(FM14) Drink up thee cider!!!

Ashton Gate expansion complete!!

After Bristol City's inaugural campaign in the Barclays Premier Division the construction work on their Ashton Gate home has been completed in the summer of 2016. The stadium is now a 26,000 all-seater structure with ongoing work still taking place to make it into a 29,000 capacity home.



Andrew Booy offered Gunners hottest and on shortlist for England job



After 3 fantastic years at Bristol City manager Andrew Booy was offered the vacant managers job at Arsenal after long-serving Arsene Wenger retired after 20 years in charge of the London club. Italian Claudio Ranieri was given the job of succeeding Wenger after Booy rejected the approach from the Arsenal board.





It was also rumoured that Booy was shortlisted for the vacant England job as Roy Hodgson retired after losing in the Euro 2016 2nd round to Croatia. Dutchman Marco van Basten was eventually the man to take the job however. France won the competition beating Italy 1-0 in the final.





This summer also saw Chile defeat Colombia 4-2 in the final of the Copa America. Bristol City players Mario Buitrago and Eder Alvarez Balanta both played in the Colombian side that finished runner-up.

The results are below:



vs Sageata N. (A) 2-0
Jese and Emre Can in the starting 11. Booy continued with the 4-4-2 attacking formation that worked so well last three seasons. Goals from Ansell and Berardi (came off the bench) secured the win against Romanian outfit.

vs ESTAC Troyes (H) 4-0
Another solid performance against French side with goals from Berardi, Jese and Ince (2).

vs Inter (H) 2-0
Lots of absentees through either International or fitness issues. Therefore goals from Rodrigo Gomez and Jese sealed strong win against Serie A side at Ashton Gate.

vs Carlisle (A) 4-0
City easily brushed aside a weak Carlisle team with strong performances from Jese and Berardi in particular who got two goals each in rout.

vs FC Nantes (A) 0-1
City entered a Friendly Cup competition hosted by Nantes but lost to the French side after dominating the game.

vs FC Nantes (N) 4-0
In the 3rd place playoff of the Friendly Cup City beat European Champions Barcelona by 4 goals thanks to strikes from Rodrigo Gomez (2), Berardi and Konoplyanka.

vs Benfica (H) 5-2
In the final pre-season game goals from Alex Sandro, Jese (2), Berardi and Ricardo Gomez secured an impressive win against Portuguese champions Benfica.

Premiership preview 2016/17



Bristol City have odds of 16/1 to win the English Premier Division this season meaning the bookies predict them to finish around 7th this season based on these odds. Andrew Booy was expecting this media prediction and was quoted as saying "after our success last season I hope the team can maintain the high expectations we have now built for ourselves and our fans".


The Squad 2016/2017........

GK

Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Still the best player in City squad and one of the top GKs in the game. Following Marc Wilson's departure ter Stegen has been appointed the new City vice captain.

Gerry Taylor
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Backup for ter Stegen. England U18 keeper who has same potential as ter Stegen. Has progressed immensely last season and could put pressure on the number 1 shirt especially in League Cup.

DL

Emre Can
Current Ability

Potential Ability

New signing can play either left-back or central midfield and is likely to play in both positions throughout season as required. Long-term should nail down left-back role once reachs potential.

Alex Sandro
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Arguably better than Can at left-back but has limited room for growth so Can is first choice.

DR

Nathaniel Clyne
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Currently 1st choice right back but arguably weakest link in starting 11. Could be replaced by Martin Kaspar by January.

Martin Kaspar
Current Ability

Potential Ability

17 year old who has potential to be best RB in the game. Seriously progressed last season and will replace Clyne in starting 11 soon hopefully.

DC

Eder Alvarez Balanta
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Best defender at club and still progressing. Will relish chance of playing whole season in his favoured centre-back position.

Stefano Denswil
Current Ability

Potential Ability

2nd best defender at club after Alvarez Balanta. Has potential to develop strong partnership with Colombian at CB for years to come but needs to progress quicker than he did in the 2nd half of last season.

Chris Smalling
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Backup defender who can play either centre-back or right-back.

Fanch Le Bras
Current Ability

Potential Ability

16 year old who can progress into one of the best centre backs in the game if trained properly.

ML

Eugene Konoplyanka
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Ukrainian international who will be first choice left winger at start of campaign after signing on free transfer.

Tom Ince
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Been a first team regular for two seasons but now 2nd choice to Konoplyanka. In last year of contract so may leave club in January.

Lucas Ocampos
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Spent last year on loan at Dortmund but did not progress significantly. Will spent this year at German side Schalke on loan.

Alvaro
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Has potential to be best left winger in game. Will look to progress with U18 squad mainly this season.

MR

Agustin Allione
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Premier League player go year last season. Will be key to City success this year.

Rodrigo Gomez
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Backup midfielder who can play either right wing or central midfield.

Ricardo Gomez
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Will look to progress quickly this season but most likely won't feature for senior squad.

CM

Lucas Evangelista
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Best midfielder in team after progressing last year. Can play as either deep lying or advanced playmaker.

Michael Bradley
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Should partner Lucas Evangelista in central midfield. At 29 years old oldest player in City squad who could be replaced in near future. Box to box midfielder.

Youri Tielemans
Current Ability

Potential Ability

19 year old will play out at Real Sociedad this season and hope to progress.

Joaquin Guillamon
Current Ability

Potential Ability

16 year old who will develop with U18 squad this season.

FC

Mario Buitrago
Current Ability

Potential Ability

City captain and easily best outfield player. Will lead the line by example in his 3rd season at club.

Jese
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Advanced forward who is direct replacement for Danny Welbeck. Hopes to form lethal partnership with Buitrago upfront.

Domenico Berardi
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Backup to Buitrago and Jese but still decent quality so an able replacement if needed.

Austin Ansell
Current Ability

Potential Ability

18 year old who will maybe get limited gametime from bench this season. Also can play right wing.

Newcastle vs Bristol City - 13th August 2016
2-2
Buitrago 8.2 rating
Buitrago 18 mins
Jese 42 mins
Alex Sandro 69 mins



Manager's review
Andrew Booy had only two absentees from his squad as Agustin Allione and Lucas Evangelista were playing in the Olympic Games for Argentina and Brazil respectively so would miss the opening two games of the season. Bristol City gave debuts to new signings Jese, Emre Can and Eugene Konoplyanka in their starting 11. Newcastle manager Gary Bowyer had Steven Caulker, Jonny Howson and Robbie Brady missing through injury but ex City players Danny Welbeck and Maikel Kieftenbeld lined up against their old club. The two teams lined up as follows:

City were a goal down within 4 minutes thanks to a bullet header from Ravel Morrison from an early corner routine. Andrew Booy's side bounced back though as Mario Buitrago and Jese showed signs of an early partnership as they combined to assist each other for a goal a piece to mean City went in 2-1 up at half time. The game turned in the 69th minute however as Alex Sandro was sent off for a professional foul....it was a dubious decision to say the least. City then went to a 4-4-1 formation to try and see out the game but Newcastle soon equalised through Luuk de Jong. In the end after playing the game with 10 men for the last 20 minutes Andrew Booy was happy to come away from St James Park with a point on the opening day of the season.

Bristol City build for the future

Andrew Booy has continued his summer recruit drive with the signing of two 18 year old midfielders. Argentinian right winger Esteban Gabriel Jesus Bogado joins from Boca Juniors for a fee of 11.5 million pounds and Serbian central midfielder Marko Blazic joins from Partizan Belgrade for 1.1 million pounds. Both are seen as players for the future and eventually break into the Bristol City starting 11.







Perhaps because of these new arrivals Andrew Booy has allowed youngster Austin Ansell to join Championship side Watford on loan for the rest of the season to get some first team experience. City will receive around 200k per month for the duration of the loan.

Bristol City vs Arsenal - 20th August 2016
1-1
Buitrago 7.1 rating
Buitrago 78 mins



Manager's review
City left back Alex Sandro was suspended for this game thanks to his red card at Newcastle so Chris Smalling came in for his first start for the club and Eder Alvarez Balanta moved to left back in the only change. Agustin Allione and Lucas Evangelista were competing against each other today in the Olympic Games Final, in which Argentina and Allione beat Brazil 3-1 to win the Gold medal. New Arsenal manager Claudio Ranieri only had Theo Walcott absent through injury. The two teams lined up as follows:

City went into the game knowing that last season league runners up did the double over them however they were not overawed and dominated the first half and were unlucky to go in at half time 1-0 down thanks to a Timo Werner strike. However with 15 minutes remaining Andrew Booy went to an attacking 4-4-2 formation and MOTM Mario Buitrago equalised for City after being assisted by strike partner Jese.

Tottenham vs Bristol City - 27th August 2016
3-3
Buitrago 30 mins
Lucas Evangelista 87 mins
Berardi 90+4 mins



Manager's review
Andrew Booy could welcome Lucas Evangelista and Agustin Allione into the starting 11 in place of Rodrigo Gomez and Chris Smalling. Spurs manager Martin Jol had no absentees from his squad on the back of qualifying for the Champions League in midweek. The two teams lined up as follows:

Spurs striker Harry Kane put his side ahead after 3 minutes, another early goal conceded by Bristol City. After half an hour Mario Buitrago put City level after an assist from the impressive Lucas Evangelista. Andrew Booy's half time team talk was made difficult however as Mousa Dembele put Tottenham ahead again from a free kick routine. City looked to be heading for defeat when Roberto Soldado put Spurs 2 goals up in the 2nd half. However it was a dramatic end to the game as City rescued a point, first Lucas Evangelista scored a tap in after good right wing work by Allione, then City subs Rodrigo Gomez and Domenico Berardi combined in the 4th minute of injury time to snatch a point for the Robins which meant they have drawn their first 3 games of the new season.

August 2016 - THE REVIEW

Fixtures

Newcastle vs CITY - 13th August 2016 2-2
CITY vs Arsenal - 20th August 2016 1-1
Tottenham vs CITY - 27th August 2016 3-3



Monthly Awards

Best Player - Mario Buitrago - average rating 7.47

The City captain started the season with 3 goals in 3 games and also won the Barclays Premier League young player of the month award.

Highly commended
Jese - average rating 7.07
The new signing started the season well scoring on his debut. He has set up Buitrago for two of his three goals so looks to be forming a partnership with the Colombian.

Coming Up.......

Booy and De Boer swap midfielders

On deadline day Bristol City completed the 14.75 million pound signing of 22 year old England international Nick Powell from Manchester United. The central midfielder is seen as a direct replacement for American Michael Bradley who goes the other way in the deal for 10.25 million pounds. Andrew Booy is delighted with the business as he is effectively losing 4.5 million in the deal but he gets the youthful Powell in exchange for the 29 year old Bradley. Powell is also only on a 30k per week contract, less than half the deal Bradley was on.







Other deals....

Andrew Booy also completed the outgoing loan deal of new signing Marko Blazic who joins Euro Cup side Shakhtar for the season. The Ukrainian side will pay the Serbians wages and contribute 200k per month for the duration of the loan.

Bristol City vs Everton - 10th September 2016
3-0
Allione 9.3 rating
Allione 12, 40 mins
Buitrago 84 mins
Powell 45+2 mins



Manager's review
Bristol City made one change to their side as new signing Nick Powell came in for his debut in place of the departed Michael Bradley. Everton Manager Uwe Rosler had three injuries to his squad as star man Ross Barkley, Kevin Mirallas and ex City loanee Bogdan Butko were all out. The two teams lined up as follows:

City dominated the game from the off and in the first half MOTM Agustin Allione had scored two goals from the right wing. One was a cross which was fumbled in by Tim Howard and the other smashed finish after a through ball from Jese. The performance was overshadowed by a horrible injury to new signing Nick Powell who had to be stretchered off in first half injury time. Powell is now likely to miss the whole season after seriously damaging his cruciate ligament! In a physical game Eder Alvarez Balanta and Eugene Konoplyanka also had to come off with knocks and will definitely miss at least the Champions League midweek game against Benfica. Mario Buitrago scored his 4th goal of the season with the game coming to a close after being assisted by substitute Tom Ince.

you have built such a good team at Bristol!

SLB vs Bristol City - 13th September 2016
2-1
Jese 45+1 mins



Manager's review
Andrew Booy had two make three enforced changes to his side for his inagural match as manager in the Champions League. Tom Ince, Chris Smalling and Alex Sandro came in for the injured Konoplyanka, Alvarez Balanta and Powell. Portuguese side Benfica were without injured Lazar Markovic, Jasper Cillessen and suspended Guilherme Siqueira. The two teams lined up as follows:

Perhaps City's nerves shone through in their first ever Champions League game as they were two goals down in the first 10 minutes thanks to strikes from Oscar Cardozo and Ola John. Jese did score Bristol City's first ever goal in this competition at the end of the first half but the result was a lose for Andrew Booy and Bristol City's first defeat of the season.

Liverpool vs Bristol City - 18th September 2016
2-2
Ince 4 mins
Jese 23 mins



Manager's review
Andrew Booy named exactly the same team as the one that lost in Portugal in midweek. For Liverpool Brendan Rodgers had a fully fit squad available to him. The two teams lined up as follows:

Bristol City started the game confidently and took the lead in the 4th minute after Jese's shot was saved Tom Ince pounced on the rebound. Bristol City then doubled their lead on 23 minutes when Ivan Rakitic played a poor backpass which Jese pounced on to score into an empty net. Bristol City were perhaps then guilty of sitting on their lead and Liverpool fought back to claim a point thanks to two goals from MOTM Facundo Ferreyra. City entered Anfield with the view that a point would be a good result but were disappointed to throw away a two goal advantage.

Everton vs Bristol City - 20th September 2016
4-1
Berardi 9.7 rating
Alvaro 5 mins
Berardi 46, 55, 71 mins



Manager's review
Bristol City named a youthful reserve side for this matchup showing that manager Andrew Booy has his priorities away from the Capital One Cup. He handed debuts to Alvaro, Gerry Taylor, Fanch Le Bras, Ricardo Gomez and Joaquin Guillamon (who became Bristol City's youngest ever player at 16 years and 44 days). Everton also named an understrength side. The two teams lined up as follows:

Bristol City proved that their squad depth is far superior to that of Merseyside side Everton as the youngsters in red dominated this game. Alvaro scored within 5 minutes of his debut after being assisted by Berardi. The Italian then scored a 2nd half hat trick himself after assists from Emre Can, Konoplyanka and Rodrigo Gomez from midfield. The 4th round has given Bristol City a tough away trip to current holders Chelsea.