure by sharing videos of City’s Japanese star Yu Hirakawa crowd surfing with delirious supporters after sixth spot was secured.It is all part of a bold left-field strategy as he bids to spring an upset when he pits his wits against Chris Wilder’s Blades.Manning said: “Our media department capture a lot of images and videos and we use a lot of them in all our team meetings.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“We use them as title pages and graphics and we were spoilt for choice at the weekend. “That’s because there were so many incredible images of people on the pitch and ones of pure emotion.“And it’s fair to say that they just showed that’s what the game does to you with those incredible highs.“But elsewhere we also saw the scenes of some unfortunate fans at clubs who experienced incredible lows as well.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“We’ve just tried to capture those images because you want the lads to be emotionally invested in the club.“And, for me, one of the best ways to achieve that is for them to see the impact that they can have on people.Former Premier League boss in centre of huge tunnel brawl as tempers flare following dramatic Championship clash“We showed them a couple of images of the fans and a video of Yu crowd surfing and that got a right good laugh as well among  the lads.”City must upset the odds to find a way past the Blades when their two-legged stress-fest gets under way at Ashton Gate on Thursday night.And while there is a feel-good factor among his players, Manning insists they are not just in the play-offs to make up the numbers.He said: “We should be proud of what we’ve achieved because a  play-off place has been a long time coming for this club.“I really enjoyed seeing how happy the fans were after the  Preston game when I walked round with my son Isaac because it really was special.“I’ve told the players to savour the experience of reaching the play-offs and I had a celebratory beer with my No 2, Chris Hogg, and a Chinese with our families.“We’ve also drawn on recent high-pressure games like the defeat  last week at Leeds because that’s  an important experience we can learn from.“But my players, my staff and myself are driven and ambitious, and we don’t want to just be part of the play-off, we want to compete and progress.“The play-off place is the accumulation of many people’s efforts behind the scenes over the course of the season.Read More on The Sun“It’s such a collective effort and, by way of example, our kitchen staff are phenomenal with all the care that goes into food for the players.“It’s my job to put out a side that equips itself well.”    BRISTOL CITY v SHEFFIELD UNITED VERDICTJUSTIN ALLEN’S guide to the Championship semi-finalUnited have had a good season. They finished the season averaging two points per game — before their points deduction — but have missed out to Leeds and Burnley, who both amassed ONE HUNDRED!BLADES fans were gutted not to get promoted automatically  after they lost four of their last six games — crucially three in a row to Oxford, Millwall and Plymouth.I always fear for a club that misses out on automatic promotion but they have had the time  to mentally reset.They are up against a Bristol City side that just about clung on to their play-off spot after just one win in their last five games.Sheff U won 2-1  in October at Ashton Gate but the Robins were brilliant in the March return, although they needed a late leveller.The Blades should edge this over two legs. A big performance from Championship player-of-the-season Gus Hamer will be needed — but City carry a threat through Nahki Wells and Anis Mehmeti.(First leg, Thursday May 8, 8pm; second leg Monday, May 12, 8pm) More

FOR pure footballing drama, you can’t beat the play-offs.They always throw up thrills and spills – so, let’s look at the six ties across three divisions . . .Championship player of the season Gustavo Hamer is Sheffield United’s key manCredit: PANahki Wells will spearhead Bristol City’s attack in their bid to make WembleyCredit: PAJobe Bellingham and his Sunderland team-mates have stuttered over the past month and must find form quicklyCredit: GettyJack Rudoni (right) and Haji Wright are huge attacking threats for CoventryCredit: AlamyCHAMPIONSHIPBRISTOL CITY v  SHEFF UTD(First leg, Thursday May 8, 8pm; Second leg Monday, May 12)BLADES fans were gutted not to get promoted automatically  after they lost four of their last six games — crucially three in a row to Oxford, Millwall and Plymouth.Sheffield United have had a good season. They finished the season averaging two points per game — before their points deduction — but have missed out to Leeds and Burnley, who both amassed ONE HUNDRED!I always fear for a club that misses out on automatic promotion but they have had the time to mentally reset.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThey are up against a Bristol City side that just about clung on to their play-off spot after just one win in their last five games.Sheff U won 2-1  in October at Ashton Gate but the Robins were brilliant in the March return, although they needed a late leveller.Chris Wilder’s Blades should edge this over two legs, despite their terrible play-off record (scroll down to see just how bad it is). A big performance from Championship player of the season Gus Hamer will be needed — but City carry a threat through Nahki Wells and Anis Mehmeti.COVENTRY v SUNDERLAND(First leg, Friday May 9, 8pm; second leg Tuesday, May 13)Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFrank Lampard has worked  miracles at Coventry since taking over in November.They were SEVENTEENTH when he replaced the controversially sacked Mark Robins.Frank Lampard tipped for England job as former Premier League manager Chris Wilder says ‘it just shines through’ Nine wins out of ten from January to March fired Cov up the table but when you have players such as Haji Wright, Ellis Sims, Ben Sheaf, Matt Grimes and the brilliant Jack Rudoni, you should be around the top positions.Sunderland pretty much knew for months they were set for a play-off spot. They have lost their last five, and you just feel that not playing games with much on the line for some time makes them less battle hardened but Jobe Bellingham and Co will try to put that behind them.Cov came back from 2-0 down to nab a point at the Stadium of Light and a Wright hat-trick slayed Sunderland 3-0 in March.I fancy the Sky Blues to prevail over the two legs.LEAGUE ONELEYTON ORIENT v STOCKPORT(First leg, Saturday May 10, 12.30pm; second leg Wednesday, May 14, 8pm)WHAT a cracking semi-final this could be.Richie Wellens’ Orient won the last six while David Challinor guided Stockport to seven wins and a draw out of their last eight.County beat Orient 1-0 at Brisbane Road in March but the O’s thumped them 4-1 in the return.Kyle Wootton is a threat up front for the Hatters, while Charlie Kelman has been a sensation for the O’s  with 21 goals on loan from QPR. I have a sneaking feeling Wellens’ men will get through.#Leyton Orient hot shot Charlie Kelman was League One’s top scorerCredit: RexWYCOMBE v CHARLTON(First leg Sunday, May 11, 6.30pm; Second leg Thursday, May 15, 8pm)THE Chairboys have been the League One upstarts and at one stage were looking at gatecrashing the automatic promotion party.But the wheels have come off in recent weeks, losing the final three matches — including, alarmingly,  a 4-0  defeat to Charlton, who they face in the play-offs.Nathan Jones’ Addicks have lost just once in their last eight.Matty Godden has been superb, scoring 21 goals in all competitions but Wanderers have Richard Kone up top, who has also netted 21 across the board this term.You cannot write off Wycombe  but I fancy Charlton.LEAGUE TWONOTTS COUNTY v WIMBLEDON(First leg Saturday, May 10 8pm; second leg Saturday May 17, 12.30pm)THIS promises to be a cracker as Johnnie Jackson has re- established Wimbledon as a real force while Stuart Maynard has done a decent job with the Magpies.David McGoldrick, 37, is red-hot for Notts County with 17 goals.But watch out for Dons’ 21-goal top scorer Matty Stevens, who is due a goal.CHESTERFIELD v WALSALL(First leg Sunday, May 11, 3.30pm; Second leg Friday, May 16, 8pm)WALSALL were at one point TWELVE points clear at the top.Yet they were heartbreakingly bumped out of the top three by Antoni Sarcevic’s 96th-minute winner for Bradford.Read More on The SunIt is so hard to recover from that kind of setback in such a short space of time.Chesterfield are on a high after sneaking  into the final play-off spot and under wily boss Paul Cook are my tip to prevail. More

TOM CLEVERLEY has controversially been sacked by Watford.The former Manchester United midfielder, 35, took over at Vicarage Road in March 2024, replacing Valerien Ismael initially as interim boss.Tom Cleverley was sacked as Watford boss on TuesdayCredit: RexHe took the head coach role on a permanent basis the following month, making him the 21st Hornets manager since Gino Pozzo took over the club in 2012.Watford were in contention for a Championship play-off spot heading into the second half of the season.But just five wins in 2025 but pay to those promotion dreams.They finished the 2024-25 season 14th in the Championship on Saturday, concluding with a 1-1 home draw against Sheffield Wednesday.That meant Cleverley was the club’s longest-serving manager since Javi Gracia – and the first to last more than a season since the Spaniard’s sacking in 2019.But this year’s drop off was enough for the trigger-happy Hornets to dismiss their former midfielder in their latest controversial managerial axing – four months after having to release a statement to confirm he was still in the dugout.The decision did not go down well with Watford supporters while a disappointed Cleverley took to Instagram with a classy statement.He said: “After nine-and-a-half years of my life – as a loanee, player, captain, academy coach and head coach – my time at the club has come to an end.Most read in ChampionshipCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”After the sadness wears off, I will forever have a feeling of gratitude and happiness towards the club and the place and people of Watford.”Football and football clubs are special. They make you feel truly part of something. I wasn’t born in Watford or raised in Watford but this honestly feels like home.”To the club, I’m grateful for the opportunity, the player for their efforts and the supporters myself and my family will forever appreciate the love and support you have given me on this journey.”I repeat I will be sad that it’s over but full of happiness that it ever happened. And I hope it’s not the final time out paths cross. You ‘Orns.”Sporting director Gian Luca Nani added: “We thank Tom for his service – not just in his role as Head Coach but for everything he has given Watford as a player and member of staff.“But the time has come for a change and to build on what we believe is a young and talented squad that will have benefited from the experience of the Championship this season.“It has been a privilege to work closely with Tom; to understand how he sees the game and his enthusiasm for everything here. “He deserves to be recognised for this and I’m sure he will have a bright future in the game.“Tom will always be part of Watford in recognition of all that he has achieved over so many years.”Cleverley came through the youth system at Old Trafford and made 79 first-team appearances for the Red Devils, winning the Premier League in 2012-13 under Sir Alex Ferguson. He had various loan spells – including at Watford – before joining Everton in 2015.Just 18 months later, the 13-cap England international was on the move again as he headed to Watford again, initially on loan before making the switch permanent for the 2017-18 season. He was relegated in 2020 but helped the Hornets straight back up again before retiring in 2023 to step into coaching. Cleverley departs Vicarage Road with a record of 20 wins, 14 draws and 25 defeats from his 59 games in charge – with a win rate of 34 per cent. Read More on The SunAlberto Garrido is the early 4-1 favourite to become the next Watford manager, according to talkSPORT Bet.Gary O’Neil (5-1), Sean Dyche (6-1) and Rob Page (6-1) are also in contention with Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard both at 16-1. More