Since I last wrote an article, we’ve made some new signings, the transfer window has slammed shut and we’ve picked up 6 more points out of a possible 9 available, leaving us with 39 points now on the board.

So let’s start with the new signings that have been brought in. Mo Eisa, brought in on loan from MK Dons, is a proven goalscorer that has huge experience, and should fill the void well that we have up top. Also, Millenic Alli has been signed permanently from Halifax and although he’s currently injured, it looks to me that he’ll be a fantastic signing and he interviewed really well on arrival at SJP.

On deadline day, another loan signing in Ryan Woods came into the club, and from what we’ve seen so far and his experience in the middle of the park he may well give us the wise head we need. Brentford fans speak highly of him too so I think overall based on those signings we’ve had a surprisingly successful transfer window.

Onto the games now, the second game in two weeks against Bristol Rovers saw them get revenge for their defeat 10 days earlier at the mem, winning 1-0 at SJP. There was controversy regarding the goal as Reece Cole was obstructed in the lead-up, but that’s how it goes sometimes. We hit the woodwork so it wasn’t for lack of trying that we lost the game, and overall although it wasn’t a great performance it wasn’t awful either.

Three days later, we had the opportunity to put things right with a home game against Peterborough United, with academy graduates Joel Randall and Archie Collins starting for the visitors. During the first half, I felt our defensive line was too deep but Peterborough in that first half passed the ball around well and closed us down quickly, which for me demonstrated that they were the best side that I’d witnessed visiting SJP this season. They took the lead on the half-hour from the penalty spot, so an uphill struggle was anticipated.

However, that all changed in the 55th minute when Michael Olakigbe was sent off for a second bookable offence. This seemed to rattle the Posh players greatly, and we started to make the extra man count. Peterborough were starting to make cynical fouls and time waste to try and see out their lead, but this backfired on them. City won a free kick just outside the box – Reece Cole took it and it went beyond the keeper to obtain a much-needed equaliser for the Grecians. Then another free kick was whipped into the box and it hit the leg of a Peterborough player to head into the net to make it 2-1 to City. A colossal defensive performance and making the extra man advantage count saw City see out the game and obtain 3 valuable points.

Then it was a trip to Wigan Athletic yesterday, where we were looking to obtain revenge for the two 2-0 home defeats in both league and cup earlier in the season. Mo Eisa made his first start for the club, and following great work from Ilmari Niskanen to win back the ball, Eisa took a shot which deflected off the Wigan defender into the back of the net to give City a 1-0 lead 10 minutes in. City dominated the first half, but after the break Wigan brought on some more strikers and tried to cause us problems, but we defended resolutely. Against the run of play, good work again from Niskanen who passed it to Eisa in the box then found Jack Aitchison whose shot deflected off another Wigan defender into the back of the net to make it 2-0 to the Grecians. Wigan picked up a consolation a few minutes later to make it a nervy last 20 minutes but again City defended resolutely and held on for our second 2-1 win in a matter of days. A special mention must go to Niskanen who I feel had his best game in a City shirt.

We’re now at 39 points with 14 games to go, and as I’ve said many times before the 50 point mark is usually enough for safety. Barring a capitulation of epic proportions, I cannot see us getting relegated this season so in the long run we should be ok. I didn’t see this coming at all over Christmas, so more fool me!

As a result, I’m now off the fence regarding Gary Caldwell’s job as manager and now believe he has earned the opportunity to continue with both recent performances and a successful transfer window. Again, I didn’t see this coming at all at Christmas so huge credit must go to GC, his staff and the players, and long may this good form continue! Again, I’m sorry for doubting, and this will teach me to not be hasty about calling for change and to keep the faith. I’ve seen so much worse in my near 27 years following the club, so you’ve got to put that into perspective sometimes really.

So, onto Derby at home on Tuesday night, and followed by winnable games away at Lincoln and at home to Fleetwood, I’m quite optimistic about the coming weeks. It’ll be a big ask to obtain three points against Derby on Tuesday considering that they’re second, but they only managed a draw at home to Shrewsbury yesterday and we’ve beaten two good sides in our last two games so anything could happen. We’ll just get behind the boys as ever and hope for another stellar performance. UTC.