MY PESSIMISM in last week’s article was happily unfounded.

How could I have doubted my beloved team? It was a simply perfect weekend for Bristol City with wins over Nottingham Forest and Coventry.

For the first time in weeks I am optimistic of survival as we are four vital points clear of Coventry. Portsmouth and Doncaster are now well adrift of us.

The battling win at Forest by a single goal from the penalty spot by Chris Wood was hard earned and Dean Gerken in the City goal was simply outstanding.

David James may well have played his last game for us as the young pretender has stepped brilliantly into his boots. Louis Carey was superb in defence, bruised and battered at the end and quietly reminding us that unless the team delivered on Monday this win would count for nothing.

Ashton Gate was packed to capacity but as ever we made it hard for ourselves with John Stead putting through his own goal with a header which had it been at the other end would have been brilliant. A dark cloud descended over BS3 as we all feared the worst.

The tall striker made amends immediately after the break, bundling in a messy goal, and at last City were surely on their way.

Roared on by the huge home support, City struggled to edge in front. Then the unpredictable Yannick Bolasie took to the field and with his second touch he scored. An inspired substitution by McInnes with a bit of luck thrown in too.

Stead, who had run himself out was replaced by Wood, who was soon on his own up front as Pitman’s rash challenge earned him a straight red. With seconds left Wood added a third to make it the happiest Easter many of us City fans can remember.

So just four matches left and this Saturday we are away at promotion-chasing Birmingham. This is going to be a very tough one for us but there is pressure on the home side and with City’s new found confidence, and my new optimism, we just might take a point.

That is followed by West Ham at Ashton Gate next Tuesday. City can make life difficult for the Hammers and roared on by another huge crowd, I expect a night to remember. Nicky Maynard, returning to the Gate after his transfer, will get a hot reception.

We are not safe yet but Coventry will be deflated after City ended their good run and will equally find points hard to come by. Easter has breathed new life into the City players and supporters and it promises to be an exciting final three weeks of the season.

Do you agree with Graham’s views? Have your say below.