IT was a familiar story for City last Saturday as we spurned multiple chances at home to Birmingham City and still couldn’t win the game.

We are looking a much-improved side defensively under interim-manager Pemberton though, as we restricted the away side to barely having a shot on goal all game.

Their only shot on target was saved well by O’Donnell in the second half. City’s best chances came in the opening 20 minutes of the game and we really need to start taking the lead in games and seeing them off.

In the second half, we huffed and puffed and had a couple of good chances late on but Blues did come into the game more. The final score of 0-0 was disappointing but given Birmingham were sixth going into the game, it’s not a bad result and, in terms of performance, we are definitely showing signs of improvement since Cotterill left the club.

Meanwhile, the transfer window closed on Monday with City making just the one deadline day signing – keeper O’Donnell making his loan move from Wigan Athletic permanent.

He’s been impressive since joining the club a couple of weeks ago.

It was frustrating that we could not land a striker and midfielder – the former of which we desperately need to add goals to the team.

We were linked with Macheda at Cardiff, Walsall’s Bradshaw and an audacious move for Darren Bent at Derby but no deal was forthcoming.

We also put in a late bid for Gillingham’s goal scoring midfielder Bradley Dack, which was turned down.

City will now have to address recruitment in these positions through the loan window, which opens next week.

On Saturday, City travel to London for a vital relegation six-pointer at Charlton Athletic (3pm). City lie just one point above the Addicks in the Championship table.

Although not a ‘must win’ game, it would probably be reasonable to bill this one as a ‘must not lose’ for City given our precarious league position.