So, three games played- nine points, eight goals scored, none conceded. Can’t really complain with that! If we were handed that record by someone at the start of the season, we would have snapped not only their hand off, but probably their arm, too.
It has been a blistering start for the Sky Blues. Coming off the back of a disappointing trophy-less season last term, many were calling for Manuel Pellegrini’s head, and the future of certain players looked in doubt. The Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp talk was building up, and many City fans were unsure of what sort of side would appear this time around as the new season kicked off. But whatever side has turned up to play so far is one that City fans will be hoping stays for the entirety of the campaign.
Last season is now nothing but a distant memory. The team is playing with hunger, desire and effort; and this has culminated in two successive 3-0 wins over West Brom and champions Chelsea; before an excellent 2-0 win at Goodison Park defeated a spirited Everton side yesterday; maintaining our superb 100% record. We also equalled a club record nine straight wins after the win on Merseyside- a feat that was last reached back in 1912. We nearly
achieved this midway through last season; only for Ashley Barnes and Burnley to cut our celebrations short in December 2014; for another few months at least…
But just what are the factors behind our explosive start to the new campaign? I look at a few things that might have played a part in this new look City side that have had City fans off their seats so far this season…
The manager
It’s not rocket science to understand that last season was below par for The Blues. Finishing eight points behind Chelsea and faltering out of both domestic competitions early was not what the board had in mind for
the Chilean in his second year in charge. But the board certainly seem to be firm believers in second chances and that is exactly what they have given Pellegrini. And it’s definitely paid dividends.
Hearing other names that could potentially take his job is probably one of the worst things for a football manager to hear. Manuel must have felt like he was losing power at the club with constant murmurs of Guardiola, Klopp, Ancelotti, and even Diego Simeone, ringing loudly around The Etihad.
But the City hierarchy have stuck with the South American at the helm, and rightly so. Last season’s struggles were not entirely the fault of the Chilean. Granted, his tactical decisions did sometimes raise eyebrows amongst the fans; but he showed signs of his excellent first title-winning season in a number of games last term, and in all honesty, a second-placed finish can’t really be considered a failure by any stretch of the imagination.
Pellegrini knew what he did wrong last season, and he already looks like he has rectified those mistakes this time around. Sticking with the same man has enabled the City camp to stay intact and drilled; the players performing under a manager they know well; and this can only be a good thing in the long term. Chopping and changing the management would have made things complicated and gained us more unnecessary media attention. The City players look like they want to play under Pellegrini again.
The Chilean is a calm figurehead on the touchline; respectable towards others when things go right for his team but, unlike a certain familiar Portugese who wrestled the crown off him last term; admits when he has done wrong. These qualities shone through in the first season Pellegrini was at the helm and, although he received strong criticism last term, he looks to be back to his best at managing the City camp, and this is all because the board have stuck with him. The quality has always been there with Pellegrini, and he deserves every chance to show that quality. And the first three games of the new season are evidence that it’s beginning to rub off on the team…
Fresh signings
This seems like an obvious one, but the business City have done so far in the transfer window has benefited the side hugely. Raheem Sterling is that added injection of pace that we have always been longing for to help David Silva manoeuvre freely to find that killer pass; link up with the dangerous Aleksander Kolarov on the left flank, and most importantly, take the pressure off Sergio Aguero, who was relied upon heavily last season. Despite not scoring so far, Sterling has had a monumental impact on the way City play, giving us extra options and enabling us to hit sides hard on the counter attack. The first goal at Goodison yesterday was a prime example of how dangerous we can be playing this way.
Other reinforcements in the form of Fabian Delph and Nicolas Otamendi allow us more strength in depth in both defence and midfield, which is vital as we begin to hit the busy stage of the season after the Champions League draw is made and the domestic cup competitions begin to take hold. And these aren’t just average players, either. Delph is a current acclaimed England international who captained Aston Villa’s relegation threatened side to safety last season, and Otamendi is a Champions League experienced centre-half who started every one of Valencia’s games last term in La Liga. And if he’s as good as the last player we bought from the Spanish outfit, then we’re in for a real treat…
City also seem to be deadly serious about youth and the signings of both Patrick Roberts and Enes Unal outline this. With some loan experience behind them, they have the potential to break into a future City side alongside other exciting young prospects like Jason Denayer and Brandon Barker.
These signings can only be a good thing for the side as good quality is brought in. A team always needs at least one major signing if they are to challenge for the league; and we have made several, putting us in a very strong position for the crown this term, although it is still very much early doors.
Competition for places and emergence of current players
These new signings have not only added quality to the squad, but they have also forced current players to step up to the plate and start playing out of their skin to stay in the side. A prime example is Eliaquim Mangala. Touted to be dropped by many after the signing of Nicolas Otamendi; the Frenchman has put in three excellent performances so far this term alongside Vincent Kompany to make sure of his place in the centre of defence and temporarily keep the Argentine out of the side, and it is becoming increasingly evident that Otamendi is going to have to work extremely hard to get his own place there.
Not only this, some of the players who struggled last season have upped their game this term and look like completely new signings. Examples include Samir Nasri; Vincent Kompany; Yaya Toure and Aleksander Kolarov, all of whom have put in assured displays to earn their plaudits and fill them with new confidence that was seemingly missing for large parts of last season.
What now?
We can only hope that we continue against Watford this Saturday in the same vain as the previous three matches we have played- confident; sharp; committed and determined to win. Too many times we came unstuck against these sorts of sides last season, but who knows what this all-new City side will be able to produce this weekend. If we continue like this, we have every chance of regaining the league title with relative ease, but we need consistency from the players and squad depth; both of which we have seen so far this campaign.
