City’s 32-point tally from 10 wins and two draws in 2025 is the most in England’s top four divisions.
When Big Ben finished chiming, Graham Alexander’s side sat 10th in League Two – 15 adrift of pace-setters Walsall.
Just over two months on, they are snapping at the heels of the long-time leaders a mere two points behind. Confidence has soared on and off the pitch as City continue to churn out one result after another.
“There is a feeling inside Valley Parade, with the supporters and definitely within the squad,” said Alexander.
“It’s good to have that but it doesn’t win you a point. It helps but it doesn’t win you anything on itself.
“The expectancy from us should be that if we keep doing the same things that we are then that will lead to positive results. It’s not just, ‘we’re going to win no matter what we do’.
“If we come off what we do, then we’ll get the slap we deserve.
“I believe the players know where it comes from. But I believe they are confident in knowing how we approach the games, how strong and physically fit they are, how together they are.
“That’s halfway to winning already. That’s where the confidence and feeling comes from.
“But Walsall probably had that feeling six weeks ago so it can evaporate if you don’t manage it properly and keep driving forward.
City fans are loving every minute of their team's impressive runCity fans are loving every minute of their team's impressive run (Image: Tom Pearson)
“That’s what we have to do. We cannot for one second take a big deep breath and sit back.
“We have to keep driving and the players are ready to do that. They’ve been doing it since day one.
“We have to maintain it for a little while longer. Eleven games is a big chunk of the season.
“There are a lot of points (to play for) and we are nowhere near where we want to be.”
City have had to do it tough after losing top scorer Andy Cook with a season-ending ACL injury at Barrow on New Year’s Day.
Antoni Sarcevic is now out of action for at least a few weeks with a hamstring strain and Alex Pattison faces just as tight a time schedule after his appendix was removed.
The team mantra that Alexander drives at all times will be crucial in the nail-chewing weeks to come.
“We value all the players,” added the City boss. “There are players with attributes that everyone’s seen this season.
“The only two that have played every game are Richie (Smallwood) and Sam Walker. Every other individual in that squad we’ve won without.
“That’s what we’ve tried to create. We don’t want to be dependent on any one player.
“I learned from experience that the successful teams I played for didn’t rely on one player.
“They could get injured or suspended and then what happens? You fall apart.
“That’s not a team and it is teams that are successful. For me, the value of the team and the squad always overshadows any individual.
“That was the case for me as a player. I never for once wanted to feel any bigger than anybody else, I just wanted to be part of a group.
“You have that as a footballer from a young age. You want to be in a team sport and being a part of something bigger than yourself.
“It’s important we value everyone like I have done when they haven’t been playing. I knew from previous experience that injuries and red cards happen and you have to be consistent for a long time.
“The players have to understand it and they’ve really felt that strength in depth for a long time now.”