Could Awoniyi's return ease the weight on Wood?

There are some games that give you hope. Games where you do not feel like the fourth-worst team in the division. Games where the team gave their all and, although they came away with nothing, you gave one of the best sides in the world a run for their money.

Doing well, of course, does not give you points. And with three games to go, feeling good about ourselves is not enough.

But play as we did against Manchester City for the remaining three matches and we should be OK.

Quite why we have not reverted to a back three until now is a question, especially when we have been overrun in midfield on occasion.

However, it is evident what we have missed in Willy Boly. With that assuredness at the back, the experience he brought to the defence seemed to permeate through the ranks.

Ola Aina’s swashbuckling display up and down the left wing, in tandem with Callum Hudson-Odoi, meant the ongoing absence of Nuno Tavares is not of due concern.

However, it is the injury-ridden season of Taiwo Awoniyi that is perhaps the greatest loss.

Chris Wood may have had quite the purple patch, but without another proven striker available it is a heavy burden up front.

Could Awoniyi return before the end of the season and deliver the composure we need in front of goal? We can only hope.

Pat Riddell can be found at The Famous Club