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Liam Gibbs talks to angry Norwich fans after defeat to Bristol City puts pressure on Liam Manning

Liam Gibbs talks to angry Norwich fans after a 1-0 defeat to Bristol City puts increased pressure on Liam Manning.

Mark Sykes scored the decisive goal in the second half, while Norwich, winless in their last six home games, struggled to level the scoreline, despite efforts from Emiliano Marcondes and Jack Stacey, with Bristol’s goalkeeper Radek Vitek making fine saves.

This victory ended Bristol City’s four-match winless streak, and sees them sitting 7th in the Championship table with with 16 points from 10 games played, while Norwich are 20th with 8 points from 10 games.

Norwich head coach Liam Manning told BBC Radio Norfolk:

“We need a few to start stepping up and owning performances because everything is just too nice around the place – we have to try and change that.

“There was some nice football but nothing at the end of it, not enough aggression, not enough purpose, not enough intent when you’re losing a game to get on the front foot and change it.

“We try to give structure, we try to give clarity, but we also try to empower them to step on the pitch and take responsibility to make decisions – if the space is there to go in behind, go in behind and take the risk, if it’s not then shorten it up.

“Too many people are passing on the responsibility and not being brave enough. I can’t play the game for them, we can give them games plans and solutions, but the second the whistle blows you need people to step up.”

Manning, per Sky Sports:

“I seem to be repeating myself after every match here, we are just too nice to play against. I’ll own my performance in all this but a few of the players need to own their performances as well.

“They need to show the necessary toughness to go out there and win a game of football in a tough atmosphere like it was today. We created some good chances and didn’t take them – successful sides at this level need to be ruthless in front of goal and we weren’t.

“I don’t want us to play square and sideways all the time, I want us to attack with purpose. Overall we were just too passive – we weren’t brave enough to go out and do what was required. When you don’t score the pressure mounts.

“Then (for the goal) we give away a soft free-kick, switch off when it comes over and the ball is in the back of our net.”

Bristol City boss Gerhard Struber told BBC Radio Bristol:

“The game was on a really high level, we know Norwich have outstanding quality in the roster and we knew it could be difficult for us.

“Every single player was so focused, so concentrated in his own tasks, but also on how we play like a team, it was brilliant.

“In a game like this, sometimes the momentum goes away a little bit, you cannot in an away game at Norwich City always have control and domination.

“Now it is important for us to also bring our power in home games, this is something that should be the next step.”

Struber, per Sky Sports: “Everyone was really disappointed after our last game against QPR and determined to bounce back.

“We had a plan coming here and it was a really good effort from the boys. The batteries were certainly low at the end after all the effort they put in.

“We worked very hard to keep Norwich out and were always dangerous on transition and could have had a few more goals. In a couple of occasions we were grateful to Radek but overall I thought we deserved to win this game. ”

As for the performance of Vitek, who is on loan from Manchester United, Struber added: “He has made a couple of excellent saves.

“He’s only 21 but already looks like an excellent Championship keeper and is someone who has high potential.”

Twitter users reacted as Liam Gibbs talks to angry Norwich fans after defeat to Bristol City puts pressure on Liam Manning…

@Steve18455411: Fair play to Liam Gibbs today fronted up to the fans and took the heat like a leader. Takes real balls to do that when it’s a whole team issue. Massive respect for actually listening to us. He’s showing real leadership and that he genuinely cares about the club. 💛🔰. #ncfc

@KyleRey47575617: Nice to know that there’s a player in the squad who cares enough to get amongst the fans and take the criticism properly 🙌

@markland_jane: Liam Gibbs cares. Today for me was a lesson in body language on the pitch. Sarge looking so unhappy made me cry. So did the players at the end. Stacy, Vlad, Oscar and Sarge (Gibbs when he came on), were up for it and care. Darling looked furious when he booted that ball.

@deejamvlogs: Manning out. Webber out. And more importantly Knapper out. This is what happens when you flipflop philosophies with HC you appoint. A disjointed squad and club sleep walking to League One #ncfc

@BristolOli: Thanks for the 3 points and the compensation 💰 for manning 🤣🤣

@humanmale1984: Felt sorry for him having to try and play as a creative midfielder and take our corners. Dreadful recruitment to have no one better to do that role but have both Topic and Wright sat on the bench.

@Callum06065438: Another embarrassing show that none of our senior players or manager going to answer but leaving one of young players to answer, if this doesn’t show how the mentality of some of the people at our club then I don’t know what will #ncfc

@garyrudland1: Credit to him at least he showed some balls!

@StruberBall: Get the fuck in!!! All you donuts wiping it in hope your happy you’ve got super Liam manning 🤣🤣🤣🤣👍👍👍👍

@aware86: Manning’s got to go. Huge regression from last season. JHT was actually working on a longer term plan. Now we play shit football with no ideas. Not sure I trust Knapper in hiring after getting this so wrong.

@TownITFC: All those extra fingers pointing at him in the ball pit, must be terrifying

@Christine_Dye_: Fair play for fronting up. Watching Manning avoid the Barclay and go hiding up inside before the players were in was not acceptable.

@PhilBygrave1970: Our worst fears have come true! This is feeling like 2009 all over again, I thought those days were long gone. The owners need to wake up and do something fast 🤔🙈😤🤯🤪🤞💚💛

@tractorblues: Bit harsh to blame the bench warmer

@sexyschwartau: Fair play to liam gibbs seems the only player who actually gives a shit

@thejaydawson: A player barely getting minutes is the one confronting the fans for the absolute shambles it is, I wish everyone round him and the cunts above him give half of his fucks, club is rotting from the core, fuck them off and start a fresh. #ncfc #otbc

@Catleyy20: Considering how much (misguided imo) abuse he gets from our fans, class from him!

@domjf6: Fair play to him for showing some guts unlike the others. I liked his interview before the derby and he also seems like he’s one of a very few that understands the club

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