Bristol City should look for QPR repeat to help Liam Manning lead 2024/25 play-off push: View | OneFootball

Bristol City are set to finish just outside the Championship play-off places after an inconsistent season.

The Robins are currently on a seven-game unbeaten run but have failed to put together more than three consecutive wins and have been punished for their lacklustre finishing - only nine teams have scored fewer goals than them this season.

Defensively, though, Leeds United and Leicester City are the only two teams to have conceded fewer goals than Bristol City, with the summer acquisition of centre-back Rob Dickie proving a masterstroke.

Dickie arrived from QPR for a reported £600,000 after a tumultuous relegation battle at QPR but has been a revelation for Bristol City, first under Nigel Pearson and later Liam Manning.

The Englishman has proven a threat in both boxes this season. Forming part of the most resolute Bristol City defence since their promotion to the Championship in 2015, he's also notched five goals and was named the club's Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year.

Manning and technical director Brian Tinnion would do well to try and replicate the success of Dickie's transfer, as such shrewd acquisitions would stand Bristol City in good stead to mount a promotion push next season.

Rob Dickie making a telling impact in both boxes

Dickie had a mixed start to life in Bristol as he was awarded a red card against Birmingham City in just his third game for the club.

He wouldn't start again until more than a month later in a 1-0 loss to Leicester City. But after that early setback, Dickie went from strength to strength, playing every minute of the next 33 Championship games.

During that time, Dickie developed a reputation for being in the right place at the right time. Making last-ditch challenges, as well as scoring winning goals against Coventry City,Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City.

The 28-year-old's influence all over the pitch has quickly endeared him to City fans, and he's proven a popular figure within the dressing room, as showcased by his winning the Players' Player of the Year award.

Manning should look to Dickie transfer as an example

Bristol City will be aiming to make the play-offs next season. But with a budget that is not among the biggest in the league, they need to be clever with their money and should look to Dickie as an example of what can be done with minimal resources.

With Bristol City set to lose up to nine players this summer, reinforcements will be key, especially in midfield with Matty James and Joe Williams both out of contract in June.

Centre-back Dickie is also Bristol City's third-highest goalscorer this season and, with interest in striker Tommy Conway increasing, Manning needs to add goals to his side if they're to compete for a play-off place.

Dickie has proven there's value to be found towards the bottom of the Championship and Bristol City would be wise to follow their own advice when identifying targets ahead of the transfer window.

They need to back their talent identification as getting cheap deals done for players that are low on confidence and building them back up to their best could be their route to the play-offs.