on here. Okay, it's pre-season and they're either bidding for or linked with virtually everybody but doesn't it look like they're going to be the new big team this season?

The world's most expensive player is asked questions about them.
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The England captain might sign for them.
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They're taking players of the big 4 directly or indirectly.
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They're being seen as serious contenders for the first time.
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I think they will finish top 6.

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Top six is about right I think but the formation they choose will be important.

I think they will stick to 442 and every so often play 433 depending on who they are v etc.

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4 up front every match.

For me, and I am a little bit biased, bit I think at the moment players are signing for City because it's gonna make them mega bucks, there is no way they can accomodate Robinho, Tevez, Santa Cruz, Adebayor, the players surely must know they will hardly get any regular football and because they have 4 big names there, they will inter change them and none of them will be able to get a good partnership with each other.

You can have 4 good players up front, but if you are lacking quality behind them, is it really going to make much of a difference? I don't think so.

Richards and Dunne were amazing 2 seasons ago, Last season they were pants. Who is good enough in Manchester City to stop conceding loads of goals?

You can blame the goal keeper, but really, he is just 1 man guarding a huge net, it is up to the people in front of him to break down anything before it comes to taking a shot on goal.

I can't see anyone in City who are able to do that consistantly.

I think City might finish top half of the table, but will concede a lot of goals. Splashing the kind of money the owner has done he will want instant success and when he doesn't get that, I think he will offload the players next season.

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I think playing with just the two forwards would cause too much annoyance to too many expensive footballers, hence my thinking that a front four would make best use of the players currently at the club. Ireland and Barry would be the logical choice for the midfield, but as you have pointed out Kay, they will have to both support the strikers and cover defensively which is bound to leave them vulnerable to sides counter-attacking. Manchester City have traditionally scored and conceded in great numbers and even if they sign one or more international centre-backs there's nothing to suggest that's going to change. Should be interesting to watch them.