Football Manager 2014: Bristol City’s Return To ‘Glory’

Yes, it’s that time of the year again. The next incarnation of the mighty football management simulator is out. Obviously I’ve got to get it – me not buying Football Manager would be like me not celebrating Christmas, and I LOVE Christmas.

I’ve decided that seeing as I’m from Bristol, I’d start my managing career at Bristol City. My objective being to return them to some kind of relative glory.

Things started out pretty well. I managed to sign Vellios from Everton on a season long loan, along with Ilori from Liverpool. Good signings for a League 1 club I thought.

My first league game was against Bradford. It was a dull affair. Nothing happened for about 70 minutes, then they went and scored. “Great,” I thought, “Here we go,” but no! We managed an equaliser in the dying minutes of the game. 1 point on my home debut – not great, but could be worse.

Next was a quick foray in the Capital One Cup, pretty routine 4-0 victory over Newport County

I then faced my first away league game to Coventry. Things started well, 2-0 up within the first 20 minutes. Somehow we went on to lose 3-2. I wasn’t very happy.

Back at home for the next game against Wolves. “Ok guys, we had a poor result last time, let’s turn it around, and get our first win of the season” were my mightily encouraging words! Surely that would inspire the “lads”? Uhhhh no…. 4-0 down at half time. “Lads What the F**k are you doing. This is pure shite!” was what I wanted to say, but all I could muster was “I want to see something different in the second half” What I actually saw was a more shite. Final score Bristol City 0 Wolves 7. Bollocks!

Back to the Capital One Cup now, and a slightly more challenging game against Blackpool. I wasn’t holding much hope, especially after the drubbing we just received.  I went defensive, with some emphasis on counter attacking. We got to half time at 1-0 down, and we had played ok. But we were quickly 2-0 down after the restart. A quick tactical change saw us get one back, 2-1 with about 20 minutes left and we were on the front foot. Alas, it wasn’t enough. 2-1 final score, but it was a good effort. The fans, however, were less than pleased!

I can see the headlines now “Pressure mounts on new Bristol City boss.”

To finish off the month of August with a 2-2 away draw at Gillingham. I now sit 17th in the league. Needless to say things need to change in September if I am to get back to the Championship.

– Will