City must grasp the nettle as rivals falter

MANCHESTER City may be building for the future, but faltering performances from rival Premier League clubs suggest the Eastlands outfit should be striving to achieve their goals ahead of target.

A top-four finish and a place in next season’s Champions League had been mooted as a realistic aim for the current campaign.

But, with the big teams in England struggling to replicate previous domination, the door is ajar for City to gatecrash the party.

City have lost fewer games this season than Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs.

DEMOLITION

Admittedly, they have drawn more than manager Mark Hughes would have liked, but City’s expensively-assembled squad is now virtually injury-free and ready to flex its muscles.

Paraquay striker Roque Santa Cruz played a vital role in Wednesday’s 5-1 Carling Cup demolition of Scunthorpe and his availability gives Hughes even more options up front.

With Emmanuel Adebayor, Craig Bellamy, Carlos Tevez and the soon-to-return Robinho also at his disposal, Hughes must be the envy of other Premier League managers.

If he can instill the belief that City have what it takes to mount a serious title challenge, then the rest had better watch out because each of the other contenders have problems.

Chelsea will lose key players to the African Nations Cup, Arsenal’s young team may need more time before reaching their peak and Manchester United’s lack of a cutting edge without Cristiano Ronaldo was all too apparent at Anfield last Sunday.

Liverpool and Spurs have also displayed a soft centre at times, so the opportunity is there for City if only they can find the confidence to grab it.

Bearing that in mind, it was disappointing that the Sky Blues threw away a two-goal lead against Fulham at Eastlands on Sunday.

Victory would have taken them into the top four with a game in hand, but Hughes was quick to stand up for his under-fire defenders.

He said: "We were disappointed to lose the lead to Fulham, but only Chelsea have conceded fewer goals than us and only Chelsea have kept more clean sheets than us.

"I would suggest there is not that much that needs to be put right.”

CAPABLE

If Hughes is correct, then City should be able to kick on in the next few weeks and Sunday’s game at Birmingham City is one they are clearly capable of winning.

The Midlands team are sixth from bottom, but sides managed by rugged Scot Alex McLeish don’t lie down for anyone and Birmingham showed commendable spirit to see off improving Sunderland 2-1 at home last weekend with goals from Liam Ridgewell and James McFadden.

However, City boast better players and much greater strength in depth.

Victory at St Andrews will not come easily, but victory is what is needed if Hughes and his team want to be taken seriously as credible title challengers.