Yet another 90+ minute goal let us down. As frustrating as this is, it was quite a satisfying point earned for City in the end. City have travelled well in London this season, picking up 3 points at Charlton and Fulham, and were close to repeating this feat at Brentford as Lee Tomlin opened the scoring on the brink of half-time with a lovely curling strike into the bottom corner, but City were pegged back by a 91st minute equalizer from Brentford’s Hogan.
City competed well in the first half. Man of the match, Richard O’Donnell made some excellent saves to deny Brentford a couple of goals, paving the way for City to take the lead. However, in the second half City were 2nd best and were relying on O’Donnell to keep us in front. He even saved a penalty on 85 mins but could do nothing to deny Hogan’s last gasp header. Brentford fully deserved their equalizer and as frustrating as it was to concede so late again, we could have no qualms with the scoreline.
The way I see the result, is a point closer to safety. Although it looks like a certainty that we’ll stay up now, just 2 more points and we’ll be mathematically safe which should be the current goal for everyone at the club. Lee Johnson has done a good job since his appointment at City and has made us look comfortable in staying up, almost disguising what a struggle of a season it’s been. We look like we’re becoming a solid Championship side that could push for a top half finish next year. It’s all about progression – I don’t want to jump the gun and claim we can get playoffs, because I don’t think that is a realistic aim. As long as we keep improving as we currently are, the future could be an exciting one.
Following Cotterill’s ultimate disaster with transfers, I am unsure how much say Lee Johnson has in current transfers at the club. He is labelled ‘first team coach’ as opposed to being a ‘manager’, suggesting that he coaches and picks the team rather than having external transfer dealings. Whoever has been doing the dealings since January (most likely Mark Ashton), they’re doing a great job. The permanent signings of Richard O’Donnell and Scott Golbourne have been cute bits of business, and furthermore the loan signings such as Adam Matthews and Lee Tomlin have given us an extra boost. If we can sign them two on permanent deals next season then I’ll be a happy man.
Our next match is tomorrow night at home to Derby County. They’re a good side as we found out in our 4-0 loss to them in december, however they do have a tendency to choke matches especially at this point of the season. As we’ve all but confirmed our survival in the Championship, they’re comfortably sat in the play-off positions so both teams have similar stakes to play for. Apart from doing the double over Middlesborough, we’ve been pretty dismal against the better teams in this division, losing 4-0 to Hull, Burnley, Brighton and Derby. Tomorrow night gives us a chance of redemption, and some renewed confidence vs the top teams for next season. My prediction is a hard fought 1-1 draw, but what do I know! COYR
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