After two drab seasons of negative tactics and discontent between club and fans, the new era is now starting to produce results to back up the promise shown in the early games. Derby looked like a tricky fixture given the Rams’ excellent home form, but City looked confident in their system and were well worth the three points, having dominated possession. While their first goal was courtesy of a howler by the officials, so was Derby’s second, and I suspect that few neutrals would argue that the win wasn’t fully deserved.
It was a good test for this developing team to have to deal with a hostile atmosphere, particularly when they lost their lead, but they came through it with flying colours, aided by some vociferous support. It's been a long time since I’ve been in an away section that was so loud and so engaged, particularly after half-time when the home fans were incensed by their sense of injustice, and it’s clear that the bond between players and fans is back to the levels of the Daniel Farke era. For all the criticism of supporters since Farke left, the simple fact is that if fans are given something that they can really get behind they will do so, and that’s what we’re currently seeing.
While the win at Pride Park was impressive, Tuesday night was an even sterner challenge, against a side who had totally outclassed City in last season’s play-offs and, despite some injuries, are packed with expensive signings. The fact that they had the luxury of leaving P.