THEPRESSBOX Shorn of quality, where to next for dishevelled City?
FEELING OF FOREBODING HANGS OVER KCOM AS TIGERS FAIL TO DELIVER IN HIGH-STAKES CLASH
positive came from the failings of others.
For City to be almost where they began the weekend is the smallest of small mercies. Middlesbrough, Charlton and Huddersfield all suffered home defeats equally as deflating, while Barnsley and Wigan had to settle for a point apiece when meeting at Oakwell.
Only Luton Town, who impressively beat the Terriers on Friday, could boast purposeful steps towards the finish post.
The damage done to the table was limited but City will carry psychological scars into the biggest two games of their season.
Facing Wigan away and then Luton at home promises to seal the fate of Mccann’s men. Fail to find a win up against their two relegation rivals and City might well be toast before the season finishes away to Cardiff.
Four points from a possible 18 has not been good enough since lockdown.
Mccann points out the positives and improvements but the home defeats to Charlton and Millwall, their two visitors from South London, have depicted a broken and aimless side. Mccann, too, has looked all out of ideas when he needed to find inspiration.
He might have sent his team out with clear instructions and a plan but City have been predictable and blunt when chasing games. “We are trying,” he maintained.
Like for like replacements have not cut it, though, especially not when replacing Angus Macdonald with Ryan Tafazolli with 10 minutes to play on Saturday as both Jon Toral and James Scott watched on. There would have been howls of derision had there been supporters there to witness that.
Mccann declined to comment on any fight he might have to stay in a job but 20 years in professional football ensure he can see the ice cracking beneath his feet. Few modern managers survive a run of six points from a possible 51, especially not if the season ends with relegation.
“I’m the manager of this football club so I’ll take the brunt no problem,” said Mccann. “We have got a firm belief in this group and we’ll look to get a response in these next three games.”
City are drowning in a pool where they used to able to stand up. There was just a point between the Tigers and Millwall on New