Manchester City observations

That was better wasn't it?

There was something about yesterday which evoked memories of the Great Escape. Whether it was the 'Horse' turning up (cue inevitable Big Screen showing of that game) or the atmosphere of the home supporters - or even the nature of the victory - it's clear that Albion have the spirit to turn this around. Do they have the ability or good fortune? As Tony Mowbray would say, 'Let's wait and see eh?'

One win doesn't transform a season.

However it gives Tony Mowbray some food for thought. For starters, it proves that Roman Bednar's brawn and power can cut it against certain defenders. Luke Moore has the pace and the understanding of the game to cause problems. Martin O'Neill used to call him the best finisher at Villa - make that Albion now.

And, at the back, Jonas Olsson and Abdoulaye Meite continue to impress me. The full-backs had a better day and we'll see what Marek Cech is made of against Spurs.

Then, of course, the window opens...

Elsewhere, I was amused to see the Manchester City media office stoop to new levels of paranoia at The Hawthorns yesterday. Press officers are sensitive souls at the best of times, but one national journalist was amused to receive a text from the City employee within minutes of asking Mark Hughes whether he feared for his future. Hughes, for the record, replied that he didn't and had spoken to the club's Arab owners after the game.

The text, which the City employee asked this particular journalist to pass around the press room, stated that it was standard procedure for Hughes to speak to the Arab owners after matches and that he wouldn't be sacked any time soon.

How's that for a vote of confidence.

Even more amusing was the story about Andy Johnson's transfer from Forest to the Hawthorns, back in 2002, which was re-told in yesterday's Albion programme.

You may recall that Paul Hart, Forest boss at the time, was unwilling to let Johnson leave, despite not playing him.

So Johnson, after weeks of hassling Hart to no avail, took matters into his own hands.

Johnno clambered onto the manager's desk and...well, without going into detail, let's just say that Hart's office floor needed a good scrub afterwards.

That's one way of getting a move.

Hart was no doubt 'relieved' to see the back of him after that little episode.