Bristol City manager Danny Wilson saw his team hold Wigan Athletic to a 0-0 draw on Saturday in the last game of the season and then tipped Steve Bruce’s men for promotion as the home side scraped into the play-offs.
The Robins finished in a respectable 9th place in Division Two and Wilson is hopeful that his team can challenge for promotion themselves next season, but for the time being, he was proud of the way Bristol defended to keep a determined Wigan team out,
“They made it hard for us, it was an unbelievable game,” said Wilson.
“Fair credit to Wigan - they played really, really well. They got us on the back foot right from the beginning – they closed us down straight away and that set the tempo of the game.
“From then on we just defended resolutely and we had a lot of luck. They missed some gilt-edged chances I would say, and Stevie Phillips in our goal was absolutely inspired.
“I thought overall they deserved the win, of course they did, but at the same time you’ve got to give us credit because we defended great at times.”
Wilson admitted that the season as a whole had been a little disappointing but some injuries early in the campaign had not helped The Robins’ cause.
“It’s been a bit disappointing, but if you look back and you’re realistic in terms of why we didn’t get into the top six, I think the start of the season was poor from our point of view,” he declared.
“We lost four experienced players in the first five games and we never replaced them, and those boys haven’t come back all season.
“At times you want to take one or two of the younger lads out and give them a bit of a break because it’s getting a bit tough, but we had nobody to put in so we stuck with the team and sometimes the younger lads I think found it quite difficult at times.
“They’ve responded really well, they’ve tried to do the things we’ve asked them to do, they’ve worked brilliantly in training and I’ve got no complaints.
“I just hope next time year, looking at all those celebrations afterwards, that we’re a part of it next season.”
Wigan were indeed celebrating after the final whistle having held on to 6th place in the Division Two table thanks to two late goals at the Majestik Stadium.
Reading pulled back a two-goal deficit against Bournemouth to prevent Sean O’Driscoll’s team from replacing Wigan in the final play-off place, ironically setting up a Reading – Wigan semi-final.
Danny Wilson told us that he believes Wigan have the strength to come through the lottery of the play-offs and claim the final promotion berth to Division One.
“Obviously the four teams that contest it now are the best four teams so they’re all going to be strong,” he said.
“Walsall have had the experience of being up there, Stoke were unlucky last season and Wigan were unlucky last season again.
“Bournemouth nearly got there this season but I would think that Wigan possibly might be the favourites. They showed today what they’re capable of doing.
“They’ve got power, they’ve got pace, they’ve got ability – they’ve got a good blend, and they’ve still got one or two on the sidelines as well. So my money would be on Wigan.”
The Bristol boss admitted that his feelings went out to Bournemouth manager Sean O’Driscoll, whose team missed out on the play-offs by the narrowest of margins.
“I think in the circumstances he’s done absolutely brilliantly this season, it’s been a magic turnaround for them and I think Sean’s been a part of that,” he said.
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