Football Season Review

Bristol City started the season hoping to return to the Championship at the first time of asking, but it soon became clear that things would not go according to plan, as the Robins battled against the drop in the early stages of their campaign and recorded six defeats and seven draws in their opening 13 games. Sean O'Driscoll's side had to settle for draws in numerous games in which they played rather well, with their main problem being their poor defence, as it took them until Boxing Day to record their first clean sheet of the season. O'Driscoll was no longer in charge by the time this happened, as he parted company with the club on 28th November. Steve Cotterill was named his successor, but struggled to turn the Robins' fortunes around early in his reign: their quality of football improved, but the defence remained rather leaky, and Bristol City only started showing what they are capable of as the season entered its final third. The Robins remained in danger of relegation until early March, but they went on to secure their survival in some style, as they they won seven and lost only one of their final thirteen fixtures. Cotterill received a lot of praise for the manner in which he improved the fortunes of the side, but the Robins' boss will know that the bar will be set much higher next season. His first task will be to keep hold of Sam Baldock and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, who both had fantastic seasons, while the second big task will be to try to secure permanent deals for some of the six players he had on loan in the second half of the season. The midtable finish which the Robins recorded will be seen as a success due to the abysmal first half of the season they had, but there is no doubt that anything other than a top six finish next season would be seen as a disappointment.

Player of the Season: Sam Baldock