The Sky Blue decade: 2004

Year In Brief: With Eric Black in permanent charge, City started 2004 by going goal crazy, scoring six at Walsall, five at Gillingham and four against Burnley, Preston and Millwall at home.

Black's sacking came as something of a surprise therefore and there was a general lack of excitement at Peter Reid being named as his successor. He ended 2004 clinging onto his job after an abject few months in charge and would be gone just days into the new year...

High Point: A 5-2 win at Gillingham summed up the best of the Black era and also saw Richard Shaw's solitary Sky Blue strike!

Low Point: A 4-1 defeat at QPR on a wet midweek evening. The travelling fans vented their anger, veteran defender Steve Staunton vented his and a generally dismal atmosphere became hostile.

Brief Encounter (1): Trumpeted as a big-name signing, Tim Sherwood hung around the centre circle for ten games, pointing and shouting a lot but doing very little else.

Brief Encounter (2): Businessman Joe Dhinsa appeared on the scene with talk of a takeover and the arrival of Gerard Houllier as manager.

Quote Unquote: 'We feel inconsistency has been a major issue for the team over recent months and that we need a new face to drive the club forward, particularly considering our move to a new stadium in August 2005,' was chairman Mike McGinnity's reasoning behind the sacking of Eric Black.

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