As the 2006/07 campaign drew to a stagnant close, there seemed to be very little for Manchester City’s eternally loyal fans to look forward to. That season contained a prolonged flirtation with relegation, the lowest number of home goals scored by a team in the history of the English top flight, and, with the removal of Stuart Pearce, yet another manager failing to bring back the glory days to this once-great club.
However, fast forward to today and an altogether different picture exists. In a season that has so far exceeded the expectations of even the most optimistic of City fans, the team currently sits above Liverpool in 4th position in the Premier League.
Not since Everton in the 2004/2005 season has a club from outside ‘the Big Four’ (bitter local rivals Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool) finished in the Champions League places. However, there seems to be genuine belief that Manchester City can break in to this most elite of groups.
As their Brazilian international star Elano stated recently, "the title (this season) is too early, we want to do things by stages, and do things properly. This year; maybe a Uefa Cup place or Champions League place." In the past comments such as these would have seemed ludicrous. However, for a team performing as well as Manchester City are this season, anything less would be criminally un-ambitious.
The dramatic upturn in fortunes for City in 2007/08 can be linked to the arrival in the summer of the club’s new owner Thaksin Shinawatra, and new manager Sven-Göran Eriksson.
Their introduction led to City’s much needed summer recruitment drive. In to the Manchester City squad came the mercurial talents of Brazilian’s Geovanni and Elano, the sheer pace of Martin Petrov, the Switzerland U-21 captain Gelson Fernandes, new full-backs Javier Garrido and Vedran Ćorluka, plus Serie A hotshots Rolando Bianchi and Valeri Bojinov.
However, it is not only the transfer dealings of Sven-Göran Eriksson that account for the remarkable upturn in fortunes for Manchester City. Youth has also been given a chance by the Swedish manager. Youngsters Michael Johnson and Stephen Ireland have provided added flair and precision to the midfield, whilst the determination and talent of Micah Richards has been exhibited alongside club captain Richard Dunne at the centre of City’s defence. Goalkeeper Joe Hart has also been a revelation since coming in to the side.
This mixture has led the Blues to a home record of nine victories (including the 1-0 win over Manchester United in August) in total so far.
The strength of Manchester City at their Eastlands home was exhibited in dramatic fashion in the recent match against Liverpool. This fixture saw dogged displays from Richard Dunne and Micah Richards provide the platform for a battling 0-0 draw with their Champions League rivals.
However, while City’s home form has been imperious, the same cannot be said of their away showings. Only two victories have been recorded, with City tasting defeat four times on the road. Indeed, the 6-0 humbling received at the hands of Chelsea stands as testament to the challenge that awaits Manchester City as they attempt to break into the upper echelons of the Premier League.
A further reason to reign in City’s top four ambitions can also be seen in the disappointing performance of their strikers so far. In this department of the City squad, Rolando Bianchi leads the way with only 5 goals scored. Indeed, midfielder and star performer Elano is City’s top scorer with 6 goals. These tallies are simply not high enough for a team determined to compete in the Champions League next season.
Moves to correct this inadequacy have already seen players of the calibre of Mexican Copa América star Nery Castillo joining the club in the January transfer window. Strikers of the repute of Afonso Alves, Dimitar Berbatov and old-boy Nicolas Anelka were also been strongly linked, but with no concrete action yet. If any of these strikers end up being recruited then a serious barrier to City’s attempts to finish inside the Champions League places can be seen to have been removed.
With ambition of the kind shown in City’s transfer plans flowing throughout the club, it is clear to see that this is only the beginning of a remarkable upwards journey for the Blues' long-suffering fans. As Liverpool continue to falter, and with the decimation to the Chelsea squad caused by injuries and call ups to the African Cup of Nations, the door to the Champions League has been left ajar.
UEFA Cup qualification still seems most likely, but with the Blue Moon rising, it is abundantly clear that the City fans can dream of loftier achievements come the season’s end.
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