Phineas T Barnum’s dictum 'Always leave them wanting more' was never truer than last Saturday as delighted City fans just didn’t want the game to end - or for the season to be interrupted by another international break.
Hull came into the fixture on a roll, but were picked apart by a rampant home side who could, and probably should, have won by even more as they sliced through the visitors’ defence at will.
It was undoubtedly the most complete performance of the season so far, and there is a slight air of disbelief within the fanbase because I suspect that none of us really expected so much progress to be made so quickly.
However, what’s really exciting is that there seems to be more to come in terms of development as players become increasingly familiar with, and comfortable in, the system.
That in turn makes it easier for new players to slot in. We saw that with Kade Gordon against Leeds when his introduction made a big impact, and he was impressive again against Hull.
He is clearly more than just an out-and-out winger and his willingness to roll up his sleeves and battle, as well as his ability to pop up in the right place as he did for his goal, is already endearing him to the fans.
Emiliano Marcondes may have only had a brief cameo after only just arriving at the club, but he showed good awareness and vision, and his familiarity with Johannes Hoff Thorup’s system should make him a useful addition to the squad.
It’s been quite the summer for Ben Knapper and the recruitment team. Firstly, they had to completely rebuild the left side of the defence before strengthening both the central and wide midfield areas, only to be faced with the need to replace the departing Adam Idah, Jonny Rowe and Abu Kamara, the latter at the very last minute.
It’s worth noting that the recruitment team has remained largely unchanged for several years and, having received a lot of criticism over last year’s signings (although they are ultimately tasked to fulfil the brief given to them by the sporting director and head coach) they deserve plenty of praise for this year’s efforts.
Overall, I believe that there are more positives than negatives in recent seasons; for example, Borja Sainz on a free transfer, and the discoveries of Kellen Fisher, Gabby Sara, on whom City have made a big profit, and Marcelino Nunez, who is now looking like one of the best midfielders in the Championship.
After the pedestrian, unimaginative football of the last couple of seasons, City now have a young squad full of players with high levels of technical quality and plenty of scope for future development.
In the context of how uncertain things looked at the start of the summer, that’s a pretty remarkable achievement.
I’ve criticised the club in the past when I’ve felt that they’ve got it wrong, but at the moment they’re getting it right both on and off the field.
One thing that was discussed in the Trust’s recent meeting with Mark Attanasio was the club’s role in the community and we were delighted to hear that he and his group want to build on what has already been achieved.
The Community Sports Foundation does great work, but the club itself has also produced some excellent initiatives, one of which is the highlighting of mental health issues.
Last season’s World Mental Health Day saw City produce a universally applauded video encouraging people to check in on those around them, and for this year’s event the Samaritans were promoted on City’s shirts last week, and football’s first ever Minute Unsilenced was held to encourage people to start conversations about a subject that is still, sadly, sometimes seen as taboo.
Things like this make me even prouder to be a City fan.
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