Liam Manning praised the contribution of Bristol City fans after his team leapt back into the Sky Bet Championship play-off zone and called for more of the same when West Brom visit Ashton Gate on Tuesday night.
Ross McCrorie volleyed the Robins in front in the 24th minute following an error by Watford defender James Abankwah and Nahki Wells doubled the advantage five minutes later with a low drive after Mark Sykes had made a strong run down the right.
The visitors claimed the ball had gone out of play as Sykes broke away. But, although substitute Mamadou Doumbia reduced the deficit with a sweet volley from the edge of the box 10 minutes from time, they could have no complaints about the outcome.
It meant City now occupy sixth place with as many games to go, three points in front of the Baggies ahead of Tuesday’s crunch clash.
Manning said: “The atmosphere inside the ground today was brilliant and it was great to see how many supporters stayed behind after the final whistle to applaud the efforts of the players.
“Their backing is so much appreciated and all I can ask is for the same in three days’ time. It is some while since our club has been in the position we now occupy at this stage of the season and I want everyone to enjoy it and dare to dream.
“My staff and players deserve so much credit for putting us where we are and, like myself, they will be giving everything over the last six games. We all work hard every day and only by continuing to do so can we hope to succeed.
“It was a mixed game for us today, but no one can doubt the effort and commitment of the players, or how much progress we have made this season. Being sixth with 40 games played is great, although only after 46 will the placings really count.
“We can only control our own performances and try to maintain a consistency. If we do that, we have as good a chance as anyone of finishing in the play-off zone.”
Watford boss Tom Cleverley said: “It was a huge blow losing Kwadwo Baah so early after we had made a really good start to the game. He has suffered a recurrence of his recent thigh injury and faces another lay-off.
“We are not the same attacking force without his pace, which was causing City problems. James Abankwah has made a mistake for their first goal, but that happens with young players and it’s important that we rally around him.
“The ball has clearly gone out of play in the build-up to their second goal. The referee has the support of an assistant and the fourth official, but still got it wrong. There is no more I can say.
“Mamadou Doumbia has made an impact as a substitute and scored a very good goal, so he has every chance of starting our next game. Unfortunately, the two-goal deficit gave us too much of a mountain to climb.
“Whether or not a play-off challenge is still on, I am very proud that we are stlll being mentioned as contenders near the end of a season that began with talk of relegation fears.”
