No one expected City to be 23 days into 2024 and still unbeaten. Especially not when the Championship fixture list read, Southampton (h), Hull (a), and West Brom (h).

Even those of a positive disposition were apprehensive. All three teams were above us in the table and the type against whom we have struggled. But, literally, against all the odds, seven points out of nine have ensued.

However, as the saying goes, you?re only as good as your next game, and the fine win over West Brom will soon be forgotten if they are unable to follow it up with a good performance at Elland Road.

The flip side is that to return home from Yorkshire with a good performance and some points will set us up nicely for a playoff push that one month ago looked well and truly out of the question.
The task is a massive one though. Leeds have been irresistible all season at home.

And, as part of that uber-impressive record, they have hopped aboard the Farke train and have developed that priceless ability to snatch late, last-gasp winners in the style of Teemu Pukki/Onel Hernandez.

They were at it again at the weekend, when it ticked onto minute 93 before Joel Piroe tucked away a penalty to clinch a vital 2-1 win.

For what it?s worth, this is how they lined up against PNE:

On paper, for me, that team looks on a par with Leicester and Southampton, so it?s no surprise to see they are unbeaten at Elland Road.

Their strengths are numerous but the attacking quartet of James,...