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FIVE THINGS CITY FANS CAN EXPECT THIS SEASON

After completing the double in his first season in charge at Manchester City, the 2014/15 season ended trophy-less for Manuel Pellegrini, with Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea romping away with the Premier League title. Lacklustre performances and inconsistent form left fans questioning the tactical aptitude of the Chilean and the commitment and desire of the players.

A multitude of factors all played their part: an ageing squad, injuries, a below-par defence and conflicting tactics didn’t help their cause. An inability to a) deliver a decent corner into the box and b) score from one didn’t go unnoticed. Unexpected points dropped against inferior opposition meant no gold badges on the shirt this season. With rumours circling that Pep has already agreed to take over at the Etihad next season, surely Pellegrini will be looking to end his tenure on a high?

Most people know to expect the unexpected as far as City are concerned, but here are five things the sky blue contingency can look forward to this season.

1)      Magic in Midfield

City already had a plethora of talent in the middle of the park, but all eyes will be on £49 million record signing Raheem Sterling. He has already impressed during pre season, forging a promising understanding with Spanish magician David Silva, scoring and assisting. Question marks hover over how much £8 million man Fabian Delph will feature after his indecisive move from Aston Villa, but he is a useful addition, adding to the English quota and providing more strength in depth.

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Although the final day didn’t quite encompass the unequivocal drama experienced two seasons ago, when Martin Atkinson blew his whistle to signal full time, the outpouring of emotion at the Etihad Stadium was parallel to that witnessed on that special day. Thousands took to the pitch in euphoric glee. Grown men swept their children up and raced towards the turf, couples held hands, helping each other over the electronic advertising boards and groups of friends held aloft triumphant signs. Complete strangers embraced on the turf, delighting in unbridled joy. It had happened again.

Their team, my team, Manchester City, had just been crowned Premier League Champions for the second time in three years. It’s a feat the fans of this club can never get used to. Based on the evidence witnessed so far, there’s certainly a justification for such occasions to become the norm.

The club started the season with a new manager- 60 year old Chilean, Manuel Pellegrini. Having had success in Argentina, spells in La Liga at Villarreal, Real Madrid and Malaga had ended trophy-less. The previous season ended in disappointment for the Blues: beaten by Wigan 1-0 in the FA Cup final, manager Roberto Mancini left by ‘mutual’ agreement amongst a cloud of negativity surrounding dressing room unrest rumours. It was hoped Pellegrini would bring a more ‘holistic’ style to the dressing room. Nobody quite knew at the time what defined holistic: but if holistic is in fact defined by winning two trophies in your debut season in a new league, he most certainly delivered.

There had been no denying the quality that City had possessed through the season. After a shaky start, with away defeats at Cardiff and Villa, and a calamity mix-up at Stamford Bridge between Joe Hart and Matija Nastasic that gifted Chelsea three points, City really turned on the charm. Big scoring wins against Spurs, Norwich and United impressed and a 6-3 victory over fellow title challengers Arsenal left pundits and critics alike purring. Teams began to look intimidated, often fearful, when it came to playing against City. The football on display: inventive, inquisitive, imploring and incisive, was a delight to behold.