They also had Tiago I think, they were a "team" I know that sounds a bit gay but they had the right players in the right places willing to fight and help each other, also a manager who was a master in man management and motivation, helps like United now really as I wouldn't class many of our players as "world class" 3/4 of our defence is and could possibly argue Rooney and Berbatov can be on their day, signing names means fck all as I think EE alluded to earlier it;s about moulding them and getting the right combinations which we're yet to see if Hughes can do.

I agree. That has been my main reservation with City, ignoring their potential buys as they aren't done yet, I have my reservations with Hughes. Compared to the othet Top 4 managers, for me he isn't in their league YET, whether he can get there or not we're about to find out. Judging his signings, he looks like he knows what he's doing, he's not ignored any of City's weaknesses so far, it's just a matter of him commanding the dressing room and getting the best out of the players.

We will see how good of a manager Hughes is this season. You cant judge him and say hes not in the same league as any other manager in the top 4 (this is the firsdt full year he has had with money were the others have had 4-5 year) Dont think hes as good as the other 4 but you can take a proper gauge of hes progress and talent at the end of this season. And then judge him on the top 4

When did he make that clear? If he did he's very sensible although if city sign Lescott and Toure, they'll certainly should be challenging the top 4, even if ultimately they fail.

How much has the Sheik spent so far on Citeh?

I'd bet money that will be our default system. Might be changes in personnel eg Zabaleta for Richards but it will generally be 4-3-3. For some away matches Zabaleta or Kompany might join De Jong as defensive midfielders with Robinho starting on the bench

Robinho scored 14 goals last season in what was clearly a very inconsistent year. His away form was dreadful. Initially that was because City were unable to provide any sevice whatsoever, eventually he became resigned to the situation and just didnt turn up for away matches.

Next season we should be much stronger away from home. We should at least be capable of retaining possession in our opponents half. We will also have more options, meaning that he will not be marked as heavily. Most importantly I think that Barry, playing left of a midfield 3, is probably the ideal player to support Robinho.

If he stays fit he should easily score 20-25 goals.

I cannot be bothered picking out the relevant articles buyt as soon as the 2008/09 season finished, Khaldoon al-Mubarak, our Chairman and representative of Sheikh Mansour, stated that our target was to finish in the top 6. al-Mubarak added that he felt it unreasonable to expect overnight success. This was repeated by Sheikh Mansour a week or so later.

Given your signings though and potential signings then the team you would/could have should be top 4.

Possibly, but its unrealistic to expect so many new players to gel from day one. How many games are our back 4 going to play together before the opening competitive match at Blackburn? When City play Arsenal & Utd in September those teams are going to be miles ahead of us in terms of having established systems, a playing style and an understanding between their players. Its not going to come together overnight.

Micah Richards looking a tad less bulky... www.mcfc.co.uk/Video?play=1 By clicking on the link you can also see our new website. Top notch IMO. The video content is superb. Free of charge too.

Micah Richards looking a tad less bulky... www.mcfc.co.uk/Video?play=1 By clicking on the link you can also see our new website. Top notch IMO. The video content is superb. Free of charge too.

I'd agree with this but I would also like to add that we lack a leader. You need one of those if you want to challenge at the top. Arsenal have been lacking a quality defensive midfielder, and many blame this on them being unable to challenge the other three teams in the 'top 4'. IMO it's as much to do with them lacking a leader

I think Barry can do that job, he did at Villa and was integral part of everything they did.

He has been a captain but IMO he's not a leader as such. Villa fans seem to agree. The leader at Villa was Laursen

Was one year left on his contract I think and wasn't going to sign a new one with us buying Johnson.

Quote ="Enfield Exile"Micah Richards looking a tad less bulky... www.mcfc.co.uk/Video?play=1 By clicking on the link you can also see our new website. Top notch IMO. The video content is superb. Free of charge too.'" Top notch, unless you want ticket information that is. Major schoolboy error!

Quote ="Enfield Exile"Micah Richards looking a tad less bulky... www.mcfc.co.uk/Video?play=1 By clicking on the link you can also see our new website. Top notch IMO. The video content is superb. Free of charge too.'" Top notch, unless you want ticket information that is. Major schoolboy error!

It has become a method of United fans these days to try and deflate our bubble by insisting that we should finish top four, getting us to believe it, with the plan being that they can come back to us when we have finished fifth and tell us we have failed again.

Sorry to disappoint you boys, we are not jumping the gun. Top six this year, top four next year. No matter what anyone says, that squad of ours is not good enough for the top four yet and we are realistic enough to realise that.

With them signing though you really should be top 4.

Arbeloa fee to go to Madrid agreed - official.

Though you are remaining cautious as are other city fans on here do you think that goes for the majority of city fans or do you think the majority will have ridiculous expectations?

I think top 6 is the minimum expectation, but City's side does have the quality to finish in the top 4, or at least in will do by September 1st. I don't think anybody will realistically demand City to finish in the top 4, massive improvement is obviously needed, I'm sure City fans would be pretty happy with a season similar to Aston Villa's last year, where they challenged for the top 4, but I do feel if City get in that position, they'll be able to kick on stay up there.

Alonso next?...

The shop wasn't too great to start with either but there are always teething problems with new sites.

We do have a high quality website with lots of VOD free of charge. The best football website I have visited. I can't believe that City have become 'professional'

very true

Nahhh, la. I don't think they'll pay up, which will be a shame after pursuing him for the best part of two months.