We still probably won’t do it, but we are smiling again

WHAT a difference a week makes! After the defeat to Cardiff City and the subsequent sacking of Lee Johnson, I’ll admit to feeling pretty low. I really liked Lee and loved that he cared so much about our club. As I said last week, I think it was the right decision with the recent run of results and on top of that the pretty dire performances. Our season appeared to have fizzled out but hang on a minute...

Up steps Dean Holden to the caretaker role and, a week later, we have won two games on the bounce, against Hull City and Middlesbrough, and with other results having gone our way, we are now three points off that final play-off position. With an inferior goal difference, it is more like four points and, in truth, even if we win our remaining three games, I don’t think it will be enough to seal sixth place, but we are smiling again. So, what’s changed?

There is pretty much always that extra bounce when a new boss comes in but Dean isn’t really new, he is well known by the players and will I am sure have had quite a bit of input into Lee’s team selections and tactics. Dean has to me simplified everything, he has stuck to a settled side and a settled formation and has told the players to enjoy their football. The Hull victory was a decent performance but no one got carried away, we were playing a side low on confidence and the only team below us in the form guide. It took two moments of magic from the re-energised Jamie Paterson to clinch that important win but a win is a win. Dean Holden was humble in victory and quick to praise the players and deflected any praise which came his way.

So on to Middlesbrough and a team managed by a man with a lovehate relationship with us, Neil Warnock. We knew what to expect from a Warnock side, a physical side looking to get the ball forward as quickly as possible. We had to match them and we more than did that. The back four of Dan Bentley, Nathan Baker, Tomas Kalas and Filip Benkovic were superb. I was particularly impressed with the on-loan Leicester City man and you can’t help wonder why he hasn’t featured more since his loan signing in January.

In Paterson, City had the standout player. We all know just how good Pato can be and under Holden he has really come to life. City were fluid all over the pitch. It was great to watch and the players played with a freedom often missing this season.