How's Your FIFA 14 Career Mode Going?
Excellent targets! McCormack has been vital for me with Scotland. Currently the qualifiers top scorer using the 4-3-3 false 9 with him at CF. Looking forward to the next update!
Spoiler
Good afternoon. I'm Roger Carling, and this is Footie Fever.
Having breezed through League One last season to finish top of the table, Bristol City find themselves in a bit of a fix this time around. Despite an up-and-down start to life in the Championship, they realise that they are too good not to be fighting for promotion, but no so good that they'll have little competition for the top spots.
Indi Blue has led his team well over the past 15 months, and despite matchday attendance and his transfer budget limited due to expansive work at Bristol City's home ground, he looks like a man capable of one day installing the Robins as one of England's best teams. But like all teams, Bristol City will need to strengthen with every passing season in order to remain competitive.
This week, we're joined by former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville as we discuss the team's less impressive performers, as well as the seven players Indi might sign in the next two transfer windows.
RC: Gary, in your opinion, who's not been playing up to scratch so far?
GN: Scott Wagstaff has not impressed me in the Championship. He was absolutely phenomenal last term with 11 goals, but League One is much less competitive. The change from a 4-5-1 formation to 4-1-2-1-2 has also hurt him, because not only is he unable to get the ball into the box, he's working himself too hard defensively to be of any use in attack. I also think that Greg Cunningham leaves a lot to be desired, mostly because he gives the ball away too easily, but also due to his inability to produce key passes.
As much as it might not go down well with a lot of folks, I think Sam Baldock may not be cut out as a striker at this level. Things just get so physical in the final third that you need to be able to cope with it, and Sam thrives with space but isn't getting much. If he can adjust his game and create that space, or if Indi can find a new role for him, he can still prove to be a vital part of this side. There's no question that he has the talent. But if I were Indi, I would be looking to get as big a fee as I could in the summer, and I'd use that to bring in someone more apt for this level.
RC: Okay, let's talk about the players who might be joining Bristol City in the next few months. What do you make of Ben Foster?
GN: Elliot Parish's contract expires at the end of this season, and it seems likely that he'll be released when it does. Ruben Blanco will go back to Celta Vigo on loan, and Frank Fielding will be the only keeper on City's books. Ben Foster would be an ideal signing; tall, powerful in the box, and vast experience at the highest levels of the game. An expiring contract with West Brom means he can be had for free, but it remains to be seen whether he'd be willing to risk a season in the Championship.
RC: The next player on our list is Declan Rudd, also a goalkeeper but at Norwich City.
GN: He was the standout keeper in League One last season, and he actually beat Fielding to the division's Golden Glove by just one clean sheet. I think he will offer direct competition for the starting spot, rather than the automatic jump to the first team that Ben Foster would make. He's another player with an expiring contract, and it's likely he would be willing to move if he is promised playing time.
RC: Kieran Trippier is also a rumoured target for Bristol City. Your thoughts, Gary?
GN: With all the injury problems Bristol City have faced with Brendan Moloney, Indi might be looking to move him on next summer, mostly because he will remain injured until spring. Kieran's energetic performances for Burnley will have put him at the top of Indi's list, and his fine record of fitness only strengthens his case.
RC: Here's a name not many people will be familiar with – Trent Sainsbury.
GN: To be honest, I don't know much about him either, other than he's an Australian defender who plays for Central Coast Mariners in the A-League. But he's supposedly highly rated by Indi, so that should count for something. I believe he's as capable at centre half and right back, so he would add versatility and depth to the squad. However, his signing would be dependent on several factors, not least of which includes the development of one impressive Kortney Hause.
RC: Dale Jennings has been on fire for Barnsley despite the club fighting relegation.
GN: He's a former Liverpool academy player, so he's got the fundamentals in place, that's for sure. Should Barnsley find themselves in League One next season, it is likely that a move for Dale would prove to be highly viable for all parties. He's a bright talent with bags of skill and pace, and he could very well find himself to be a direct replacement for Scott Wagstaff.
RC: Will Buckley has been impressive for Brighton & Hove Albion so far this term. Could he be on his way to Ashton Gate?
GN: I know he's a boyhood Newcastle United fan who's based his game on Alan Shearer's, but Will could prove to be a step too far in terms of finances. As a winger, he has racked up seven goals and six assists for the Seagulls. The problem is that Brighton rate him too highly for City's pockets, which is a fair assessment of the lad. He'll remain a long-term target. I think that like me, Indi is in awe of Will's ability to create goals from nowhere, but I don't see him moving unless they get a large fee for Sam Baldock.
RC: Last on the list is Ross McCormack. This one is particularly exciting.
GN: Ross is in excellent form with Leeds, who are back in the Premier League at last, but consider the facts. Renzo Mariño is heading back to Wolfsburg at the end of the season, the Robins will need to bring in a proven goalscorer, and Ross is what Indi's looking for. He's equally capable in central attack as well as on the wings, and he can be had with no fee. I think Leeds would be foolish to allow him to go, but City will have a very good signing on their hands if they can pull this one off. On top of that, they could then allow Sam Baldock to leave without worrying about a replacement.
RC: Okay, that's all the time we have for today. Gary, thanks for being with us. Join us next week as we check out the five players who can save Blackpool from relegation.
Having breezed through League One last season to finish top of the table, Bristol City find themselves in a bit of a fix this time around. Despite an up-and-down start to life in the Championship, they realise that they are too good not to be fighting for promotion, but no so good that they'll have little competition for the top spots.
Indi Blue has led his team well over the past 15 months, and despite matchday attendance and his transfer budget limited due to expansive work at Bristol City's home ground, he looks like a man capable of one day installing the Robins as one of England's best teams. But like all teams, Bristol City will need to strengthen with every passing season in order to remain competitive.
This week, we're joined by former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville as we discuss the team's less impressive performers, as well as the seven players Indi might sign in the next two transfer windows.
RC: Gary, in your opinion, who's not been playing up to scratch so far?
GN: Scott Wagstaff has not impressed me in the Championship. He was absolutely phenomenal last term with 11 goals, but League One is much less competitive. The change from a 4-5-1 formation to 4-1-2-1-2 has also hurt him, because not only is he unable to get the ball into the box, he's working himself too hard defensively to be of any use in attack. I also think that Greg Cunningham leaves a lot to be desired, mostly because he gives the ball away too easily, but also due to his inability to produce key passes.
As much as it might not go down well with a lot of folks, I think Sam Baldock may not be cut out as a striker at this level. Things just get so physical in the final third that you need to be able to cope with it, and Sam thrives with space but isn't getting much. If he can adjust his game and create that space, or if Indi can find a new role for him, he can still prove to be a vital part of this side. There's no question that he has the talent. But if I were Indi, I would be looking to get as big a fee as I could in the summer, and I'd use that to bring in someone more apt for this level.
RC: Okay, let's talk about the players who might be joining Bristol City in the next few months. What do you make of Ben Foster?
GN: Elliot Parish's contract expires at the end of this season, and it seems likely that he'll be released when it does. Ruben Blanco will go back to Celta Vigo on loan, and Frank Fielding will be the only keeper on City's books. Ben Foster would be an ideal signing; tall, powerful in the box, and vast experience at the highest levels of the game. An expiring contract with West Brom means he can be had for free, but it remains to be seen whether he'd be willing to risk a season in the Championship.
RC: The next player on our list is Declan Rudd, also a goalkeeper but at Norwich City.
GN: He was the standout keeper in League One last season, and he actually beat Fielding to the division's Golden Glove by just one clean sheet. I think he will offer direct competition for the starting spot, rather than the automatic jump to the first team that Ben Foster would make. He's another player with an expiring contract, and it's likely he would be willing to move if he is promised playing time.
RC: Kieran Trippier is also a rumoured target for Bristol City. Your thoughts, Gary?
GN: With all the injury problems Bristol City have faced with Brendan Moloney, Indi might be looking to move him on next summer, mostly because he will remain injured until spring. Kieran's energetic performances for Burnley will have put him at the top of Indi's list, and his fine record of fitness only strengthens his case.
RC: Here's a name not many people will be familiar with – Trent Sainsbury.
GN: To be honest, I don't know much about him either, other than he's an Australian defender who plays for Central Coast Mariners in the A-League. But he's supposedly highly rated by Indi, so that should count for something. I believe he's as capable at centre half and right back, so he would add versatility and depth to the squad. However, his signing would be dependent on several factors, not least of which includes the development of one impressive Kortney Hause.
RC: Dale Jennings has been on fire for Barnsley despite the club fighting relegation.
GN: He's a former Liverpool academy player, so he's got the fundamentals in place, that's for sure. Should Barnsley find themselves in League One next season, it is likely that a move for Dale would prove to be highly viable for all parties. He's a bright talent with bags of skill and pace, and he could very well find himself to be a direct replacement for Scott Wagstaff.
RC: Will Buckley has been impressive for Brighton & Hove Albion so far this term. Could he be on his way to Ashton Gate?
GN: I know he's a boyhood Newcastle United fan who's based his game on Alan Shearer's, but Will could prove to be a step too far in terms of finances. As a winger, he has racked up seven goals and six assists for the Seagulls. The problem is that Brighton rate him too highly for City's pockets, which is a fair assessment of the lad. He'll remain a long-term target. I think that like me, Indi is in awe of Will's ability to create goals from nowhere, but I don't see him moving unless they get a large fee for Sam Baldock.
RC: Last on the list is Ross McCormack. This one is particularly exciting.
GN: Ross is in excellent form with Leeds, who are back in the Premier League at last, but consider the facts. Renzo Mariño is heading back to Wolfsburg at the end of the season, the Robins will need to bring in a proven goalscorer, and Ross is what Indi's looking for. He's equally capable in central attack as well as on the wings, and he can be had with no fee. I think Leeds would be foolish to allow him to go, but City will have a very good signing on their hands if they can pull this one off. On top of that, they could then allow Sam Baldock to leave without worrying about a replacement.
RC: Okay, that's all the time we have for today. Gary, thanks for being with us. Join us next week as we check out the five players who can save Blackpool from relegation.
Excellent targets! McCormack has been vital for me with Scotland. Currently the qualifiers top scorer using the 4-3-3 false 9 with him at CF. Looking forward to the next update!
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. All jokes aside it should be fun and a good experience. Thanks, and welcome back Orlov. 
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