It’s quite simple for Roberto Mancini this season. He needs to win the Premier League – or at least make a very strong attempt to do so.
At the beginning of the season, that was the target he set for his talented squad, along with the task of making some progress in the Champions League.
The latter aim has fallen down, due in equal measures to a little European naivety and an extremely tough group, but the primary aim is still very much on schedule.
In fact, if anything, the expectation has risen.
Nobody, apart from Mancini and his men, dared to believe that the Blues would set such a remarkable pace in the league.
Last season’s defensive excellence has been augmented by a free-flowing attack, and records have tumbled as the goals have come in torrents.
Sir Alex Ferguson has tried a touch of the mind games, talking about City’s spending and the fact that they are favourites to win the title.
It is all water off a duck’s back to the City players. Any pressure Ferguson or the bookies want to place on them is nothing compared to the burden of anticipation they have placed on their own shoulders.
Mancini has even raised the stakes by suggesting that he wants to win TWO trophies this season, to make it a quantitative improvement on last season’s FA Cup triumph, as well as a qualitative one.
With the Blues well-placed, in the Carling Cup semi-finals, and among the favourites to lift the Europa League title, that is not an unrealistic aim.
The mouth-watering prospect of taking on United in the third round of the FA Cup also means the Blues can strike a blow at their main rivals and make a strong start to their defence of the trophy.
The owners are not shrill in their demands, and have embraced the fact that football carries with it a need for realism and sober assessment of setbacks which they do not face in any other of their business and political interests. But they want to see evidence that their huge investment is paying off in terms of improvement, year on year.
Winning the title would do so, but maintaining a serious challenge, coming close and picking up some form of silverware, might also suffice.
And the supporters? Most City fans are simply revelling in the beautiful football, the Destruction Derby and the feeling of being a major force in English football.
Doubts have begun to arise in the last three weeks, as City have been reeled in by a United side who, we are constantly told, are always stronger in the second half of the season.
The statistics don’t back up that accepted “wisdom”, and there is also the fact that City still have some slack in terms of improvement themselves.
The expert predictions that United will now power on, and City will fall by the wayside, don’t take into account the reality of the mentality which Mancini has imbued in his players. They were devastated by the goallessdraw at West Brom and the shock 1-0 defeat at Sunderland, and by the fact that their performances had fallen below
standard.
But such dismay is a strength of this City squad. It is not the kind of upset which can send a team into a downward spiral of ebbing confidence and doubt, but rather the type which girds the loins and provokes the need to hit back hard.
Mancini has pinpointed January as a key month, with so many huge games in a short space of time, and the departure of the Toure brothers to the African Nations Cup.
His assessment that City can win whatever they are still fighting for when the two Ivorians return is a fair one, as long as they do not suffer too many injuries to key players.
The beauty of this current City squad is that just about all of the players believes they can get better – and it’s fair to believe that.
The obvious players who are not operating at full capacity are Sergio Aguero and Samir Nasri.
That may sound churlish in the case of Aguero, as he has already scored 15 goals in his first 24 games in England, a phenomenal strike rate. But this is a player, still 23 years old, with enormous potential and who could make an impact on the same scale as his father-in-law Diego Maradona.
Nasri has hardly been a flop – indeed, at times he has been brilliant – but is still seeking the consistency and trying to alter his own rhythm of play to fit with that of his new team. When that happens, his inter-play with David Silva, Yaya Toure, Aguero and Mario Balotelli is a frightening prospect.
Strangely, Silva has undergone a dip in form, so that in recent games he has only been good or very good, rather than his personal standard of out-of-this-world. But class is permanent, and that is no cause for concern.
Perhaps there are peripheral players, like Aleks Kolarov and Stefan Savic, who will need to start stepping up, while Nigel de Jong will need to swallow his hurt at not being involved and once again revel in being a key player during Yaya’s absence.
There is no doubt that Mancini would like at least one, maybe two, new players in the transfer window.
But he is a pragmatist and fully realises that the level of spending at City has had to be curtailed.
If Carlos Tevez can be off-loaded, along with Wayne Bridge and Nedum Onuoha, with the possibility of one or two peripheral players like Ryan McGivern for good measure – Mancini could yet get a few bob to spend.
He has dismissed talk about Italy midfield star Daniele de Rossi, but as long as the Roma ace fails to sign a new deal, the rumour will persist. He would be a huge addition to the squad, but whether he could acclimatise quickly enough to make a difference this season is another matter.
In terms of tactics, Mancini has his team playing great football, but he needs to ensure that they maintain the levels of concentration and sharpness needed when faced with defensive, dogged sides like West Brom.
Other than that, the gaffer simply needs to manage expectations and keep his team focused, and his triumphs and setbacks in perspective.
Yaya Toure – Mancini has placed emphasis on Yaya’s absence at the African Nations Cup as a key point in the season.
If the Blues come through those three to four weeks unscathed, they can certainly go on to win the title and make headway in other competitions.
Yaya plays more football than any other outfield player at City, and with good reason.
He keeps the ball moving quickly and with purpose, he can dictate the pace of play and step it up himself with a trademark powerful burst forward.
He also bags important goals, as well as imposing his considerable presence in midfield. MuEN
Manchester City look set to miss out on the signing of midfielder Daniele De Rossi, as the 28-year-old is set to agree a five-year contract extension at Roma. talkShit
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Sunderland midfielder Kieran Richardson has emerged as a shock target for Arsenal, with the 27-year-old believed to be keen on a move to the capital. Daily Mirror
The Gunners have been alerted to the availability of Lyon full-back Aly Cissokho after Arsene Wenger confirmed his intention to recruit defensive cover. Manchester City's out-of-favour left-back Wayne Bridge is not expected to join them because of previous injury concerns and his £90,000 weekly wage. Metro
Manchester United are monitoring CSKA Moscow's 21-year-old Russian international midfielder Alan Dzagoev, who has been dauntingly likened in playing style to Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi. Caughtoffside
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is pondering an £8m move for giant Blackburn defender Chris Samba. Daily Mirror
Another Blackburn player, midfielder Steven N'Zonzi, has emerged as a shock target for Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas as the Stamford Bridge boss searches for a physical presence in midfield. Metro
Yet another Blackburn player being targeted is winger Junior Hoilett - and Stoke are prepared to offload winger Jermaine Pennant as they step up their attempts to sign Hoilett, who is valued at £8m. Daily Mail
Aston Villa could be set to sign Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane on a similar loan deal to that which Thierry Henry has agreed at Arsenal. The Los Angeles Galaxy striker would need clearance from both his club and Major League Soccer. Daily Mirror
Manchester United are eyeing a £25m-plus-player offer for Lille attacker Eden Hazard, who is also a target for Arsenal. Caughtoffside
Everton are the latest side to be linked with a move for Huddersfield Town's highly rated striker Jordan Rhodes. The youngster, who has scored 21 goals so far this season, has already been the subject of an approach by West Ham. Daily Mirror
Bolton could turn to League Two side Crawley in their search for Gary Cahill's possible replacement. The Trotters are considering a £1m bid for centre-back Kyle McFadzean to replace Cahill, who is wanted by Chelsea. the Sun
Arsenal and Chelsea are both interested in 17-year-old Crewe forward Nick Powell, a 6ft 1ins England youth international. Daily Mirror
Japan striker Tadanari Lee, who scored the winning goal in last year's Asian Cup final against Australia in Doha, could be joining Southampton after agreeing terms with the Championship side, according to reports in Japan. Saints must now obtain a work permit for the 26-year-old. Nikkan Sports newspaper
Rangers are hopeful that former striker Nacho Novo, who has been training with the club over the Christmas period, will return to Ibrox from Sporting Gijon. Daily Record
West Brom manager Roy Hodgson admits he is interested in Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic but does not think his club "is at the top of the list of candidates". Daily Record
Honduran club Motagua claim a Rangers representative is trying to finalise negotiations to sign striker Jerry Bengtson and midfielder Jorge Claros.Sun
Rangers operations executive Ali Russell is keen for the club to sign Honduras internationals Jerry Bengtson and Jorge Claros, but manager Ally McCoist has yet to be convinced either would cut it in the Scottish Premier League. Daily Record
Young Boys full-back Scott Sutter has his heart set on joining Rangers, the club he supported as a boy in Hertfordshire, on loan despite interest from a German top-flight outfit and two from the English Championship. Sun
West Brom manager Roy Hodgson is not interested in allowing Scotland midfielder Graham Dorrans join Rangers, despite Ibrox manager Ally McCoist expressing an interest. Daily Record
Norwegian midfielder Thomas Bendiksen says he delayed signing a new contract with Rangers because of an offer from Tromso and will choose the club that can offer him more first-team football. Sun
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney was fined £250,000 and dropped from the defeat against Blackburn following a night out with his wife Coleen and team-mates Darron Gibson and Jonny Evans. Daily Mail/various
Doncaster Rovers striker Billy Sharp, who has scored 10 goals this season, has said he is ready to leave the Keepmoat Stadium but only for the right club. Daily Mirror
Aston Villa are interested in making a move for Steven Pienaar, who has struggled to get games for Spurs this season. They will face competition for the midfielder's signature from Everton and Sunderland. Daily Mail
Juventus are chasing the signature of Chelsea defender Alex, who is thought to prefer a return to Santos, after being told he can leave Stamford Bridge. talkShit
Or Alex is keen on a move to Queens Park Rangers and will hold talks with the club on Tuesday. Daily Mail
Juventus are now leading the race to sign Liverpool target Gaston Ramirez. The Italian giants are said to have already made a bid for the attacking midfielder, who currently plays for Bologna. Footybunker
West Ham are keen to take versatile Tottenham defender Vedran Corluka on loan for the remainder of the season. The Sun
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has opened the bidding for Bristol City striker Nicky Maynard with a £1m offer but it will not be enough to secure his signature. Daily Mirror
Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas reportedly said nothing to midfielder Frank Lampard, who scored the winning goal at Wolves, either after the match or on the coach home. The Sun
The Daily Mail report that Joey Barton is likely to face an FA charge for accusing Bradley Johnson of 'conning' the officials after he was sent-off on Monday. Daily Mail
Former England manager Steve McClaren could be set for a return to FC Twente, the team he led to the Dutch title in 2010. Les Rosbifs
Spurs playmaker Rafael van der Vaart has dismissed any speculation about his future, saying that "nobody wants to leave Spurs now". Daily Mirror
Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea insists he can "equal or even surpass" Edwin van der Sar's achievements at the club, despite a series of errors at the start of his career at Old Trafford. Daily Star
Federico Macheda agreed to join QPR on loan on the advice of his Manchester United team-mate Rio Ferdinand, whose brother Anton plays for the club. Metro
Thierry Henry may not have formally completed his loan move to Arsenal but a photograph of him in his kit somehow appeared on the club's official website. Metro
Bradley Johnson has had his say on the Joey Barton red card row - after a picture emerged on Twitter of him at the World Darts Championship final at Alexandra Palace holding up a sign reading: "Barton your breath stinks". Daily Mirror
