Birmingham City have got off to an inconsistent start under Pep Clotet but victory over Barnsley will have left Blues fans feeling more optimistic.
The Tykes may be recently promoted but they dominated possession at St. Andrew's, although it is credit to Birmingham's defence and Clotet's organisation that they failed to create any clear-cut openings.
Some fans would have feared the worst coming into this match after a dismal display against Nottingham Forest, which could have ended up even worse than the 3-0 scoreline at City Ground.
With a managerial change and the departure of a couple of key players in Jota and Che Adams, it is difficult to predict Blues fortunes this season, but here are THREE things we learnt from their match against Barnsley last night...
Che Adams may not be missed as much as first feared
Adams struck 22 league goals for Birmingham last season and struck up a brilliant partnership with Lucas Jutkiewicz, and despite the hefty fee the club received for his services, his departure would have caused concern for some.
However, Clotet brought in Alvaro Gimenez, and the Spaniard displayed what he is capable of last night.
He scored 20 goals for Almeria last season and got off the mark for his new club last night with a brilliantly taken finish, lofting the ball above the keeper after he got onto the end of a through ball.
If he continues to get into the positions he did last night he will surely help himself to several goals throughout the season, and once he is up to full fitness he is bound to cause problems for Championship defences - and hopefully for Blues sake he will reach a similar level to what Adams managed.
Steve Seddon could be the next breakthrough star
The 21-year-old has been given an opportunity under Clotet after impressing on loan at AFC Wimbledon last season, and he hasn't wasted any time in showing his quality.
He started on opening day fixture against Brentford and helped his side keep a clean sheet before being taken off on the hour mark, and against Barnsley he showed that he can be just as effective in attack as in defence.
He played just a minute of Birmingham's other two Championship games but his performance against Barnsley will give Clotet something to think about.
He kept Luke Thomas quiet for most of the match before breaking superbly down the left-flank in the closing stages, and found Gimenez with a pinpoint through ball to provide an assist for the second goal.
Clotet's counter-attacking style could be effective
The decision to go with five at the back may have raised a few eyebrows at St. Andrew's but it proved to be a shrewd decision from Clotet.
His side allowed Barnsley to keep the ball without them posing any threat, and soaked up pressure before counter-attacking decisively.
In Fran Villalba and Gimenez they have pace in the side and players who are quick-thinking, and the more their understanding builds with each other and Jutkieicz then the more dangerous Birmingham will be in attack.
Their second goal was a fine example of what they're capable of and if they can work on attacking moves on the training ground then they should be as good going forward as they are in defence.