Sorry, I can't start a post, but here's a thought. Anyone agree?
City have a tough start to the new season with away visits to Spurs and Sunderland sandwiching a home game against Liverpool, before the easier looking visit of Blackburn and away trip to Wigan.
I just wonder if City's most dangerous early game is, in fact, against Steve Bruce's side. We all know that Spurs are one of City's bogey sides and Liverpool can never be written off, but Bruce will have had the benefit of starting the season with a more or less settled starting eleven. It was sad to hear that the goalkeeper, Gordon, has broken his arm in training, as he had a great game against us last season but Darren Bent, for instance, will be anxious to show what he can really do. Also, I believe that the likes of Malbranque, Richardson and Cattermole will relish the opportunity to pit their wits against City's expensive side.
Sunderland's opening fixtures are against B'ham (h), WBA (a), City (h), Wigan (a). Steve Bruce will be saying to his team we can realistically open the season with four wins out of four. It's always tricky going to the Stadium of Light and winning and although he will view the City match as the toughest he will instil belief in his team to pull off a surprise so early in the season. Mancini may view the Sunderland game as the easier of the openers but I'm not so sure. This is where the managers will earn their money; urging the players to take no games for granted and insisting that these are the matches they must win if they are to be serious contenders for the title.
