Meet the opposition | Bristol City
As Swansea City prepare to face Bristol City, we take a closer look at the Robins.
What's their story?
Established in 1894, Bristol City, affectionately known as the Robins, initially started out playing within the Southern and Western League, before being admitted to the Football League in 1901.
They have lifted silverware on three occasions in their history, winning the Football League Trophy in 1986, 2003 and, most recently, in 2015.
Their early Football League years coincided with the club's best-ever league finish as they ended the 1906-07 season in second place in the top-flight, behind only Newcastle United.
That came on the back of promotion to the First Division the previous season, while they were beaten FA Cup finalists in 1909 as they suffered defeat to Manchester United at Crystal Palace.
Having gone so close to Premier League promotion in 2008 - losing the play-off final to Hull - they are now in their tenth-consecutive season at Championship level having secured promotion from League One in 2015.
How's their form?
Solid. The Robins have won four of their last nine in the Championship, losing just two.
They have lost just three games at Ashton Gate so far this season.
Who's the gaffer?
Liam Manning. As a youngster Manning had spells on the books of Norwich City and Ipswich Town before spending his playing career in non-league.
He made the early decision to move into coaching and held academy roles with Ipswich Town and West Ham United - playing a part in Declan Rice's development with the latter - before joining City Football Group and working at New York City FC and Lommel SK in Belgium.
After making a positive impression as head coach with the latter, Manning was appointed MK Dons boss in the summer of 2021 and led them to the League One play-offs in his first season in charge.
Following a tough start to the following campaign he left stadium:mk and had a spell in charge of Oxford United before being tasked with replacing Nigel Pearson at Ashton Gate.
Who's the captain?
Jason Knight. The midfielder donned the armband numerous times in the 2023-24 season and took on the role full-time following the departures of Andi Weimann and Matty James in the summer.
The Republic of Ireland international came through the academy ranks at Pride Park – having started his career in his homeland with Cabinteely – to make the breakthrough at senior level.
He made his debut while still a teenager in 2017, and his maturity and impressive performances were such that he would go on to captain the Rams.
Knight won plenty of plaudits for his showings during a turbulent time for the Midlands club, making over 150 appearances in total before his switch to Bristol City after Derby just missed out on the League One play-offs in 2023.
Knight has won 35 senior caps for the Republic of Ireland, having previously featured at under-17, under-18, under-19 and under-21 level.
Who are the key men?
Attacking midfielder Scott Twine progressed through the Swindon Town academy before signing professional terms with the club in 2017. Loan spells at Chippenham Town, Waterford and Newport County followed and Twine was named Newport's Young Player of the Season with 14 goals in 49 appearances.
Twine joined MK Dons on a permanent deal in the summer of 2021 and had an impressive first season at the club, scoring 20 goals and making 13 assists as he was named League One Player of the Season and included in the League One Team of the Season alongside teammate Harry Darling.
The following summer he joined Burnley before joining Hull City on a season-long loan in the summer of 2023. He was recalled in January 2024 but went to Bristol City on loan for the second half of last season and scored a header on his debut for the Robins.
His move was made permanent this summer and he has been one of their liveliest performers, with his ability from free-kicks helping him to five goals and three assists.
Defender Luke McNally has been another player to impress for the Robins.
The Irishman is on Burnley's books, and enjoyed a strong second half to the 2022-23 season on loan at Coventry City, helping them reach the play-off final where they lost to Luton Town.
He went on to spend last term with Stoke City, where he stood out during a challenging campaign for the Potters.
McNally started his career in his homeland with St Patrick's Athletic and Drogheda United, before making the move to England with Oxford United in January 2021.
He quickly caught the eye and became Vincent Kompany's second signing as Burnley boss when he moved to Turf Moor in the summer of 2022, and is now having his third loan spell in the Championship.
Exciting young midfielder Max Bird is enjoying a strong first full campaign at Ashton Gate, having signed for the Robins in January 2024 but spending the end of last season on loan at boyhood club Derby as he helped them secure automatic promotion from League One.
Bird made his first-team debut for Derby at the age of just 16 in the EFL Cup, and made his senior league debut against Swansea City in December 2018.
The youngster, who played for Derby's under-23s alongside former Swan Morgan Whittaker, was named EFL Apprentice of the Year in 2019.
Bird made 191 appearances in total for the Rams, helping them get back to the second tier after relegation in 2022, and has one goal and six assists for his new club.