POLL: Can City win the league this season?

[aaron bond]

More than 3 players getting into the box and creating lots of chances throughout 90mins.
Defenders defending well and keeping clean sheets (and in possession of a very, very lucky goalkeeper).
Manager starting to select a settled team.
3 points off the top of the league in December.

I'm starting to believe :-)

We've got the players, we've got the means, we're getting the mentality. All we need now is the consistency, which we are beginning to show.

I'm going for Arsenal to win the league this season, with us running them close - I hope!

In my opinion, Arsenal don't have a chance to win the league like in every other season. There's nothing to suggest this year that they've improved at all. They don't have any leaders in their side and have lost games that would have had Mancini crucified on here if City had been in that position.

I still think it's between Chelsea and Utd, with us as an outside bet.

We can definitely do it. We have an amazing squad but just need the consistency. Things are definitely looking up after the last few performances.

[Beefymcfc]

More than 3 players getting into the box and creating lots of chances throughout 90mins.
Defenders defending well and keeping clean sheets (and in possession of a very, very lucky goalkeeper).
Manager starting to select a settled team.
3 points off the top of the league in December.

I'm starting to believe :-)

We've got the players, we've got the means, we're getting the mentality. All we need now is the consistency, which we are beginning to show.

I'm going for Arsenal to win the league this season, with us running them close - I hope!

In my opinion, Arsenal don't have a chance to win the league like in every other season. There's nothing to suggest this year that they've improved at all. They don't have any leaders in their side and have lost games that would have had Mancini crucified on here if City had been in that position.

I still think it's between Chelsea and Utd, with us as an outside bet.

We can definitely do it. We have an amazing squad but just need the consistency. Things are definitely looking up after the last few performances.

This is where we disagree mate. I don't think either of the highlighted teams have got enough strength in depth and although Arsenal don't have the greatest squad they do have one thing - any player can step in and play the Arsenal way. The biggest thing against Arsenal is their knack of having a bad month, and if Wenger can keep it together this could be his season.

Saying that, this is the most open season so far and with only 3 points between 1st and 4th (Rags still to play so could be 5) any team could be classed as contenders, including Spurs who have a good squad but who are currently suffering from injuries.

[aaron bond]

More than 3 players getting into the box and creating lots of chances throughout 90mins.
Defenders defending well and keeping clean sheets (and in possession of a very, very lucky goalkeeper).
Manager starting to select a settled team.
3 points off the top of the league in December.

I'm starting to believe :-)

We've got the players, we've got the means, we're getting the mentality. All we need now is the consistency, which we are beginning to show.

I'm going for Arsenal to win the league this season, with us running them close - I hope!

In my opinion, Arsenal don't have a chance to win the league like in every other season. There's nothing to suggest this year that they've improved at all. They don't have any leaders in their side and have lost games that would have had Mancini crucified on here if City had been in that position.

I still think it's between Chelsea and Utd, with us as an outside bet.

We can definitely do it. We have an amazing squad but just need the consistency. Things are definitely looking up after the last few performances.

This is where we disagree mate. I don't think either of the highlighted teams have got enough strength in depth and although Arsenal don't have the greatest squad they do have one thing - any player can step in and play the Arsenal way. The biggest thing against Arsenal is their knack of having a bad month, and if Wenger can keep it together this could be his season.

Saying that, this is the most open season so far and with only 3 points between 1st and 4th (Rags still to play so could be 5) any team could be classed as contenders, including Spurs who have a good squad but who are currently suffering from injuries.

You are completely right about the strength in depth of Chelsea/Utd. They just don't have it. I just don't think Arsenal's way of playing is good enough. Yes, they play some great football and have some talented players, but I don't think think what they bring to the table is good enough. If you look back at the Chelsea and Utd sides who have won the leagues in the past 10 years, they have been clinical, deadly sides - that is something Arsenal are not. When they come up against another good side, they generally lose. I'm 99.9% certain if Boyata hadn't of been sent off against them, we would have won quite comfortably.

This season will be close though. The difference in class between the good/bad sides has closed significantly this season. If we can establish a 6-8 point gap over Spurs, I'll feel confident about getting at least 4th. Then I'll (possibly) start believing we can win the league. But that'll take a while after supporting a team who has been shit my whole life :-)

[Beefymcfc]

More than 3 players getting into the box and creating lots of chances throughout 90mins.
Defenders defending well and keeping clean sheets (and in possession of a very, very lucky goalkeeper).
Manager starting to select a settled team.
3 points off the top of the league in December.

I'm starting to believe :-)

We've got the players, we've got the means, we're getting the mentality. All we need now is the consistency, which we are beginning to show.

I'm going for Arsenal to win the league this season, with us running them close - I hope!

In my opinion, Arsenal don't have a chance to win the league like in every other season. There's nothing to suggest this year that they've improved at all. They don't have any leaders in their side and have lost games that would have had Mancini crucified on here if City had been in that position.

I still think it's between Chelsea and Utd, with us as an outside bet.

We can definitely do it. We have an amazing squad but just need the consistency. Things are definitely looking up after the last few performances.

This is where we disagree mate. I don't think either of the highlighted teams have got enough strength in depth and although Arsenal don't have the greatest squad they do have one thing - any player can step in and play the Arsenal way. The biggest thing against Arsenal is their knack of having a bad month, and if Wenger can keep it together this could be his season.

Saying that, this is the most open season so far and with only 3 points between 1st and 4th (Rags still to play so could be 5) any team could be classed as contenders, including Spurs who have a good squad but who are currently suffering from injuries.

You are completely right about the strength in depth of Chelsea/Utd. They just don't have it. I just don't think Arsenal's way of playing is good enough. Yes, they play some great football and have some talented players, but I don't think think what they bring to the table is good enough. If you look back at the Chelsea and Utd sides who have won the leagues in the past 10 years, they have been clinical, deadly sides - that is something Arsenal are not. When they come up against another good side, they generally lose. I'm 99.9% certain if Boyata hadn't of been sent off against them, we would have won quite comfortably.

This season will be close though. The difference in class between the good/bad sides has closed significantly this season. If we can establish a 6-8 point gap over Spurs, I'll feel confident about getting at least 4th. Then I'll (possibly) start believing we can win the league. But that'll take a while after supporting a team who has been shit my whole life :-)

Well, we've got:

West Ham A
Everton H
Newcastle A
Villa A

which are all winnable in my book, especially looking at Everton and Villa's form in respect to usual banana skins. You never know, with the usual top runners having some tough fixures coming up, we could be on top come the turn of the year ;-)

[Fish111]

Voted NO as we don't score enough or finish teams off. Not clinical enough to win the league this year imo. If we were we would be top by now and not hanging onto fourth spot.

[Lev Bronstein]

Well, as Sven would say, weeeellll. Lets say 85 points will do it (who knows, just go with it). We have 29 after 16. so, we need 55 from 22, an average of 2.5 per game. Or to put it another way we can afford to drop 11 points, 3 losses and a draw. And it'll roughly be the same for the rest.

Doesn't seem likely does it?

Weellll, so far, Arsenal have dropped 16, the Seminoles 14, and Chelsea 18. So maybe 80 points will win it. Now the odds are lower, 3 losses and 3 draws would leave us with 80 - now that's a fighting chance.

Oooooo I'm excited and worn a hole in the carpet doing the Poznan.

[Brad]

If we can convert our chances then i don't see why not, weve shown some great football already this season, so aslong as were up there come the end of the season then we have just as good as a chance as anybody else, COME ON CITY!!

[Swales4ever]

I voted NOT, this year.
Because of what already posted.

viewtopic.php?f=119&t=35819&p=231718#p231718

Some very unlucky results - like the Stoke draw (fair but unlucky) , Brum H, Blackburn H and Sunderland A, might result deciding and even more bitter on may, though...

[Fesan]

Can? Yes:-)

Will, no:-(

Then again I'll be happy for fourth (progression and a big step for our club) and really happy for third.

[Swales4ever]

Can? Yes:-)

Will, no:-(

Then again I'll be happy for fourth (progression and a big step for our club) and really happy for third.

I am not preparred to accept anything less then 3rd, especcially considering where we are sat now.
This is huge because it shall influence the preseason which, next year, must be perfect. You know, I put my house on the title next year... :-)


Side note: the fact the Seminoles are currently on top of the bookies list show how fucking important is to have superior waves from the press. No chance that bunch of teared granddads might actually run on top until may, imo.

[dazby]

I think the league would be easier to win this season than next. We are in a great situation in the league with a great squad and opposition clubs that are all stumbling at various points of the season. We don't have champions league football to distract us, but a Europa League competition we have experience in.

There's one more window before the new regulations kick in so if we have a pressing need we can buy that player(s.)

So yes we can. Whether we will or not is another question but the ride sure is fun.

[Pretty Boy Lee]

I think the league would be easier to win this season than next. We are in a great situation in the league with a great squad and opposition clubs that are all stumbling at various points of the season. We don't have champions league football to distract us, but a Europa League competition we have experience in.

There's one more window before the new regulations kick in so if we have a pressing need we can buy that player(s.)

So yes we can. Whether we will or not is another question but the ride sure is fun.

Nostra fucking Darmus.

Who's coming strong next year and while your at it can I have the lotto numbers?

[dazby]

Next season the rules begin to kick in. Assuming we make the top 4 we would have the major distraction of the chumps league to contend with which, as Tottingham have shown, can take a lot of steam out of a league campaign.

[ashton287]

Chelsea will pick there season back up.

The scum are on a rise in form but i dont think with there squad they can maintain it.

Arsenal have always been a good team but never quite good enough. But this year they are still a good team and alot of the established teams in the prem are playing worse so its not a question of have they improved enough but has everyone else took a step back leaving them with a better chance but they will probably lose form for 6 weeks somewhere like they usually do.

The mighty blues have 1 goalscorer and i dont think its enough to win the league. Wish it was but its not. Unless balotelli steps up and starts fighting on his feet rather then going down hoping for a free kick that we wont convert then we dont have a chance but 3rd is possible.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

Chelsea will pick there season back up.

The scum are on a rise in form but i dont think with there squad they can maintain it.

Arsenal have always been a good team but never quite good enough. But this year they are still a good team and alot of the established teams in the prem are playing worse so its not a question of have they improved enough but has everyone else took a step back leaving them with a better chance but they will probably lose form for 6 weeks somewhere like they usually do.

The mighty blues have 1 goalscorer and i dont think its enough to win the league. Wish it was but its not. Unless balotelli steps up and starts fighting on his feet rather then going down hoping for a free kick that we wont convert then we dont have a chance but 3rd is possible.

Agreed. Title winning sides need to have four or five match winners, not one.

[lets all have a disco]

Im starting to believe.

[Swales4ever]

Next season the rules begin to kick in. Assuming we make the top 4 we would have the major distraction of the chumps league to contend with which, as Tottingham have shown, can take a lot of steam out of a league campaign.

I see Your point Dazzla, but City doesnt need big purchasing any more.
Should we succeed in acquiring Dzeko and Luiz, in the next 2 windows the roster is more than complete, also considering that next year we hopefully will have a further box-to-box talent in MJ at full service.

Just monitoring top youngsters through the world for the future.

[Swales4ever]

Chelsea will pick there season back up.

The scum are on a rise in form but i dont think with there squad they can maintain it.

Arsenal have always been a good team but never quite good enough. But this year they are still a good team and alot of the established teams in the prem are playing worse so its not a question of have they improved enough but has everyone else took a step back leaving them with a better chance but they will probably lose form for 6 weeks somewhere like they usually do.

The mighty blues have 1 goalscorer and i dont think its enough to win the league. Wish it was but its not. Unless balotelli steps up and starts fighting on his feet rather then going down hoping for a free kick that we wont convert then we dont have a chance but 3rd is possible.

Agreed. Title winning sides need to have four or five match winners, not one.

Carlos, Mario, David, AJ, the 2 attacking FBs, MJ and Dzeko to come...
That's also why I amtalking about next year for the finished product... still a work in progress.

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

We haven't really set the world alight so far and yet there we are, still in the frame. I've been so much happier with the way we have gone about things recently. The Fulham game was excellent and I actually thought we looked pretty good this weekend. We have players who are looking more likely to contribute than they did before in turning games and rather than just Tevez being a match winner, Mario and Silva both look like they can step up to the plate. It's a pity Adebayor looks like he isn't gonna do that for us too, because he has the pedigree and class to come to the fore in some games for us.
Everyone of the title contenders look less formidable than in the past and so if we can continue to improve and as we have done we could quite easily end up going close.
I still worry that when the big moments come Mancini will revert to type and waste the opportunity, but who knows, he might just have seen how effective we can be when we play attacking football rather than shitting it.

[Socrates]

What do you mean revert to type and waste the opportunity? Same as he did when he managed his 3 previous clubs to trophy wins?