(FM14) Drink up thee cider!!!

Bristol City vs Liverpool - 6th May 2017
3-0
Allione 8.2 rating
Can 10 mins
Jese 34 mins
Buitrago 90+2 mins
Can 75 mins
Alvarez Balanta 88 mins



Manager's review
Andrew Booy had no new injuries to contend with so only Marco Reus, Esteban Gabriel Jesus Bogado and Martin Kaspar were out with injuries. It was a dramatic week for Liverpool and they lost key defender Mamadou Sakho to injury in training. There were a couple of surprising inclusions by Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers in his starting lineup, 16 year old Peter Roberts played for the injured Sakho and Adem Ljajic started up front (only his 9th start of the season).
The two teams lined up as follows:

Bristol City started the match well and took the lead from a towering header from Emre Can who rose above youngster Roberts at a corner routine.

Then, on around 25 mins, Liverpool's 2nd surprise inclusion, Adem Ljajic also had a negative impact on the game having a poorly struck penalty saved by City keeper ter Stegen. Why on earth was Star Man Luis Suarez not taking the spot kick?!?!?! Bristol City took strength from this fortune and scored a wonderful goal on the break from Jese.
In the 2nd half the game got feisty as Liverpool tried to muscle their way back into the Final and tempers frayed with both Emre Can and Eder Alvarez Balanta getting sent off for picking up two yellow cards each. However even though City were down to 9 men captain Mario Buitrago got his 35th goal of the campaign to personally make it a perfect day as only seconds later he was walking up the steps to the Royal Box to lift the FA CUP FOR BRISTOL CITY.

Sunderland vs Bristol City - 14th May 2017
4-2
Buitrago 9.2 rating
Buitrago 50, 63 mins
Ochoa 56 mins
Jese 68 mins
Allione 29 mins



Manager's review
Bristol City named two changes to their side for this one as Chris Smalling and Rodrigo Gomez came in for the suspended Alvarez Balanta and Can. Sunderland had Steven Fletcher and Charis Mavrias out through injury.
The two teams lined up as follows:

City saw out the season with a win but it didn't come easy. They were 1-0 down at half time thanks to a goal from Adam Forshaw after half an hour. The 'hair-dryer' treatment worked for Booy at half-time though and 4 goals in the 2nd half from Mario Buitrago (2), Jese and Ochoa (own goal) sealed a final day win for the Robins. With his two goals today Buitrago set a new Bristol City record for number of goals in a season with 37 this campaign (the previous record was 35 by Sam Baldock in Andrew Booy's 1st season in charge).

The City captain was also the top scorer across all European leagues and won the European Golden Boot!!!

SEASON REVIEW 2016/17



Competitions round-up



Key Player Stats



Detailed Squad Stats



Premier League Awards

Bristol City best 11 season 2016/2017



Fans player of the year award

Winner - Mario Buitrago



It was the 2nd time the City Captain had picked up this award in his 3 years at the club. The Colombian striker set all sorts of records this season. He scored 37 goals in 50 starts, which was the highest in all of Europe and a new Bristol City club record. He also got the most PoM awards in a season with 11, another new club record. His average rating was 7.35 for the season and many football pundits have said he is competing with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the best player in the world. All at only the tender age of 22!!! The striker has already made 150 appearances for the Robins and Andrew Booy has found an absolute gem considering he only paid 5 million pounds for his service in 2014.

Managers player of the year award

Winner - Agustin Allione



The Argentinian winger was the winner of the Bristol City Fans and Managers player of the year and the Barclays Premier League player of the year last season and had another fantastic season in 2016/2017. This year he won the Premier League young player of the year award. He had the highest average rating of the City team with a OPTA rating of 7.50. Allione started 39 games this season, scored 15 goals and got 13 assists. He was voted PoM on 7 occasions.

Steve Lansdown announces plans for new Stadium/Training facilities at Ashton Gate

Nick Powell 24 million to Tottenham Hotspur

The England central midfielder only joined Bristol City at the end of last years summer transfer window from Man Utd for around 14.75 million pounds. However, unfortunately Powell severely damaged his cruciate ligament on his Bristol City debut against Everton. The result was he was out for the following 8 months and only went on to start one more game for the club. The 23 year old picked up 5 other injuries in 2016 before his nightmare Bristol City debut and since joining Spurs has broken his shoulder in pre-season. Perhaps Andrew Booy cashing in almost a 10 million pound profit on such an injury prone player was some seriously shrewd business.



Marco Reus 46.5 million to Chelsea

Like Powell, Marco Reus only joined City in January for a Club Record Fee of 29.5 million pounds. Again like Powell, Reus tore a calf muscle after only 10 games for his new club and missed the rest of the season. The German showed promise in the few games he played under Andrew Booy but he deteriorated during his injury and at the age of 28 was unlikely to work his way back to the standards he was at when Booy bought him. An Club Record incoming fee of 46.5 million from English and European champions was too good to turn down.



Chris Smalling 8.5 million to Liverpool

Signed on a Bosman free from Man Utd last summer Smalling was a key squad rotation player under Andrew Booy this season. Although he was predominantly used as a backup for regular centre-backs Eder Alvarez Balanta and Stefano Denswil he managed to start 23 games and was a used substitute 23 times as well. The England international was a mature member of the young City squad but Liverpool's bid of 8.5 million for a player who would be moving further down City's defensive pecking order was accepted reluctantly.



Agustin Allione 33 million to Manchester City

This was by far the hardest departure for Andrew Booy to stomach this summer. Allione had been publicly open with the press that he wanted a new monster wage that the Bristol City board couldn't agree to and with only two years left on his current deal Booy decided to cash in on one of his star performers over the last two seasons. In his first season at the club after joining from Argentinian side Velez for only 1.5 million the right winger won the Premier League and Bristol City player of the year award with an OPTA average rating of 7.65 over the season. Allione made 75 appearances for City over two seasons, scoring 30 goals, providing 30 assists and winning 14 PoM awards.



Rodrigo Gomez 18 million to Southampton

This was a record transfer fee for Southampton to spend on a player and a statement of intent from manager Mauricio Pochettino whose side have been finishing just outside the Europa qualification spots in the league for the past four seasons. Gomez was primarily used as a substitute in central midfield for the past two seasons, coming on 56 times in total (mostly due to the poor fitness of Lucas Evangelista). He did start 42 games for Andrew Booy since joining for 1.5 million from Argentinos in 2015, scoring 9 goals, assisting 16 times and winning PoM 2 times.



Domenico Berardi 39 million to Manchester United

Berardi was given the tag of 'super-sub' for Bristol City in his one season at the club since signing for Free last summer. He only started 17 games, but scored 22 goals, got 9 assists and 8 PoM awards, his average rating was an impressive 7.71. However playing 2nd fiddle to Mario Buitrago and Jese did not sit well with the former Juventus striker and an incredible record transfer bid for Man Utd of 39 million pounds was simply too good to ignore.



Tom Ince 6.5 million to Everton

The City left winger was one of the club's longest serving players after being at the club for three seasons since joining for free in 2014. Ince has played 138 games under Andrew Booy, scored 23 goals, contributed 37 assists and picked up 9 PoM awards. His place in the first team was under threat last season, first by summer signing Eugene Konoplyanka, then summer signing Marco Reus but Ince took advantage of Reus's injury to play the 2nd half of the season and help his side win the FA Cup, a good send-off for a loyal and consistent Bristol City performer over the years.



Lucas Ocampos 30 million to A.C. Milan

Lucas was once a club record signing for Andrew Booy back in 2015 for 6 million pounds from AS Monaco FC. However, it was a rare poor signing by Booy as the left winger failed to start one game for Bristol City, instead spending the last two seasons out on loan, first at Dortmund, then last season at Schalke. So when A.C. Milan matched Ocampos' minimum fee release clause of 30 million pounds lets just say Bristol City thought they had just won the lottery!!

Julian Draxler 38.5 million from Schalke



Draxler is a 23 year old German left winger who has spent his entire career at Bundesliga side Schalke. The left wing position has been an issue for Andrew Booy in recent years and after Marco Reus' stats dropped after injury last season Booy was again in the market for a World Class replacement. So after Chelsea spent 46.5 million on Reus, Booy decided to meet Draxler's minimum fee release clause of 38.5 million pounds (a club record fee). Julian has played over 200 games for Schalke and joins on a 5 year deal worth 90,000 pounds per week (the highest paid player in City squad).



Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 24 million from Arsenal (could rise to 30 million)



Oxlade-Chamberlain is a 23 year old England international who joins from Premier League rivals Arsenal for a fee that could reach in excess of 30 million pounds. The right winger is seen as a replacement for the outgoing Agustin Allione, so Alex has big shoes to fill at Ashton Gate! 'The Ox' has failed to nail down a regular starting position at the Gunners since his 12 million pound move from Southampton as a teenager, but Andrew Booy is hoping he will relish the chance of regular first team football at his new club. He joins on a 5 year, 49,000 pounds per week deal.



Kevin Volland Free from Barcelona



Volland is a 25 year old striker who joins Bristol City after his Barcelona contract expired in the summer. He will compete with Jese for a starting position alongside captain Mario Buitrago up front this season. After joining Barcelona in 2013 for 12.75 million from German side Hoffenheim, Volland never established himself in the first team at the Camp Nou and subsequently his contract expired. Booy beat off interest from top European clubs for Kevin's signature perhaps after his friendly words with the striker when the two met when Bristol City played Barcelona in the Champions League Quarter Finals last season. He is on a 5 year, 50,000 pounds per week contract.



Giuliano Free from Dnipro



Giuliano is a Brazilian central midfielder who joins City from Ukrainian side Dnipro on a Bosman free transfer. The 27 year old has spent the last 7 years with Dnipro and is excited to move to England and play in the Champions League. He will primarily be a backup to central midfielders Lucas Evangelista and Emre Can. He signs a 5 year deal worth 21,000 pounds per week.



Jonathan Tah 5.5 million from HSV



Tah is a German central defender who at the young age of 21 has played over 130 games for his hometown club, Hamburger, in Germany. He has potential and is a more youthful backup player than the outgoing Chris Smalling. He has signed a 5 year contract worth 18,000 pounds per week.



Maximilian Meyer 18.5 million from FC Bayern (could rise to 20 million)



Meyer is a 21 year old German striker or right winger, who joins from German champions FC Bayern for a potential fee of over 20 million pounds. Max joined Bayern in 2015 for 21.5 million from fellow Bundesliga side Schalke but only started 24 games over the next two seasons for Munich. He has bags of potential and has been brought in to cover the wing and striking positions until/if he reaches that potential. His contract at City is worth 25,000 pounds per week until 2022.



Juan Antonio 800,000 pounds from Elche



Juan Antonio is a 16 year old left back who joins from Elche's youth system in Spain. He has the potential to one day play for the Robins but will spend the next few seasons with City's U21 and U18 development sides.



Eugenio Hernandez from Free Transfer



An 18 year old centre back who signs on a free transfer after his contract expired with MLS side Chicago Fire at the end of 2016. Has potential but this season will play with the U21 and U18 sides like Juan Antonio.

Transfer Summary Summer 2017/2018



Financial Summary Summer 2016/2017

Four sign new deals at Ashton Gate

Andrew Booy had four players who's contracts were due to expire in 2018, most notably star players Lucas Evangelista and Eder Alvarez Balanta. Therefore Booy was happy that all four signed new deals to keep them at the club until the summer of 2022.

The results are below:



vs TNS (A) 5-0
An easy win against the Welsh Premier League champions. Goals from Buitrago (4) and Jese sealed the win. New signing Julian Draxler also got 3 assists for his new side.

vs Augsburg (A) 4-0
Another easy win against German 1st division side with goals from Jese (2), Bogado and Kaspar.

vs Stade Rennais FC (A) 2-1
Took lead from Lucas Evangelista strike but should have scored more before Ligue 1 side equalised. Kevin Volland strike in final 10 minutes sealed deserved win.

vs Cardiff (H) 0-0
Money spinning friendly that disappointed as Bristol City dominated game but couldn't find back of Cardiff net!

Premiership preview 2017/18



Bristol City have odds of 2/1 to win the English Premier Division this season meaning the bookies predict them to finish around 3rd this season based on these odds. It is a real sign of the progress City have made under manager Andrew Booy as they are predicted to finish above Arsenal and Man City this season. Chelsea though clearly are the team to beat with EVEN odds of retaining their title for the third year in a row.

The Squad 2017/2018........

GK

Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Current Ability

Potential Ability

One of the best GKs in the game and still only 25. Has probably reached his full potential now.

Gerry Taylor
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Almost the same level as ter Stegen now. Maybe will even challenge for number 1 jersey this season. At 19 years of age is long term City keeper.

DL

Alex Sandro
Current Ability

Potential Ability

One of weakest players in starting 11 and at 26 years of age one of oldest. No-one better on the market however.

Juan Antonio
Current Ability

Potential Ability

16 year old summer signing is one for the future. Will play in U21/U18 squad.

DR

Martin Kaspar
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Still only 18 years old. Took over first team duties from Clyne last season and will push on again this. Can be best right back in the world if fulfils potential.

Nathaniel Clyne
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Lost starting place to Kaspar last year and with little room for growth perhaps time at club is coming to an end.

Mostafa Abdel Fatah
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Like Kaspar has potential to be best right back in the world. Perhaps by end of season can displace Clyne as backup to Kaspar.

DC

Eder Alvarez Balanta
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Best defender at club, almost reached full potential. Signed new long-term contract in the summer.

Stefano Denswil
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Progressed well last season and still more room to grow. Alvarez Balanta and Denswil two of the best Centre Backs in the world and have formed a formidable partnership for City.

Jonathan Tah
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Strong backup to Alvarez Balanta and Denswil. Can grow but unlikely to ever take their starting places.

Fanch Le Bras
Current Ability

Potential Ability

17 year old who progressed well last season and played a few 1st team games. Can be best defender in the world in the future.

Eugenio Hernandez
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Summer signing who has potential but not as much as Le Bras. Will try to develop with U21/U18 team this year.

ML

Julian Draxler
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Record transfer signing who is one of best left wingers in the world and can even progress further this season. Will take corners and free kicks for City.

Alvaro
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Backup to Draxler. Youngster progressing well in training and now natural at playing left side of midfield. Can be best left winger in game.

MR

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Current Ability

Potential Ability

New signing to replace Allione on the right. Will play as support winger.

Esteban Gabriel Jesus Bogado
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Still learning the right midfield position. At 19 years of age can eventually take Oxlade-Chamberlain's place in the side.

Ricardo Gomez
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Can also play left wing. Will probably go out on loan again as he did in 2nd half of last season.

CM

Lucas Evangelista
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Best midfielder in team. Attacking advanced playmaker role suits him best. Gets forward so should add more goals this season.

Emre Can
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Deep lying defensive playmaker to compliment Lucas Evangelista. Learnt central midfield position last season. Can also play left back well and perhaps long term future for City there due to lack of potential in that position.

Giuliano
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Rotation midfield player who is solid but at full potential. Best role is deep lying playmaker.

Marko Blazic
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Potential to be the best player in the world!! Will be in and around the first team to aid development this season. ONE TO WATCH!!

Youri Tielemans
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Still only 20 still has potential but most likely to go out on loan again this year.

Joaquin Guillamon
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Lots of potential and still only 17. Will develop with U21s/U18s again this year after good progress last year.

FC

Mario Buitrago
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Most say the 3rd best player in the World. Best City player by far and captain. And still only 22!! Has already reached full potential.

Kevin Volland
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Trequarista who will start season partnering Buitrago in new-look partnership up top.

Jese
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Lost place in team to Volland but for how long? Has potential to be long-term partner to Buitrago but needs faster progress in stats.

Maximilian Meyer
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Backup attacking player who has potential. Can also cover the RM position.

Austin Ansell
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Potential not as high as players who are already in the team. Will go out on loan again this year.

Alex Mint
Current Ability

Potential Ability

Academy graduate who only just turned 16. Future first team squad member but will play with U21s/U18s for next few seasons.

Current Bristol City starting 11



Future Bristol City starting 11?

Bristol City vs Chelsea - 13th August 2017
2-1
Denswil 7.9 rating
Volland 36 mins
Denswil 58 mins



Manager's review
Neither Andrew Booy or Jose Mourinho had any serious injuries to contend with for this Wembley encounter. There was a different approach from each manager however as Booy named his strongest possible 11 whereas Mourinho had players like Yaya Toure, Diego Costa, Oscar and ex City man Marco Reus only on the bench.
The two teams lined up as follows:

This was Andrew Booy's and Bristol City's 1st ever Community Shield appearance and the team didn't disappoint. The contest was very even until Willian bundled in from a Chelsea corner midway through the first half. City responded almost immediately however as Lucas Evangelista played a superb through ball to new signing Kevin Volland who score consummately on his debut. Then in the 2nd half MOTM Stefano Denswil deservedly put City ahead from a well worked Draxler corner routine. City held on, even when Chelsea through Yaya Toure, Costa and Oscar into the mix, to win the first English trophy of the season and their first ever Community Shield!!!

Bristol City vs Q.P.R. - 19th August 2017
4-0
Draxler 9.3 rating
Draxler 12 mins
Denswil 44 mins
Volland 49, 53 mins



Manager's review
Andrew Booy had only one absentee as Alvarez Balanta was still serving a suspension from getting sent off in the FA Cup Final last season, Jonathan Tah came in for his first Bristol City start. David Moyes and Q.P.R. had summer signing Adam Szalai out through injury.
The two teams lined up as follows:



It was a routine opening day victory for Bristol City against a Q.P.R. side that may be competing down the opposite end of the table this season. Julian Draxler thumped in his 1st goal for the club early on after a nice pass from Buitrago. Then on the brink of half-time MOTM Draxler's corner found Stefano Denswil who scored for the 2nd game in succession.



In the 2nd half new signing Kevin Volland scored two wonderfully headed efforts from Buitrago and Alex Sandro crosses. Then towards the end of the game midfielder Marko Blazic came on for his Bristol City debut on the week of his 20th birthday.