Latest news with #RobAtkinson
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Robins boss Manning wants to keep Atkinson
Bristol City boss Liam Manning has implied he wants to keep Rob Atkinson at the club following the defender's loan spell at fellow Championship side after his side's play-off semi-final defeat by Sheffield United, Manning looked back on the progress the Robins have made since his appointment in November 2023 and says he is already looking to the task ahead next season."At the minute, he's our player - that doesn't change for me," Manning said of Atkinson to BBC Radio Bristol's Sound of the City show."I'm going to have a call with Rob soon to get everything out of the way and then I'll have a meeting with him as well to have a discussion with how it went."Atkinson was sent out on loan to Championship strugglers Pompey having failed to play a single minute of league football in the first half of the campaign ahead of favoured central defenders George Tanner, Rob Dickie and Zak 26-year-old duly proved his worth at Fratton Park, however, making 14 league appearances and scoring twice against relegation rivals Derby County, helping the club retain their Championship status with a couple of games to spare."It was good to see him have minutes and when you look at it from that perspective, it was a good loan for him but I think I could have done with him," Manning added."It's one of those. I think he'll be coming back here."At the other end of the pitch, Manning stated he already has a "clear profile" of a new striker he wants to add to the squad this winger Anis Mehmeti was the Robins' top scorer in the league with 12 goals, at a strike rate of exactly one goal every four games, but Manning is yet to have a discussion with the club's hierarchy over a budget for a new frontman."When you look at it, goals become the biggest bit," Manning said."There's so much good work between the two boxes in the last two games and across so much of the season but what separates teams is what happens in both boxes." On the future of Fally Mayulu, last summer's big-money signing from Rapid Vienna, Manning was more coy - stating the forward's return to the club was "possible".Mayulu, 22, started promisingly at Ashton Gate, scoring in both of his opening two Championship matches for the club, but then embarked on a barren run of 15 games without a goal before returning to the Austrian Bundesliga with Sturm Graz."It's obviously not been a great loan," Manning added. "He picked up some injuries and didn't play like I know he would have wanted to but, until I hear differently, he will be returning here to pre-season."Excluding loanees, six City first-team players remain out of contract at the end of next month with Manning noting discussions "need to happen extremely soon".Nakhi Wells, Mark Sykes, Sam Bell, Ayman Benarous and reserve goalkeepers Stefan Bajic and Lewis Thomas are all set to leave Ashton is reported to want to keep Bermudan striker Wells, who is set to embark on his 16th season as a Max O'Leary was one of three players to play every minute of league football for the Robins during the 2024-25 campaign, keeping 10 Championship clean Manning has done little to dispel rumours he is on the lookout for another goalkeeper in the summer window to provide competition for O'Leary."Yes, I think so, I think it will help," Manning responded when asked about a new stopper. "Max, you have to remember, is early on in his career."Following loans at clubs including Bath City, Solihull Moors and Shrewsbury Town, it took until his 10th season as a professional for O'Leary, 28, to establish himself as the club's number one after displacing Daniel Bentley, who then left for Wolves."Despite his age, he's actually quite low in terms of the number of games [he's played]," Manning said of O'Leary."For me, competition only benefits all of the players. I think someone pushing you will ultimately bring the best of you."
BBC News
09-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Pompey plan Atkinson conversation when time is right
Portsmouth are keen to bring defender Rob Atkinson back next season, but are in no rush to push a deal director Richard Hughes told BBC Radio Solent that Pompey plan a conversation about the 26-year-old's future, but only after parent club Bristol City's Championship play-off campaign is defender made 14 league appearances, 13 of them starts, after arriving at Fratton Park on loan in January, and scored two precious goals against Derby last month to help keep the Blues away from trouble."We've loved having Rob, he's been brilliant and made a big impact," Hughes said. "He's Bristol City's player and we'll always be respectful of that. "We'll probably have to let their season come to a natural conclusion and then there's a conversation to be had as to whether something works for everyone."Hughes said "it's probably unlikely any other loanees return", adding: "They have all served purposes. I know Freddie Potts will want to test himself at the highest level. I spoke to Graham Potter… West Ham have been really pleased with his development."Adil Aouchiche and Isaac Hayden both came in in January and affected games in different ways and helped in that upturn in results post-January. "We'll never say no but we're looking in a lot of different directions."There are likely to be departures too, with Hughes admitting: "Some of them will have had a big impact on the team in the past two years but there are some players who need to go and play football, that's really important, for their development and to do the right thing. "It's a natural evolution from going from a League One team to finishing in a relatively good position in the Championship. We want to keep getting better."Hughes said he did not expect much movement on the transfer front until June and said Pompey would "take learnings" from signings which have not worked out, adding: "Players have to have an athletic profile, have to be able to handle the ball and have to be able to cope with the demands that John Mousinho's going to place on them."I think there'll be fewer players than we have seen in the last couple of summers. The board have always been open and respectful when we've put the right propositions in front of them. Invariably they have always backed us."We'll be looking to bring in some players who can affect the starting XI and better the club for the here and now but also the future."Click here to listen to BBC Radio Solent's full interview with Richard Hughes.
BBC News
14-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'I owe a tremendous amount to Pompey'
Rob Atkinson says he will be "forever grateful" for the opportunity Portsmouth have given him this season and is desperate to help keep the club in the 26-year-old, who has been on loan at Pompey from Bristol City since January, was heavily involved in the 2-2 draw with Derby on Saturday, scoring twice and also turning into his own 91st-minute equaliser could yet prove to be a vital point for John Mousinho's side, who are four points clear of the relegation zone with four games to play."It's not done, I won't be happy until we're definitely safe and playing Championship football again next season," Atkinson told BBC Radio Solent."I feel the club owes me nothing and I owe a tremendous amount to the club because they took a big, big gamble on me and I'll forever be grateful for that."Atkinson missed the previous seven league games with injury and had been struggling with illness before the Derby game but came straight in to start at Fratton Park."I think that's just the way I am as a person but also as a professional footballer," he said."I'm not really your stereotypical academy brought up football player. I've done it the hard way and I see playing football as a bit of a blessing really. "I've been in relegation battles before. I know how to play in those sort of situations."If Portsmouth do stay up, Atkinson believes they have the ability to finish much higher up the table next season."I think this football club is going to be way better than that next season," he added. "They've got the nucleus, the core of players that are dangerous and will cause any defence - as we have this season - trouble."With a home record and a home ground like this... just need to fix that away form and you could be well up there."
BBC News
05-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
🎧Luton defeat and injury problems
Portsmouth's three-match winning run came to an end with their 1-0 defeat by Luton in the Championship on are eight points clear of the relegation zone but now have injuries to central defenders Rob Atkinson and Hayden will be sidelined for at least six weeks while ankle surgery means Hayden Matthews will miss the remainder of the season."The confidence in the side has improved - they hadn't played many games together but when you have that instinct as a left and right centre-half it falls into place better," former Portsmouth striker Guy Whittingham told BBC Radio SolentChris Wise, Andrew Moon and Guy Whittingham discuss the loss at Luton and the current injury situation on the latest edition of the 'Who needs Mourinho?' can listen to this and past editions of 'Who needs Mourinho?' on BBC Sounds.
BBC News
24-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Murphy's law has Pompey heading in right direction
A third win in a row underlines where this Portsmouth side is now. Heading in the right direction, away from the relegation a second straight week it was a pretty dull first half for the neutral. That though underlines how much better defensively Pompey are than the first few months of the Murphy turns 30 today. He must be catching eyes with his consistent, outstanding performances. A great goal and excellent assist secured Pompey three points against QPR. He must be a strong player of the season there's another nervous few days ahead waiting on scan results. Rob Atkinson picked up a calf injury while Hayden Matthews could barely move by the end and left on crutches. Potentially, Pompey may have lost three centre backs in under two if it's bad news though, surely Pompey have enough to complete their survival mission from here. They've looked like a solid mid-table Championship team for a decent period now.
