‘City are the top scorers in the Championship’

I must admit it is hard to know where to start with the writing of this weeks blog. I asked in last weeks piece for two positive performances in the games at home to Derby and then Stoke. I chose my words carefully as we very easily could have seen two good performances that didn’t necessarily harness positive results, and that would have been OK.

But – as I’m sure anyone reading this will already be aware – City did indeed produce two very good performances that culminated in two magnificent results and has led to the biggest outpouring of positivity I’ve seen for a long long time across the various social media sites that I on occasion spend far too much time on.

As well as the positive results the fact that Johnson used twenty players in the two games bodes well for the rest of the season and proves we do really have strength in depth this season.

The side are playing with a real swagger and confidence, underlined by the fact that City are the top scorers in the Championship. We are also, unsurprisingly, in the top-half on the goals conceded table too. Johnson’s approach could be likened to that of Klopp at Liverpool, but with a slightly better defence.

You’ll most likely see this City side score if you go down the Gate this season, but be aware they will probably also concede. The fact that goals have been so free flowing is particularity pleasing given we didn’t really go into the season with an out-and-out marksman in the side.

One could convincingly argue that the goals of Tammy Abraham and Jonathan Kodjia have kept us afloat in recent years but that fact we don’t have that focal point in our attack might actually be a benefit for the team as a whole to enable the style of play that Johnson wants.

City have drawn Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace at home in the Fourth Round of the Caraboa Cup. I know that some fans will be disappointed to have not drawn one of the so-called Galacticos left in the tournament but to me we have a tie that is eminently winnable.

Should we beat Palace we would then only be one game away from a potential two-legged semi-final tie against one of the pre-mentioned big clubs. Imagine how great it would be to host Manchester United or Chelsea and to then go to their place – although I think I might be getting ahead of myself somewhat there.

Looking at Johnson’s team selection over recent games I am happy to report that he took my sage advise to rotate his squad as to keep our players fresh and hungry for game time. It is worth noting that only one player has started the four matches since the international break – one Aden Flint.

Our colossal centre-half has fitted straight back into the team and back into the hearts of his adoring City fans. His ‘Flint said no, no, no’ song was belted out with its usual gusto against Derby, and Johnson has a history of not dropping or rotating Aden so it will be interesting to see if he plays keeps his place for the next three fixtures before the next international break.

City are heading to big-spending Norwich this weekend, and much has been made of the fact that the team will be flying up to their hotel on the Friday as opposed to sitting on a coach for five hours or so. This seems like the professional way to do it, so fingers crossed the considerable cost will be offset with another good performance and at least a point.