Something unexplained happened during the November international break by building to a crescendo

something happened during the international break in November. Hordur wasn't quite sure what it was but the consequences left him a troubled young man.
It had started so promising for the young Icelander when he signed for Bristol city at the end of the Euro 2016. The boss told him he would be an integral player in a team which would be playing in Europe within 5 years. Hordur was further encouraged by the signing of two Swedish international to keep a Scandinavian enclave. Hordur happily bought into this
His initial apprehension of the boss's game plan which was to play unconvincing boring football in the first half especially at home and contrive not to score even better to go a goal down, seemed to pay dividends,as the opposition were lulled into a false sense of security believing that Bristol city were crap. Then almost by magic as soon as the ball went out of play in the 60th minute 2 or 3 subs came on Bristol city increased their tempo building to a crescendo and even more so during extra time to win the game in spectacular fashion by a single goal. It really appealed to the Icelander,s dramatic nature. Hordur had to admit that the system worked and when he went on tour with Iceland in November Bristol. City were in the playoff zone.
Hordur could not be quite certain when the tactics and game plan changed but it soon became evident that city were to play better in the first half but the ultimate aim was to lose the game by one goal. Initially it took a lot of hard work to undo what they were accustomed to doing and against Preston, wolves and Ipswich they needed a combination of fluke and brilliant goals to lose late in the game by a goal, but by the Reading match the plan was perfected. It was a big ask to lose a lead of 2-0 with only 15 minutes remaining, but by dint of giving the ball away cheaply,allowing the opposition free use of the ball 35 yards from goal and not challenging players with the ball add on a display of panic, Bristol city made it look so simple. Talk about snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
Hordur couldn't understand how this plan fitted in with competing in Europe in 5 years. That is why he is troubled.