With 33 years of cobwebs in the trophy cabinet washed away and an FA cup sat firmly in their place, last season Manchester City had to further prove their money’s worth by setting their sights on greater achievements. After failing to get through the group stages of the Champions League, Roberto Mancini’s ultimate challenge lay on winning the Premiership title. City finished top of the Premier League for the first time in forty-four years, but the journey was less than smooth. Alter egos, an African Nation Cup and a couple of bad ref decisions were all contributing bumps. The fans nerves were tested right up until injury of the final game against QPR. Up until this point, it looked as though rivals Manchester United were about to claim their 20th league title, but a goal by Sergio Aguero in the 92nd minute made sure that was not the case, making victory for the blue side of Manchester all the more sweeter (after the heart attacks had subsided of course).
This year, with the Community Shield already in the bag, maintaining the title will be the ultimate aim, as well as pushing into the further stages of the Champions league. They should be reaching the quarter finals of the Champions League at the very least. In the league they need to maintain their unbeatable home form and concentrate on improving their away form. They need to try and not lose concentration against smaller teams as this is where they failed last season; they should play every team like they are playing United. There is no doubt, with the team City have, that both are achievable. On paper City have the quality to go on and win both competitions. City’s defence is solid and their front would be brilliant if egos are managed to be kept at bay. City has world class, hard working and entertaining players, whose talents have been overshadowed by two particular egos, and envious critics.
City’s strength is in their passes. They should continue to pack their mid field with perhaps a 3-5-1-1 formation. This will allow them to continue to dominate the ball in possession by playing short passes, drawing teams out to let players like Silva and Aguero run in behind the defence. What City needs is a plan B. Mancini needs to have an alternative arrangement to their original style of play. They need to find a more direct approach and a bit more width. They need to stop playing down the middle and have to get a bit more depth. Bring the fullbacks forward. Clichy towards the end of the season offered good width on the left. Once teams have figured City out, they will camp out on the eighteen yard line, and look to get that one counter attack. It happened at Sunderland and Everton last year. They need to be able to get the ball forward earlier. Play the ball over the defenders, to make them run back which creates spaces and chances.
I think our key player this season will be Aguero. He has a season under his belt; he’s well rested as he’s not been competing in any summer tournament. He now knows what premiership is about and he’s adapted to it. He’s going to be dangerous to the opposition and essential to City this season.
City should take a few lessons from last season for my sake as well as theirs – don’t leave winning to the last minutes, don’t let players antics off pitch distract focus from the game, don’t lose concentration against smaller teams, and if our usual style of play isn’t working, mix it up, be direct, do the unexpected.
City’s starts this season at home against Southampton, Sunday 19th, 4pm.