A new manager and almost a new team; but after six competitive games have we really progressed? Should we be positive or negative with regards our beloved blues?
Starting off everyone would agree that a point away is a fair result. So it was off to West Ham and a great 2-0 winning start. From the first game we already have two points ahead of schedule.
Next up was Derby County playing their first away game in the Premier League. It is always difficult facing newly promoted sides in your first home game; nevertheless a home win should be expected and sure enough a 1-0 win was achieved. So that`s us still two points ahead of schedule.
Fast on the heels of the Derby County game came the Yankee red socks at home. As they have taken years to build there side, are the current Premier League champions and given that our own side has been put together in a matter of weeks, most neutrals would have this down for a certain away win. Add to that the fact they had not recorded a win in their first two matches and balance that with our wearing blue tinted specs and we`ll take a draw for this one. The game ended with us winning 1-0, so hey we are four points ahead of perhaps where we thought we would be.
Next up was a trip away to Arsenal. I cannot remember us doing well at the Gooner`s place so anything more than a defeat would have been fantastic. Defeat it was however, but defeat in a very tight game with no disgrace in losing by the odd goal. Not many sides, if any, will go to the Emirates and take anything more than a point. So still four points ahead of our schedule.
A break from the league and off to Bristol for a Carling Cup tie. Accepting our recent history in this competition we probably would have settled for any kind of win, whether that be after extra time or penalties. Neither was needed however and we won 2-1 within the ninety minutes; so well pleased with that.
So, so far so good. Next up we went to Ewood Park. Blackburn are undefeated in fourteen games and though I had this one down on my football pools coupon as a draw, ninety minutes went and we lost 1-0. No disgrace at this stage I thought.
We would perhaps have predicted six points and instead we have nine and we are also through to the next round of the Carling cup. Result; well done City.
The glass is definitely half full despite all the experts saying you cannot build a team in weeks. Sven has clearly proved them wrong and we are most certainly going to get better. The fact no last minute signings came in would seem to suggest that up to three quality players will be brought in during January; the future, it seems, is definitely bright.
Steve Shepley
Share this article
