I spent five-and-a-half years at Bristol City - Reds are full of confidence ahead of play-offs

Andi Weimann spent five-and-a-half years at Bristol City and Ashton Gate before joining Blackburn Rovers as a free-agent last summerAndi Weimann spent five-and-a-half years at Bristol City(Image: Simon Galloway/PA Wire)

Former Bristol City captain Andi Weimann insists that, while Sheffield United are favourites heading into the Championship play-offs, Liam Manning’s side are “full of confidence” ahead of their semi-final clash with the Blades, having ended their 17-year wait for a top six finish.

The Robins welcome Chris Wilder’s side to Ashton Gate for the first leg of their semi-final clash on Thursday evening before travelling to Bramall Lane for the return fixture on Monday night. Although just three places separated the two sides in the regular season, United finished 22 points ahead of City and were ultimately closer to champions Leeds United than they were fourth-placed Sunderland.

Weimann spent five-and-a-half years in BS3, scoring 51 goals before leaving to join Blackburn Rovers as a free agent almost 12 months ago. Despite the impressive exploits of the Austrian international in red and white, the Robins were never quite able to break into the top six in his time in the West Country. However, having had a taste of the play-offs in his time both at Derby County and on loan at West Brom last season, he knows anything can happen at this stage of the season, especially under the lights at Ashton Gate.

“I was there for five and a half years and unfortunately we never achieved the play-offs, but I saw the scenes after the game last Saturday and since the game and it’s so positive,” Weimann said on talkSPORT on Thursday morning. “I think fans were on the pitch and it just shows how much it means to them to make the play-offs finally. It will be bouncing tonight.

“You’d think so [that Sheffield United are favourites], especially with the points they achieved this season. I think they finished 20 points above Bristol City so they will definitely be the favourites. But I think for Bristol City, they’ve almost got nothing to lose.

“They’ve not been in the play-offs for I think 16 or 17 years, so they’re going to go into it full of confidence to almost just go for it and see what happens.

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“Anyone can beat anyone,” the former Reds skipper continued. “I’ve been in the play-offs three times, unfortunately, I’ve lost all three times, but anything can happen and, as I said, Bristol City will go into it full of confidence.

“They’ll just attack it and hopefully they can achieve something.”

Should Manning’s side manage to find a way past the Blades over the course of the two-legged affair, they will be set to meet one of Sunderland or Coventry City in the play-off final at Wembley. The Black Cats’ spot in the top six was secured with weeks to spare of the season, while Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues confirmed their place in the play-offs with a win over Middlesbrough on the final day of the regular campaign.

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Regis Le Bris’ side travel to the CBS Arena on Friday evening before Coventry make the trip to the Stadium of Light on Tuesday. On form alone, Weimann thinks Lampard’s men may have the slight edge, but the Blackburn Rovers forward isn’t expecting that contest to be straightforward either.

“That’s a hard one to call as well,” the 33-year-old confessed. “I think if you look at the form guide again, you’d probably have to go for Coventry.

“Sunderland, they’ve known for a while they’re going to be in the play-offs, but they’ve lost a few games lately, so that will be a tight one again. You might fancy Cov to be fair.”

I spent five-and-a-half years at Bristol City – Reds are full of confidence ahead of play-offs

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