BRISTOL CITY picked up their fourth away win of the season with a solid professional performance away to Southampton.

Gary Johnson had asked his team for a response to the humiliating defeat at home to Reading last week and that is exactly what he got.

It was also good to see Lee Johnson getting a cheer for all the right reasons.

For me it was no coincidence that with David Noble recalled to the starting line up City gave an improved performance and got an important win. David is, as I have said so many times, a quality quality footballer.

He loves the football and has a calmness and class when in possession. The pass that set up the goal was brilliant, and I also think that playing Noble in a five-man midfield also sees Johnson perform at his best.

I thought the team started off very well which is something we have not been doing this season. I thought we largely controlled the opening exchanges and it was no surprise that our early pressure led to a penalty.

I have to say I wasn't completely surprised that Macca missed.

Michael opted for power and the Saints goalie guessed the right way and made a comfortable save.

My brother-in-law, Arf (who at 52 is still playing for Torpedo's in the Downs league) says to me week after week, why do players try to smash the paint off the ball? Macca is good enough to place the ball in either corner, which at pace makes it difficult to save.

Despite getting Man of the Match I still don't think Macca has found his 'A' game and he doesn't seem the happy character that he was last season. He still produced moments of quality and I hope he can get back to enjoying his football.

I thought Dele Adebola worked hard and caused the Southampton defence problems all evening. The big forward was up against two raw centre half's and gave them a lesson. Dele holds the ball up very well, is a strong as an ox and brings advancing midfielders into play.

Gary will I am sure be tempted to bring Stern John into the side as playing only one up front is seen by many as being negative. I hope however that Gary doesn't change a winning side and sticks with the same eleven and formation.

I should also make a mention for Bradley Orr who made a killer pass for Lee Johnson's goal and even better than that made a tackle towards the end of the game that was akin to the great Booby Moore. I give Bradley a bit of stick but when he plays like that he's a very good right back.

I was really pleased that Johnson got what turned out to be the winner. Whether you like him or not, it would be very easy for him to shy away and let some of the fans' reactions towards him affect him. Johnson hasn't played well recently but gave an improved performance and it was great to see the crowd reaction and player's reaction to his goal.

I was interested to see on the TV stats that when level at half time City are unbeaten, winning three games and drawing four, and that when taking the lead in a game City have gone on to win five times and draw once.

This week also saw the club announce their annual accounts showing a loss of nearly £2 million, compared to a loss of £880,000 last year. The turnover of the club more than doubled to £8.8m but staff costs rose to £8.5m, showing how expensive it is to run a football club even after a really successful season.