1. Our hopes of making the top two remain alive, but only just. Last Friday’s victory for Middlesbrough felt like a near-fatal blow, but Saturday’s emphatic victory over Bristol City means that we are, just about, still in the hunt. 2. The match in isolation was actually very enjoyable. City started well, got an early goal and apart from a lull midway through the first half, we were in complete control. Chances were made and taken at pleasingly regular intervals, and if 4-0 felt a tiny bit flattering, it does at least give us the division’s best goal difference again. Who knows if that’ll come in handy? 3. Its bearing on the season is something we’ll have to wait to discover. Prior to kick-off, City probably needed seven wins from their final nine games to be in with a shout of reclaiming an automatic place. We now require six from eight. It’s a very tall order and it’s not easy to see us catching the revitalised and reunited Middlesbrough – all Steve Bruce’s men can do now is try to make them earn it, as opposed to timidly handing it over. 4. We should have loftier aims than this, of course – but that victory gives us a cushion of seven points (and a game in hand) over seventh place. The play-offs are at least assured. A minute victory perhaps, but the prospect of a total top-six avoiding meltdown has been averted. 5. As for those play-offs, it’s a big advantage to finish third or fourth. Home advantage in the second leg is a big deal and if we must settle for them, it’d be nice to ensure we have that benefit, coupled with some decent form. 6. That takes us to Derby tomorrow night. It is by some distance our hardest match left this season. And it’s still almost a must-win game. There’s just no margin for error any more. 7. Huddersfield away absolutely is a must-win game. Meanwhile, we wonder just how sore West Yorkshire Police still are being forced to apologise for their disgraceful behaviour three years ago and whether they’ll look to take it out on us on Saturday. We just need one more apology for being wrongly labelled as hooligans now… 8. Doesn’t it rather feel as though the Steve Bruce era is coming to an end? He was decidedly equivocal when asked about his longer term future last week, and one wonders whether his enthusiasm for managing City is on the wane. Four years in the job is hardly an eternity, but in modern management it is and while we don’t doubt that he’s remaining thoroughly professional, we have the same feeling that a separation is coming as we did when Peter Taylor took his leave ten summers ago. 9. We’re unconvinced that going to Aston Villa is a great idea, however. They are certain to be a Championship side next season, while his current club does still have a presentable opportunity of being in the top flight. Barring a takeover and some investment, they’ll be a total wreck of a club. His Birmingham past will count against him the moment they lose a couple of games. As alluded to above, a decade ago a successful City manager thought that the grass was greener elsewhere. It wasn’t. 10. News emerged on Friday evening that modifications are to be made to City’s new membership scheme. We’ll wait for further details before getting too excited, as the club are yet to offer anything official, and there was an awful lot that needed sorting out. http://www.ambernectar.org/blog/2016/04/things-we-think-we-think-222/?
All very flat that. No positivity at all. When Steve Bruce takes us into the pl next season will he be the longest serving manager in there, with winger retiring? Arf Wenger, auto correct
Great read as usual, goal difference could very well be critical as he points out. I agree with 8, Bruce is on his way out, hopefully on a high.
I know there is the debate around whether he is the man to take us forward whatever happens, but do we see him going if he was to get promoted? Would he want to leave or would the Allams want him to leave???
I have to say I agreed, it does have that vibe of when Taylor was leaving and it had come to its natural conclusion. Id be very surprised if he's still here when he opens his Christmas presents.
Nah well get rid of tom, Abel, aluko and a few more and he'll be revitalized. Young hungry English players is the way forward from now on and he knows it
The thing that worry's me the most is not if SB leaves, but the fact that the local press in Leeds are reporting that an unnamed championship club want Steve Evans of the tws as there new manager next season, hope to Christ it isn't us.
Raises a point, who would be in charge or recruitment? Ehab? Didnt somebody - cant recall who - essentially have the job last time of recommending a candidate to our leaders who self confess know nothing of football? I'm sure I read somewhere that they were essentially advised to hire Bruce. Had Maguire gone by then?
There you go then. Wonder if they've learned enough about football to go solo now? Surely Phelan would be above him?
Too close to SB, although you maybe right , just feel that with the progress Pennock made with the youth set up, he maybe a rising star management wise.
In the eyes of some fans! Phelan wants to be a manager, which is why he left Norwich when he was overlooked! Does Pennock? Is it his dream to be a possible failure at the main job & be out of work? Does he really enjoy the youth side of football than all the political crap of full management?
True its always a gamble management, but if he's approached by the owners and he refuses were does that leave him, I think we all know by now, that the owners don't like the word "no".
He'll be on his way to the Florists is my guess. If he ends up at City the Allams can say goodbye to another couple of thousand fans I suspect
Phelan at face value has had zero influence on the first team and tactics since his arrival. Nothings changed, though it may be down to him we now have Powell on board? Second in command to Gary Neville perhaps?
Seem to remember Alex Ferguson recommending David Moyes. Every appointment is a gamble no matter how well informed the selector is.
