With so few games and such a big squad, we'll have the media picking away at our disgruntled stars come January, as Mancini will likely field a similar league side each weekend. He may have to sacrifice the FA Cup and play a 'weakened' side to maintain squad cohesion, knowing one slip up, poor performance, or wrong decision could see us dumped.
To win the greater prize we need to stay strong and remain within striking distance come the end of February. Think we'll be slugging it out come April/May and that the experience gained last year will prove invaluable.
I have been thinking our season is about to 'start' soon, but now don't expect to see us set the heather alight as we did last year. We're a more muscular side now and look conditioned for the attrition of the league.