It Could Get Worse Before It Gets Better

What a miserable month December has proven to be already for the Blue side of Manchester.

It began so nicely with that 5-1 drubbing of Norwich on December 3^rd.

But then suddenly Villarreal decide to bottle their game with Napoli and destroy what was meant to be a magical night against Bayern, and then Chelsea invite us to the Bridge just to play the most unwelcome host and finally end a phenomenal start to the season.

Well City fans…. It could get a lot worse.

The highflying Gunners, who six weeks ago Mancini’s side would have breezed past, now represent a real threat to bringing down the great walls of the Etihad fortress.

Troy didn't fall to one army, but it looks like the rest of the Greeks are coming to try and tear down City's glory this January.  

Stoke’s visit to Manchester on December 21^st brings another difficult challenge as the Potters look to be in giant killing mood this season.

Although their away form hasn’t been able to cut the mustard, Chelsea, United, Liverpool and Tottenham have all failed to win at the Britannia Stadium so far this year and Pulis’ men are starting to strike fear into the hearts of the top six.

While the next two games of West Brom and Sunderland should bring maximum points back to the Etihad, City’s second game of the New Year sees Liverpool come across the M62 and into the Sheik’s backyard.

An FA Cup tie with the old enemy (for all those living under a rock that’s United) and a League Cup encounter with Liverpool are also in store for City inside the opening 11 days of January, before Tottenham and Liverpool once again, see City stumble into February gasping for air.

If you thought the title chase was close now, imagine what it could look like after those two months.

I said a while back that Christmas time could set up City for the remainder of the season.

I now think that was an understatement.  With a Europa League campaign to be prepared for during this hectic schedule, the next month and a half could make or break Mancini’s year.

The Italian, who has begun to carve his name into the history books of such a illustrious club, could be staring only one trophy come the end of 2012’s opening month, and United, Tottenham, and others could all have fought their way ahead of City, and a game of catch-up could be in order for the final 3 and a half months of the season.

It could all stay the course, and the Blue side of Manchester could be looking at a FA Cup run, a League Cup final, the Europa League knockout phase, and a lead in the Premiership, but at what cost.  The squad could be drained, injuries could break the harmony and set-up of a side and even worse…… CARLOS TEVEZ COULD RETURN TO MANCHESTER.

It’s a massive period for City, maybe their most important yet.

Lets just hope that the man in the blue and white scarf can guide his men through, what looks like the perfect storm, and into the calmer waters of February.

 Oliver Wilson

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