Everything in place for title bid

The City kit manager and former Latics star writes every week for Chron Sport
AFTER a non-stop pre-season that saw Manchester City play matches in America and Ireland, we are ready for the start of the eagerly-anticipated Barclays Premier League season.

Top-flight new boys Swansea City are the visitors to the Etihad Stadium on Monday night to kick-off what will hopefully be another memorable campaign for the Blues.

The arrival of defenders Gael Clichy and Stefan Savic and striker Sergio Aguero means there is competition for every position in the side, adding to what was already a very strong squad.

First impressions have been good. Clichy is a very nice chap, Savic is a lovely lad and although Aguero cannot communicate in English yet, there are a lot of Spanish speakers in the dressing room who say he is a cracking guy who will fit right in.

I believe everything is in place for a title challenge — in fact with the talent we have here, we should be there or thereabouts in the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup as well.

Yes, we are newcomers to Europe’s biggest club competition but I think we are equipped to deal with the challenges it will inevitably bring.

On a personal note I never dreamed my club would be involved in the Champions League and it is exciting to think we could be visiting the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid this term.

Last year I made no secret of the fact I was not a fan of the Europa League, mainly because it interferes with the schedule so much. Games took place on a Thursday, meaning league matches were shifted to the Sunday.

This time our European fixtures will be on a Tuesday or Wednesday, so the Saturday games can stay as they are, unless they are re-scheduled for television purposes.

On the domestic front I fully expect the top six clubs to be the same as last time. The order might change, but ourselves, United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham are likely to lead the way.

It is hard to see anyone breaking into that half-dozen.

Last season we had the breakthrough, lifting the FA Cup after 35 years without silverware.

There has to be a winning mentality. If we are not challenging in the top two in the league and we do not win a trophy, it has to be viewed as a failure.

We have everything at our disposal to surpass last season and give our fans even more to shout about.


MANCHESTER United still look to be the dominant force in English football after they came from two goals down to beat City in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday.
Okay you should never lose a 2-0 lead, but we were ahead against the run of play and, if you look at the stats, they had about 60-per-cent of the possession.

They also appeared to be a bit sharper than us over the 90 minutes.