Barton is showing the form that got him his England call-up and Martins is completely untouchable at the moment. He is thriving with having the service and being able to detonate his lethal shot. Owen is also looking like he is caring at the minute and is clearly loving the Viduka, Martins trio formation.

However, KK’s biggest triumph is that he is finally bleeding the youngsters through, Edgar started yesterday and rarely put a foot wrong. Carroll has looked very impressive when he has come on and Kazenga Lua Lua has been promoted to the first team.

We have a long way to go. Many things have to change so we dont have another season of mid-table mediocrity. KK has though identified some of the problems and as you can see, he has tweaked the system so it works. Hopefully some shrewd buying by Dennis Wise in the summer will get us operating at the echelons that we so desperately want. Its all talk at the minute.

But the action starts next Saturday against Portsmouth.

Match Report