Olympics has nothing on City’s victory

Something slightly odd happened to me this week, something that I have chosen to share with you. I awoke and decided to browse a popular social media app on my phone and was flabbergasted to see that I (well, not me personally but sort of me) was the subject of a Daily Mash mock news article (for those of you unfamiliar with the Mash I suggest you check out their website where you’ll find anything from satirical nonsense to nonsense satire).

The article in question referred to someone who had found themselves exhausted from staying up late at night watching the swimming. As any self respecting sport obsessive will have also been doing, I have indeed been staying up late and watching a myriad of sporting contests across a number of physical, and some less physical, disciplines at the Olympics in Rio which started last Friday. I am now accustomed to the intricacies and tactics employed in sports such as diving, fencing, equestrian and others.

I have very much enjoyed my foray into so called ‘minor’ sports arenas. The exploits of Tom Daley and Adam Peaty and co have been impressive but they have not managed to take my sporting moment of this the last week. That honour has to go to the entire City team for the last ten minutes of effort against Wigan on Saturday. 1-0 down with ten minutes to go City managed to win the match with a dramatic 90th minute winner.

Lee Johnson’s post-match interview likened the tactics to that of a Championship Manager strategy where you ask your players to go ‘gung-ho’. Gung-ho is defined as ‘unthinkingly enthusiastic and eager, especially about taking part in fighting or warfare’.

I would say that is a fair reflection on the City performance of the last twenty minutes or so. The previous 70 had begun OK but by half-time, and being 1-0 down, my friends and I were thinking it might be same old City with their opening day of the season blues.

The second half was something of a breath of fresh air though and, as Johnson suggested afterwards, they just seemed to really go for it. Whether or not that strategy would prove prudent in games to come remains to be seen but against the likes of Wigan it worked for sure.

It’s been some time since I have left the ground singing the name of a new signing making their debut, especially one as young as City’s new fans’ favourite Tammy Abraham who filled that number nine shirt which had been left vacant.

A mention also has to go to Callum O’Dowda who looked refreshingly offensively minded trying to beat his man pretty much every time he received the ball. So, overall, a decent start and a really enjoyable first game of the season. I think we could do with a result at least against Burton this weekend as the following few matches see us pitted against the three teams relegated from the Premier League.

In other major City news this week our wonderful chairman, Steve Lansdown, who has rightly had our new West stand named after him, spoke of his desire to keep Jonathan Kodjia at the club, suggesting it would take a bid in excess of 10 million pounds to prise him away. He added that offer would have to come from a Premier League club. Interesting stuff. I would imagine that this was a planned public rebuff to try and dissuade suitors but it will be fascinating to see if a bid for him does materialise.

Otherwise, acquisition wise, I would think we might be looking to add a centre back to our numbers but other than that the squad looks pretty set I would say. As I said last week I hope Ayling [now departed – ed] can make more of an impact this year and fingers crossed the Celtic rumours are no more than, well, rumours. I fancy City can continue their good start with three points against Championship newcomers Burton Albion and make it three wins from three for the season.