PLENTY has happened since City’s new era began with a goalless draw against Port Vale in August.

The opening day of the season is a time for hopes and dreams for every football fan. Most will inevitably end in disappointment.

Vale’s Bruno Ribeiro is one of the 37 managers since that summer afternoon who have paid the price for not living up to those early ambitions. That tally now even includes reigning Premier League winner Claudio Ranieri - how times can change.

But nearly seven months on, City remain in the play-off mix – even if sixth place currently represents their lowest position since that point.

Nicky Law needs no reminding that they should be far more secure in the promotion chase. That stalemate with Vale set the tone for far too many draws.

But he is convinced that a campaign that has promised so much up to now will not simply drift away.

“I have not come off a pitch this season and felt that we weren’t as good, if not better, than the team we had played,” he said. “That gives us confidence.

“We are probably ten to 12 points worse off than where we should be. We are struggling for answers as to why.

“We have dominated so many games and not got the desired result that we deserve. There is something there but we are not quite sure what it is so we will look to put it right in the last phase of the season.

“We could be well clear now and comfortably consolidated in the play-offs.

“We have made it difficult but it’s still in our hands.

“And if we keep this level of performance up we’ll have no problem come May.”

As results go, a Vale side without a victory in 2017 should be the ideal opposition as City aim to get back to winning ways after recent frustration.

But with the hosts finding themselves dragged into the scrap at the wrong end of League One, Law anticipates another hard-fought afternoon.

He added: “Port Vale had a good start to the season and were up there near the top early on.

They obviously lost Jonesy (Alex Jones) in January and (Anthony) Grant as well who were two big players for them and have struggled a bit since.

“But we know they are fighting for their lives at the moment which brings different challenges.

“Port Vale is probably the biggest pitch I’ve played on in football.

“We’re hopeful it will suit the way we’ll play but we’ve got to go there and prove that.

“One thing for sure is that we’ll come out fighting and looking for another victory.”

City have had to stew all week since Bolton’s two-goal fightback to share the points. Even for a club more accustomed to draws than any other in the country, it was a tough one to swallow.

Law said: “To play the way we did on a pitch that is as difficult as ours is at the moment was testament to the quality of player we have.

“We should have been out of sight in the first half but we did have a 2-0 lead, which we haven’t had many times this season.

“Coming off the back of three games before that which we felt we should have won makes it all the more frustrating. But we have to stay positive and keep plugging away.”