1. What a thoroughly odd game it was against Brighton on Saturday. Both sides rested plenty, yet City looked immeasurably superior throughout the whole game, which was conducted largely within Brighton’s half of the pitch – yet we only won with a penalty. 2. Analysing a game that was liberally studded with fringe players on both sides is perfectly possible, but determining what it means for the rest of the season isn’t easy – apart from the obvious fact that if Brighton suffer a few injuries to important first-teamers, they’ll do well to finish in the top eight. 3. The game itself was entertaining, if you’re of a City persuasion. Some of the football was very easy on the eye, we never looked remotely threatened at the back and a few of those currently outside the starting eleven advanced their claims for reinclusion. And most importantly, City are in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup. 4. Tom Huddlestone, captain for the day, impressed – though he was given an astonishing amount of time and space with which to unveil his languid range of passing. Robert Snodgrass scoring and celebrating with the medical staff was a nice moment. Eldin Jakupović wasn’t involved enough to have the chance to do anything inadvertently amusing. Robertson looked a cut above almost everyone on the pitch. Possible even two cuts above. 5. All told, a satisfying afternoon. City progress and avoid a replay both sides would have dreaded, and we’re ball number 32 this evening. We should hope to go further. Progress in the League Cup a few months ago gave the side confidence, repeating that in the FA Cup could also aid our promotion push. And if you’re thinking it’s “only the Cup”, which side is feeling better about themselves and the 2015/16 season in general today – City, whose players will all be glued to the draw tonight, or Brighton, who spent 90 chastening minutes chasing shadows on Saturday? 6. The build up to the game was increasingly dominated by ticketing issues, with the club’s hopes of driving more sales online not backed up by a proper system. Social media was dominated by complaints, ranging from the inability to switch seats, choose seats or even contact the ticket office on Saturday morning. Cash turnstiles are history. Some of this is understandable – the days of snaking queues outside Boothferry Park to pay £3 to stand on Bunkers are long gone. More online functionality is a good thing. It may be of benefit should City make it to Wembley this season. But the system as is presently being unveiled isn’t ready, and isn’t being correctly backed up by a proper resources in the ticket office, particularly during the transition period. Let’s hope City rethink this. 7. Back to the League, then. City have two very winnable home games this week and must be targeting six points that could hoist us back into the top two. Cardiff first. They’re having a funny season. On the cusp of the play-offs and beaten only once at home this season (ahem), but ropey on their travels and with the embarrassment of being dumped out of the Cup by a struggling League One side yesterday, it’s hard to imagine they’ll be feeling great about life right now. City rested lots of players on Saturday with this game in mind. Let’s hope that decision was vindicated. 8. What to say about Charlton on Saturday, other than it’s essential we win? Fixtures don’t come much more straightforward than this, on paper at least. No slip-ups please, City. A six-point week would be terrific. 9. Allan McGregor is putting his name to a new contract, and that’s good news indeed. His start to the season was frighteningly rocky, but he’s recovered his composure since then to become the reliable keeper he’s been before. City are going to need to tie down a few more players whose contracts expire this summer, and looks as though some progress is being made, at last. 10. If Elmohamady is going – something he plainly covets – can we swap him for James Chester please, Mr Pulis? http://www.ambernectar.org/blog/2016/01/things-we-think-we-think-211/
