(FM14) Drink up thee cider!!!

Bristol City vs Chelsea - 14th March 2017
0-2



Manager's review
Both Andrew Booy and Jose Mourinho were able to name full strength sides for this clash (although City were without Marco Reus for rest of the season). That meant recalls for Alex Sandro, Jese, Martin Kaspar and Agustin Allione for Booy. Chelsea had reserve players Petr Cech and Dante out through injury.
The two teams lined up as follows:

It was a poor day at the office for Bristol City and a severe dent in their chase to finish in the Premier League top 4. Statistically the game was very even but a full strength Chelsea side proved why they are running away at the top of the Barclays Premier League and showed they are the team to beat. Oscar and MOTM Willian got the goals for Chelsea.

Leeds vs Bristol City - 18th March 2017
2-1
Buitrago 32 mins
Smalling 77 mins



Manager's review
Andrew Booy made one change to his side as Nathaniel Clyne came in for Martin Kaspar who was away on international duty with the Czech U21 side. Leeds had Jack Grealish and Dedryck Boyata out through injury and former City player Franco Zuculini on the bench.
The two teams lined up as follows:

Bottom of the table Leeds proved a harder contest for Andrew Booy's City than expected. Things initially went to script as City dominated the first half and lead through a Mario Buitrago goal from a Tom Ince headed layoff. However in the 2nd half Leeds forced their way back into the game and equalised through winger James Husband. Luckily for City substitute Chris Smalling got on the end of an Agustin Allione corner to seal a nervous 3 points for Bristol City.

March 2017 - THE REVIEW

Fixtures

CITY vs Chelsea - 4th March 2017 4-0 FA Cup 6th Round
Dortmund vs CITY - 7th March 2017 3-1 (5-3 agg) Champions League 1st Knockout Round Leg 2
CITY vs Wigan - 11th March 2017 4-0
CITY vs Chelsea - 14th March 2017 0-2
Leeds vs CITY - 18th March 2017 2-1



Monthly Awards

Best Player - Tom Ince - average rating 7.54

The English left winger has been playing regularly in the side after Marco Reus's season ending injury and hasn't disappointed. He contributed 4 assists and 1 goal this month. Andrew Booy must be thrilled he signed up Ince to a new longer term contract at the start of the year.

Highly commended
Chris Smalling - average rating 7.42
Has been a key player in the four victories for City this month, contributing 2 goals and consistently performing with match ratings in the mid 7's, either starting or from the bench as required.

Martin Kaspar - average rating 7.34
The 17 year old right back has recently dislodged Nathaniel Clyne in the City starting 11. Andrew Booy's decision to trust such a young player in the first team has been vindicated by consistent performances of 7 or above this month.

Coming Up.......



Bristol City players receive 1st caps

Congratulations to Bristol City players Lucas Evangelista, Domenico Berardi and Marko Blazic who during the March international break all earned their first caps for Brazil, Italy and Serbia respectively.



Bristol City sign Spanish 16 year old

Andrew Booy has signed left back Juan Antonio from Spanish side Elche's youth squad for a compensation fee of around 800,000 pounds. The teenage left back will join up with his new team in the summer.

Southampton vs Bristol City - 1st April 2017
1-0
Buitrago 14 mins
Kaspar 40 mins



Manager's review
City made one change to their side as Martin Kaspar came in for Clyne at right-back. Southampton had a large number of injuries to first team players to contend with as James Ward-Prowse, Valon Berisha, Mame Diouf, Marc Wilson, Liam Moore and Ivelin Popov were all unavailable. Also to make matters worse Seamus Coleman was suspended for the Saints.
The two teams lined up as follows:

Bristol City started this game well and deservedly lead after Jese got his 15th assist of the season to set up Mario Buitrago for his 30th goal of the season. The City strikers are the top assister and scorer for the team this campaign. Young City right back Martin Kaspar then showed a lack of maturity and picked up his 2nd yellow card of the game just before half time, his first professional sending off. Nathaniel Clyne came on for Jese and City went to a 4-4-1 formation and held on in the 2nd half to get the 3 points. After Arsenal lost their last two games to Norwich and Man Utd, Bristol City are now back in with a shout of securing the last Champions League qualification place.




Bristol City sign young South African defender

Andrew Booy has this week continued his policy of signing up youth players with the 300,000 pound signing of 16 year old central defender Siyabonga Zitho from South African side Bidvest Wits. Due to international laws the player will continue his development in his homeland and will join Bristol City in 2019 when he turns 18.

Bristol City vs Barcelona - 5th April 2017
1-0
Lucas Evangelista 8.1 rating
Lucas Evangelista 28 mins



Manager's review
Andrew Booy made no changes to his side for this massive Champions League Quarter Final 1st leg. Barcelona were struggling however and key players Neymar, Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Busquets had all picked up injuries in the weeks buildup to this match. Lionel Messi had passed a late fitness test on a damaged elbow and started for Barcelona.
The two teams lined up as follows:

On a cold wet evening in Bristol, current Spanish and European champions Barcelona met a Bristol City side competing in their first ever Champions League Quarter Final match. The game was relatively even and was won by a solitary Lucas Evangelista header from an Agustin Allione cross. The Robins hold a slim advantage going into a awe inspiring trip to the Nou Camp in only 6 days time. But up next for this City side is a trip down the M4 to Wembley for the FA Cup semi final on Saturday!!!!
In a interesting side story to this tie Bristol City manager was spotted having a close conversation with Barcelona attacker Kevin Volland after the game. Volland's contract is due to expire at the end of this season and many newspapers have latched onto the friendly exchange with many pundits linking the German to a Ashton Gate switch in the summer.

Bristol City vs Newcastle - 8th April 2017
4-0
Berardi 8.9 rating
Papiss Cisse 14 mins
Jese 20 mins
Berardi 24 mins
Jonny Howson 39 mins
Bogado 30 mins





Manager's review
Andrew Booy shuffled his pack for this game with one eye on the crucial Champions League 2nd leg in Barcelona in 3 days time. Clyne, Smalling, Bogado, Rodrigo Gomez, Alvaro and Berardi came in for Kaspar, Alex Sandro, Allione, Lucas Evangelista, Ince and Buitrago. Newcastle had Moussa Sissoko and Robbie Brady injured and January signing Charlie Austin was cup tied. Bristol City's top scorer last season, Danny Welbeck, lined up against his old club.
The two teams lined up as follows:

A largely second string Bristol City booked their place in their 1st ever FA Cup Final thanks to a fantastic 1st half performance. The score was opened after Papiss Cisse failed to clear a Chris Smalling header from a Bogado corner, instead diverting the ball into the Newcastle net. Jese doubled the lead for City after Tim Krul fumbled a simply cross into the strikers feet to score into an empty net. Domenico Berardi lashed in the third after a good run and cross down the right from fullback Nathaniel Clyne. Then devastatingly for City winger Esteban Gabriel Jesus Bogado he tore his hamstring after half an hour meaning he will be out for 2-3 months and miss the remainder of Bristol City's season. The 4th City goal was another embarrassing own goal from Jonny Howson this time from a Berardi corner.

Bristol City now meet Liverpool in the FA CUP FINAL on the 6th May!!!!

Barcelona vs Bristol City - 11th April 2017
5-2 (5-3 on aggregate)
Jese 38 mins
Berardi 90+1 mins



Manager's review
City recalled many of their starting 11 after resting them for the FA Cup Semi Final victory a few days ago. Kaspar, Alex Sandro, Allione, Lucas Evangelista, Ince and Buitrago all cam in for Clyne, Denswil, Bogado, Gomez, Alvaro and Berardi. Barcelona welcomed back Sergio Busquets from injury but Neymar and Cesc Fabregas were still out injured.
The two teams lined up as follows:

Bristol City perhaps were overawed by a 90,000 plus crowd at the Camp Nou as their European adventure for this season came to an end. Lionel Messi controversially put Barcelona level on aggregate after only 5 minutes after a dodgy penalty award for a foul by Eder Alvarez Balanta. However City levelled and went 2-1 up on aggregate after a superb Tom Ince ball found Jese clean through on goal for a calm finish. In the next 20 minutes of play either side of half time Barcelona's class shone through as two goals a piece from Alexis Sanchez and Messi (completing his hat trick) put Barcelona 5-1 up on the night and the tie was over. Domenico Berardi headed home a Buitrago cross in injury time but it was merely a consolation. Andrew Booy will now have to focus on finishing in the top 4 this season to compete in the Champions League again next year!!!!

Bristol City vs Hull - 15th April 2017
3-1
Allione 9.0 rating
Can 4 mins
Jese 30, 35 mins



Manager's review
Bristol City named their strongest possible 11 for this match meaning a recall for Stefano Denswil for Chris Smalling. Hull had Leroy Fer, Thievy and Shane Long out through injury.
The two teams lined up as follows:

Andrew Booy was pleased his side got back to winning ways in the league after the disappointment of losing so badly to Barcelona in midweek. The match started with a rare sight, an Emre Can goal!!! And what a goal it was scoring into an empty Hull net from 45 yards after a poor defensive clearance. The German has been working hard at bettering his ability to play in central midfield in training this season and his reward was his first goal for Bristol City. Then MOTM Agustin Allione assisted Jese twice in the space of 5 minutes to make the score 3-0. With the game wrapped up the Robins took their foot off the gas and youth graduate Craig Brown scored a consolation for Hull.
The table looks as follows with 5 games for Bristol City to play this season.

City make changes to their U21 staff roster

Andrew Booy this week hired Brazilian Pierre to their U21 coaching setup. He only recently left his club Atletico Mineiro at the age of 35 after playing almost 400 games in the Brazilian top flight as a defensive midfielder. This will be his first non-playing role. Pierre has attributes in both tactics and shooting coaching. Following Pierre's arrival Sebastian Kaul's contract has been terminated with immediate effect. He had been a defensive coach for the U21's side 2014.





U21 and U18 update

The Bristol City U21 squad this week reached the under 21s Group 1 Final for the 2nd season in a row after an emphatic 7-0 win against Chelsea U21s in the semi final. Alex Mint particularly impressed with 4 goals in the rout. They will play Man City Under 21s next Monday for the title.


The U18 squad just missed out on the semi finals after finishing 3rd in the U18s Group 1 South division. Man City and Man Utd play in the final.

Bristol City vs Cardiff - 18th April 2017
6-2
Buitrago 9.5 rating
Ince 12, 36 mins
Jese 24 mins
Buitrago 44, 83 mins
Rodrigo Gomez 90 mins



Manager's review
City made one change from the Hull win 3 days prior as Nathaniel Clyne came in for Martin Kaspar at right back. Cardiff had no major injury concerns for this local derby.
The two teams lined up as follows:

Bristol City got sweet revenge on their local rivals after tasting defeat to them earlier in the season in Wales. City scored 6 for the first time this season through Tom Ince (2), Jese, Mario Buitrago (2) and Rodrigo Gomez. After Arsenal won and Man City surprisingly lost at home to Newcastle Bristol City now know that if they win their 4 remaining Barclays Premier League fixtures they will finish in the top 4!!!

Stoke vs Bristol City - 22nd April 2017
5-2
Jese 8.8 rating
Jese 8, 61 mins
Buitrago 63 mins
Lucas Evangelista 68 mins
Alex Sandro 73 mins



Manager's review
Andrew Booy picked his strongest possible 11 which meant a recall for Martin Kaspar for Nathaniel Clyne. Stoke were without only defenders James Tomkins and Nathan Baker through injury.
The two teams lined up as follows:

This game didn't kick into life until the 60th minute at which time Bristol City were 1-0 up thanks to an early goal from Jese in the 8th minute. Then in a crazy 20 minute period Bristol scored 4 times to Stoke's 2. Jese, Mario Buitrago, Lucas Evangelista and Alex Sandro (his 1st for the club) scored for the visitors, Jamie Paterson and Thorgan Hazard for the home side. It certainly was an entertaining game for the Britannia Stadium crowd.
With 3 games left of the season Andrew Booy's side look strong contenders for another 3rd place finish in the league.

Bristol City U21s win league

A Bristol City reserve/U21 side won the U21 championship in front of a packed Ashton Gate crowd at the 2nd time of asking (they lost at the same stage last season). The result shows a real depth of quality in Andrew Booy's squad!!!!!

Norwich vs Bristol City - 29th April 2017
3-2
Lucas Evangelista 8.3 rating
Allione 6 mins
Buitrago 33 mins
Jese 34 mins
Kaspar 77 mins
Rodrigo Gomez 90+2 mins



Manager's review
City manager Andrew Booy named an unchanged lineup for this match. Norwich only had 1st choice keeper John Ruddy out through injury. Right winger Yann-Erik de Lanlay lined up for Norwich against his former club. The two teams lined up as follows:

Bristol City continued their rich vein of form as the three best players for the month of April, Agustine Allione, Mario Buitrago and Jese, put them into a commanding 3-0 lead. Then Norwich came back into the game through strikers Nicklas Helenius and top scorer Saido Berahino. Bristol City commendably held on for the 3 points especially as the finished the game down to 9 men thanks to injuries to Martin Kaspar and Rodrigo Gomez after Booy had used his 3 substitutes. 17 year old Kaspar was inconsolably in tears when he sprained his ankle as the injury ends his season and the chance to play in an FA Cup Final next week!!! Manager Andrew Booy was quick to tell the youngster "don't worry Martin there will be many more final appearances for you in a City shirt".

April 2017 - THE REVIEW

Fixtures

Southampton vs CITY - 1st April 2017 1-0
CITY vs Barcelona - 5th April 2017 1-0 Champions League Quarter Final Leg 1
CITY vs Newcastle - 8th April 2017 4-0 FA Cup Semi Final
Barcelona vs CITY - 11th April 2017 2-5 (3-5 on aggregate) Champions League Quarter Final Leg 2
CITY vs Hull - 15th April 2017 3-1
CITY vs Cardiff - 18th April 2017 6-2
Stoke vs CITY - 22nd April 2017 5-2
Norwich vs CITY - 29th April 2017 3-2



Monthly Awards

Best Player - Jese - average rating 8.12

The City striker really improved his form this month especially on the goal scoring month. He netted 8 goals in 8 games and also contributed 4 assists. He picked up the Barclays Premier League player of the month award!!

His 18 assists in 206/2017 is also a new Bristol City season record.


Highly commended
Agustin Allione - average rating 7.80
The right winger contributed 1 goal and 4 assists this month and came runner up to Jese in the Player of the Month award.
Mario Buitrago - average rating 7.78
The City captain scored 5 goals and got 3 assists in a productive month. He also came runner up to Jese in the Player of the Month award making it a clean sweep for Bristol City players in April.

Andrew Booy also won the Manager of the Month award.



Coming Up.......

Bristol City vs Crystal Palace - 2nd May 2017
1-0
Alvaro 7.7 rating
Allione 2 mins
Powell 90+4 mins



Manager's review
Andrew Booy understandably named a weakened side in the mid week fixture with their FA Cup Final only 4 days away. Crystal Palace had Adrian Mariappa and Gary Mackay-Steven out injured and Ben Gibson suspended.
The two teams lined up as follows:

Bristol City's 2nd string did the goods for Andrew Booy in a game were they knew a point would secure Champions League qualification for next season. Agustin Allione got the early goal from an Alvaro assist. The City medical team had their hearts in their mouths in injury time when Nick Powell (starting his first game in 7 months) went down holding his leg but scans after the game thankfully revealed Powell's cruciate ligament was still intake. The result unfortunately meant that Crystal Palace were relegated from the Premier League.

FA Cup Final Build-up



Bristol City this weekend go into only their 2nd ever FA Cup Final in their 120 year history against 7 times winners of the competition Liverpool.

Andrew Booy has faced Brendan Rodgers 4 times in his Bristol City managerial career with the Bristolian having the slight edge on their previous encounters.


Bristol City's route to the final has been difficult beating heavyweights Chelsea and Man City on the rout to Wembley.