Eventually

It's taken ten months and fifty three competitive games, but in the last four matches we've finally moved towards fulfilling one of Mark Hughes' main responsibilities: playing like a balanced team, a well-functioning unit.

A shame that it's taken too long - it's possible that fatal damage has already been done to Hughes' reputation in Abu Dhabi. But I feel more confident about taking the necessary six or seven points from our last three games to take seventh than I ever thought I would during those dark winter weeks.