No Gray Areas - Man City will hit top four

For the second year running, more column inches were probably filled during the off-season discussing Manchester City than any other club in England. And that wasn't surprising given that every other day they were being linked to another world class player for a transfer fee that resembled some countries' GDP.....

So it's time now to consider just what sort of start they've made to this season.

It's certainly a work in progress but the important thing is they've gradually improved and we're starting to see signs of a team where everyone knows their job and where players are starting to gel.

How they got a draw out of that first match away to Spurs only Joe Hart, who was outstanding that day, will know. But a point they did get. They will however be disappointed about the loss away to Sunderland, where they committed the cardinal sin of losing a match they really should have won by not taking their chances and conceding a late penalty at the other end. That said, Manchester United and Arsenal only got draws at the Stadium of Light this season...

The draw to Blackburn was arguably more of a cause for concern given that they were at home but the goal they conceded came from a very rare individual error from Hart, rather than collectively poor defending.

The important thing is they recovered from those two matches and have now won three on the bounce, with that win over Chelsea by far the most important of the lot. Firstly, because it earned them three points. Secondly, because it denied Chelsea any points. And thirdly because it continued the trend of this City side proving they can handle the pressure and intensity of playing the big guns. Let's not forget this is the team who beat Chelsea home and away last season and won one and drew one against Arsenal.

There has been some criticism in some quarters about the way Roberto Mancini has set his team up in certain matches, the feeling being they were too defensive and too negative, the Spurs and Chelsea games good examples of that. A flat back four, three holding midfielders in Gareth Barry, Nigel de Jong and Yaya Toure, two wingers and just Carlos Tevez up front.

I'm not sure I see too much wrong in that system. Let's not forget Mancini is an Italian manager so it's not surprising he sees a solid defence and protection from the midfield as the basis of his game-plan, and you can look at how few goals they've conceded as evidence that's working. It's also worth remembering that this is a results business and four points from a home tie against Chelsea and an away match at White Hart Lane isn't a bad return by anyone's standards.

Despite the embarrassment of attacking riches at Mancini's disposal that has meant Craig Bellamy was surplus to requirements, Roque Santa Cruz and Emmanuel Adebayor rarely get a game and Robinho was allowed to leave, you're unlikely to see this City team playing particularly dazzling football.

What you will see is an organised, disciplined and hard-working outfit that will rely on moments of inspiration from the likes of Tevez, David Silva and Adam Johnson to win matches. I'd be amazed if they don't finish in the top four this season ([1.39]) and we may even see them put in a proper challenge in terms of going all the way ([9.8]).

Andy Gray is now on Twitter so follow him for his exclusive tips and his take on the biggest stories in football each week.

Published: 4 Oct 2010

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