2006/07 season review March-May

March

The month started with me musing over the potential number of points required for survival, something which became prevalent as defeat at home to Wigan pushed Pearce on the brink of the sack.

Kenny Jackett was brought in to the backroom staff, sparking rumours in some quarters that he was lined up to replace Pearce.

The Supporters Trust held their open meeting, and Wembley dreams were shattered as a spiritless display saw us crash at Blackburn. The performance at home to Chelsea was better, but still ended with no points and no goals.

Light at the end of the tunnel though as a rare win over Middlesbrough eased relegation fears.


April

Back to back wins in the North-East were completed at St.James Park to leave us fairly comfortable above relegation and this was reinforced with a point at home to Charlton but a win at Craven Cottage all-but ensured Premiership football next season.

Brian Horton and Paul Walsh were spotted out and about in Didsbury and Sylvain Distin announced he would stay at the club if they matched his ambition.

Another 0-0 was experienced at home to Liverpool and we were defeated on our first appearance at The Emirates.

The 1-1 draw at Watford was overshadowed by Joey Barton's outburst and the takeover talk heated up again.

Former manager Alan Ball passed away, and rumours abounded that Sam Allardyce was to be our next manager as he resigned from Bolton.


May

Joey Barton's City career was thrown in doubt after his training ground attack on Ousmane Dabo, occuring only days before the Derby - which saw a 1-0 defeat and a missed Darius Vassell penalty and Michael Ball banned for his stamp on Cristiano Ronaldo.


Trevor Sinclair and Stephen Jordan were released, and it looked like Thaksin Shinawatra was the man to take over the club. A defeat at Tottenham on the final day signalled the end of Stuart Pearce's reign and brought the curtain down on the 2006/07 season.....