(FM14) Drink up thee cider!!!

Crystal Palace vs Bristol City - 23rd January 2016 FA Cup 4th Round
5-1
Bradley 9.4 rating
Bradley 9, 77 mins
Welbeck 19 mins
Lucas Evangelista 35 mins
Allione 71 mins
Lucas Evangelista 58 mins



Manager's review
Andrew Booy made only one change to the side as Nathaniel Clyne was cup tied so 16 year old Martin Kaspar played his first ever game for Bristol City. Tony Pulis was without a number of key players as Jonathan Parr was suspended and Mile Jedinak and Joel Ward were injured. Also Crystal Palace played and lost the 2nd leg of the Capital One Cup Semi Final in midweek so Jon Williams could only make the bench because of fatigue. The two teams lined up as follows:

Crystal Palace were clearly a tired side for this one and Bristol City put them to the sword emphatically. Michael Bradley opened the scoring after a clever through ball from Mario Buitrago on 9 minutes. Ten minutes later it was 2-0 as Mario Buitrago robbed a Palace defender and squared the ball to Danny Welbeck to drill in. In the 35th minute Agustin Allione cut a ball back to the edge of the area for Lucas Evangelista to score his 1st goal of the season. On the hour mark Lucas Evangelista picked up his 2nd yellow card which looked to have tarnished City's day but they kicked on with a 4th goal from Agustin Allione after being set up by substitute Rodrigo Gomez. It was the right wingers 10th goal of a fantastic season so far!! Then it was the debutants time in the sun as Martin Kaspar squared the ball to MOTM Michael Bradley to get his 2nd goal of the game. City were unlucky not to keep a 3rd consecutive clean sheet as sub Kana-Biyik brought down Jean Kouassi in the area and Sullay Kaikai score from the spot with 5 minutes remaining. A dominant performance from Andrew Booy's team who have been drawn at home to Swansea in the 5th round.

Kasper makes professional debut

What a day for the Czech right back Martin Kaspar who becomes the youngest player to ever play under manager Andrew Booy aged 16 years and 193 days old.

Bristol City vs Cardiff - 26th January 2016
3-0
Allione 9.0 rating
Denswil 9 mins
Buitrago 10, 68 mins



Manager's review
Andrew Booy made three changes from the FA Cup tie at the weekend as Nathaniel Clyne returned at the expense of youngster Martin Kaspar. Also Eder Alvarez Balanta will serve the first of a two game ban for receiving 10 yellow cards this season so Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik comes in. Rodrigo Gomez also starts for the suspended Lucas Evangelista. Roy Keane had Gary Medel missing through suspension and Fabio out injured. Ex Bristol City player Jay Emmanuel-Thomas started at left wing with ex Robin Matej Vydra also on the Cardiff bench. The two teams lined up as follows:

In this South-West derby Cardiff clearly came with the game plan to stifle Bristol City by packing the midfield in a 4-5-1 formation. It didn't take the home team long to break the deadlock however as Stefano Denswil headed in at the near post from a well routined Agustin Allione corner. From the restart it was 2-0 to Bristol City as Mario Buitrago pounced on a saved Danny Welbeck shot to double the lead. With the game losing its spark Mario Buitrago added his 2nd goal as MOTM Agustin Allione played him in from the right with a wonderful pass. Bristol City moved up to 1st in the table as Arsenal drew at Newcastle and Liverpool lost at home to Man City!!!

Ansell makes professional debut
Only 3 days after right back Martin Kaspar earned his professional debut City youngster Austin Ansell played his first game for the club coming on in the dying moments of this local derby with Cardiff. Andrew Booy clearly is building a team for the future with this exciting bunch of youngsters coming through into first team reckoning.

Wigan vs Bristol City - 30th January 2016
3-0
Welbeck 8.2 rating
Welbeck 2 mins
Allione 10 mins
Buitrago 42 mins



Manager's review
Andrew Booy made only one change to the side that beat local rivals Cardiff last game as Lucas Evangelista returned from suspension to replace Rodrigo Gomez in central midfield. New Wigan manager Eddie Howe had virtually a full strength side to choose from with only squad player James McArthur missing through suspension. The two teams lined up as follows:

Bristol City started the game strongly again. They were 2-0 up within 10 minutes and the below graph highlights how productive City have been in the opening minutes of games.

In the 2nd minute Mario Buitrago set up MOTM Danny Welbeck for a tap in finish at the back post. Then after Danny Welbeck's shot was saved by Scott Carson Agustin Allione finished into an empty net on 10 minutes. Then just before half time a Stefano Denswil free kick was finished by Mario Buitrago. City had to thank their goalkeeper for their clean sheet as Marc-Andre ter Stegen saved a Eugene Seleznyov penalty in the 2nd half after Kana-Biyik had fouled in the area. Andrew Booy was also happy to see that title contenders Liverpool lost to Swansea and Chelsea drew with Southampton.

January 2016 - THE REVIEW

Fixtures

CITY vs Rotherham - 2nd January 2016 5-0 FA Cup 3rd Round
Man City vs CITY - 9th January 2016 3-3
Hull vs CITY - 12th January 2016 2-0
CITY vs Q.P.R. - 16th January 2016 4-0
Crystal Palace vs CITY - 23rd January 2016 5-1 FA Cup 4th Round
CITY vs Cardiff - 26th January 2016 3-0
Wigan vs CITY - 30th January 2016 3-0



Monthly Awards

Best Player - Agustin Allione - average rating 8.42

Allione Allione scored 4 goals and provided 5 assists in a fantastic month. He also won the Premier League player of the month award for the 2nd month in succession and is easily the top average rated player in the league with an OPTA rating of 7.65 for the season.


Highly commended
Mario Buitrago - average rating 8.32
Buitrago came 2nd to Allione in the Premier League player of the month award but managed to win the Young Player of the month award for the 3rd time this season. He scored 7 goals in January and provided 4 assists.


Stefano Denswil - average rating 8.02
Denswil was a rock at the back for City this month (except for his horror performance against Man City) and helped City keep 5 clean sheets out of 7 matches. He also scored a goal and got an assist as he has been given the role as primary free kick taker in the starting 11.

Manager Andrew Booy also won the Barclays Premier League manager of the month award for the 3rd time this season.

City reject big bids.....

The January 2016 transfer deadline did not involve any incomings or outgoings at Ashton Gate but it was a hugely successful window for manager Andrew Booy as he managed to fend of interest from major European clubs for his two star centre backs.

Eder Alvarez Balanta was subject to a 26.5 million pound offer from Premiership rivals Manchester City which Booy rebuffed with the promise to the defender that Bristol City would qualify for the Champions League this season.



Stefano Denswil was also the subject of interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid who tabled a 17.5 million pound offer for the Dutchman which was also rejected by Bristol City.



The window was relatively quiet for most teams across Europe. The summary of major transfers is below:

City hire ex England Fitness Coach

Bristol City have added Russia national team Fitness Coach Massimo Neri to the staff roster and Jose Angel Ochoa has left the club after joining in 2014. Neri has experience of coaching with Juventus, England, Real Madrid and Roma and will compete his duties at Ashton Gate while continuing his role for the Russian National side.

Bristol City lose top spot

Chelsea vs Bristol City - 6th February 2016
0-3



Manager's review
Both teams had full strength sides to choose from in this eagerly awaited clash at the top of the Premiership table. Eder Alvarez Balanta was back from a 2 game suspension in place of Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik. The only absentee for Chelsea was Mario Mandzukic through injury. The two teams lined up as follows:

Bristol City never got going in this vital game which they really didn't want to lose. Goals from the front three of Willian, Diego Costa and Eden Hazard saw off a overwhelmed City side on the day. City had their moments but the gulf in class shone through. The top three of Arsenal, Chelsea and Bristol City are now separated by just two points with 12 games remaining after Arsenal beat Liverpool in the other big game of the weekend.

Bristol City secure victory at Ashton Gate

Bristol City vs Sunderland - 9th February 2016
1-0
Bradley 7.3 rating
Vergini 34 mins



Manager's review
Andrew Booy kept faith with his strongest possible starting 11 despite the loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last time out. Gus Poyet was without the injured quartet of Guillermo Ochoa, Ignacio Scocco, Lee Cattermole and El Hadji Ba. The two teams lined up as follows:

City never really got going in this game but thankfully a Santiago Vergini own goal from a corner was enough to see off a lacklustre Sunderland side. The Premier League run-in is starting to look like a three horse race between Arsenal, Chelsea and Bristol City as the top three won and Liverpool drew to Hull and Man City lost to Arsenal.

Bristol City vs Swansea - 14th February 2016 FA Cup 5th Round
3-2
Bradley 30 mins
Allione 38 mins
Buitrago 90+1 mins



Manager's review
Andrew Booy made only one enforced change to his side as Nathaniel Clyne was cup tied again so Martin Kaspar played after his impressive debut in the last round of the FA Cup. Under fire Steve Clarke had Jordi Amat, Oussama Assaidi, Ben Davies and Jason Lowe out through injury. The two teams lined up as follows:

City were the better side and deserved to win as Swansea only had 3 shots on goal in the entire match. The Swans took the lead through a header from MOTM Wilfried Bony from a corner. Bristol City equalised after Lucas Evangelista released Michael Bradley in the area to smash in low into the corner. After Mario Buitrago was fouled on the edge of the area Agustin Allione stepped up and curled the free kick into the top corner to make it 2-1. Allione has only recently taken over free kick duties from Stefano Denswil and his practicing on the training ground has clearly paid off. In the 2nd half Michu equalised for Swansea against the run of play. Andrew Booy had to wait until the 91st minute to book a date against League One Preston in the 6th round after Mario Buitrago got a late winner after good work from sub Rodrigo Gomez on the byline.

Quality of possession provides victory

Bristol City vs Man Utd - 20th February 2016
3-1
Allione 8.2 rating
Evra 34 mins
Buitrago 51 mins
Allione 70 mins



Manager's review
Andrew Booy made only one change to the side as Nathaniel Clyne returned for Martin Kaspar at right back. Danny Welbeck lined up against his old club. New Man Utd manager Frank de Boer only had one absentee as Wayne Rooney had not recovered in time from his twisted knee. The two teams lined up as follows:

Bristol City new prior to kickoff that Chelsea had been held to a goalless draw at Fulham so this was a chance to gain points on their tital rivals. It was a cagey opening half hour before Man Utd defender Patrice Evra comically put into his own net from a nothing cross from the left wing. It was a poor first half from Bristol City and United got the equaliser they deserved just before the half time whistle through right winger Nani. City manager Andrew Booy gave his players a rollocking at half time which seemed to work as Agustin Allione headed back to Mario Buitrago at the back post to take the score to 2-1. The Robins didn't have a nervous finish as MOTM Agustin Allione slotted into an empty net after Danny Welbeck's near post shot was saved. The top of the table after the weekend fixtures now looks as follows with 10 games remaining.

Buitrago sends Bristol City top

Everton vs Bristol City - 27th February 2016
3-2
Buitrago 8.8 rating
Welbeck 15 mins
Buitrago 45+1, 68 mins



Manager's review
Andrew Booy made no changes to the side that beat Man Utd last time out. New Everton manager Uwe Rosler only had Ross Barkley unavailable through injury. The two teams lined up as follows:

This was the first Premiership game of the weekend and it was shown live on BT Sport so it gave Bristol City the chance to put pressure on their other title contenders. Danny Welbeck gave City the lead by slotting into an empty net after Michael Bradley's shot was saved. Everton equalised through Aiden McGeady in the 41st minute. There was still time in the 1st half for City to regain the lead after Agustin Allione crossed for Mario Buitrago to head in at the near post. With 20 minutes remaining it looked like MOTM Mario Buitrago had put the game beyond doubt only for City goalkeeper ter Stegen to make it a nervy end to the game after passing directly to Steven Naismith to score into an empty net. The top 5 teams in the table all won so there was no change at the top with 9 games remaining.

Chelsea win Capital One Cup







Tielemans to join Bristol City

Andrew Booy has already begun to look to next season by signing 18 year old central midfielder Youri Tielemans on a pre-contract agreement. He will join Bristol City in the summer when his contract with Anderlecht will expire.

February 2016 - THE REVIEW

Fixtures

Chelsea vs CITY - 6th February 2016 0-3
CITY vs Sunderland - 9th February 2016 1-0
CITY vs Swansea - 14th February 2016 3-2 FA Cup 5th Round
CITY vs Man Utd - 20th February 2016 3-1
Everton vs CITY - 27th February 2016 3-2



Monthly Awards

Best Player - Mario Buitrago - average rating 7.34

Buitrago scored 4 goals in the month and is now level with strike partner Danny Welbeck on 18 goals for the season. He came 3rd in the Premier League young player of the month award.

Highly commended
Agustin Allione - average rating 7.34
Another good month for the right winger. Top assister at the club and in the Premier League with 15 assists for the season in all competitions. Scored 2 goals and got 2 assists for the month. Came 2nd in the young player of the month award.

Michael Bradley - average rating 7.24
Did not play one game with a rating of less than 7.0 in the month. Has settled in to his new club admirably and got one goal and one assist for the month.

Manager Andrew Booy came 2nd to Arsene Wenger in the Barclays Premier League manager of the month award.

Preston vs Bristol City - 6th March 2016 FA Cup Quarter Final
3-0
Ince 8.2 rating
Ince 1 mins
Allione pen 19 mins
Welbeck 24 mins
Allione 21 mins



Manager's review
It was the usual one change for FA Cup matches for Andrew Booy as cup tied Nathaniel Clyne was replaced by Martin Kaspar. Preston manager Karl Robinson was plagued with injuries as Stephen Ward, James Wilson, Paul Anderson and Mark Hudson were all absent. The two teams lined up as follows:

Relegation threatened Preston are currently 23rd in Sky Bet League One so they have done fantastically to reach the Quarter Finals of the FA Cup but they came against a Bristol City side too good for them on the day. City were 1-0 up within 60 seconds as MOTM Tom Ince blocked a Saidy Janko clearance into the Preston net. Then after Mario Buitrago was fouled in the 19th minute Agustin Allione scored the resulting penalty. Amazingly City were awarded another penalty 2 minutes later but Allione's spot kick was this time saved by Marek Stech. Danny Welbeck got the 3rd goal on 24 minutes after his initial shot was saved. The game was boring in the 2nd half as both teams knew the tie was over. Bristol City are through to the FA Cup Semi Finals for the 2nd season in a row and the draw is below:

Bristol City vs Southampton - 13th March 2016
2-0
Ince 8.1 rating
Buitrago 8 mins
Ince 31 mins
Alvarez Balanta 74 mins



Manager's review
Andrew Booy made only one change to the side as Nathaniel Clyne came in to face his former club for the first time since joining Bristol City, Martin Kaspar made way. Julian Green was unavailable as he joined up with the USA U23 squad for the upcoming Olympic Qualifiers. Southampton were without Jay Rodriguez, Mame Diouf, Adam Lallana and Callum Chambers but there was a start for former City player Stefan Strandberg. The two teams lined up as follows:

City dominated against a Southampton side tired from their midweek Europa League game and Mario Buitrago gave his side the lead after former Saints right back assisted him with a cross after an attacking run down the right wing. MOTM for the 2nd game in a row Tom Ince got the 2nd after Danny Welbeck's shot was saved. Ince now has the most MOTM performances for City this season with 7. The only blip on the afternoon was the sending off of Eder Alvarez Balanta for his 2nd booking on 74 minutes. Alvarez Balanta's discipline this season has been poor, the centre back has picked up 12 yellow cards and 2 red cards so far this season and will now miss the next two Premier League games. It looks like no team in the title race is letting up steam as highlighted by the below form table for the Premier League: