Can we call it pogress this season? If we look at our display pre-Xams then proegress was obvious to see - our play, our mentality and tactically we were strong and resolute (with the exception of the CL games).
Post-Xmas - its like watching a different team, and this needs further analysis of why we are scraping games at home, and fooking up away. Yes the loss of Kompany, Lescott and Toure were a big part in our dip in form in 2012. But we needed to be, mentalliy and tactically, more resilient on the pitch than we have been. Being top of the league we are always going to be the scalp everyone want to take.
When you put together the first and second half of the season then it hard to see were progress has been made this year (season), participular if we do not end on a high note. I have been waiting for a reaction from the team for a number of games now, and to be honest I have not seen the specatular form we started the season with. IMO our recent home wins have far from been convincing performances, although I have taken comfort in the players spirt and professional pride in coming back from behind in recent games to get something.
Every team is allowed a dip in form and the odd bad result, but our run has been too long. Where it now getting to the point where it is likely that we have thrown the league away.
So what next? Speculation of the special one's arrivals, rumblings of mancini out and fighting amougst ourselfs does not inspire confidence. Nor for me do Booby Manc's recent team selctions, but what do I know.
I am not saying it is all doom and gloom, although I am the usual city pessimist. But if we lose the leagues and finsh second what will have been the highlights of the season? Given where we are our seasons have to be worth more than beating ushited at the swap and great away days. Yes we had an electric start, and yes at one point we did look barcelona-esc (not as good obviously), but that has been marred with some disappointment in the secound half of the season.
Journo's keep asking the question if the cracks are starting to show? For me they have been showing for a while. We should not be focusing on ushited, but only on our own game, and the next one at that. Then making it count on the pitch, that is where the mind game are won. But let's not get away from the facts: on paper this seasons win/lose ratio of league games this season have been great, and perhaps should be enough to win the league? It does pain me to say it but I do think that the experience Manure have may have just given them the edge required this year. Although i can't help but think that the 1- 6 result and our fantastic form inspired them to go on and over achieve this season.
So to come back to the point, if we don't win the league then I still believe we have made some progress albeit of the pitch. We will have the experience of mounting a realistic challenge in recent time for the league, will have gotten a step closer in building a team that is required to achieve great things and we should be more determined in getting things right next time. but is that enough is the $6,000,000 question.
