Raised expectations

Whilst three consecutive victories in the league (plus the Middlesbrough FA Cup victory) since Roberto Mancini took the helm has seen us rise up the Premier League table, the impact the Italian has had has also seen an equally important rise in the expectation and belief around the club.

The victory over Blackburn has seen Nigel de Jong come out and state that the Premier League title is a possibility:

"Of course the title is a possibility. Nothing is impossible. Though nothing is impossible, you have to work for it. You have to be realistic as well and remember this is only season No.1 for us after the big spending and we have to take it step by step.

"That's what it's all about at City at the moment, to try and make a difference between the past and the future. Right now you can see what's happening. Everyone is excited. It was a good performance against Blackburn and we've got to keep that going.

"Of course we can stay in the top four. You see how big the squad is. It's not only the first 11 but the 22 players in the squad. The important thing is the Champions League place and trying to continue in that position. Then, we will see in March and April where we are standing."

Under Mark Hughes, fourth spot was the hope (with the top six of course the pre-season requirement), seen as an outside chance but our early form saw expectations ramped up before our slide with seven consecutive draws. Now, whilst no-one has taken fourth spot for granted, the bar has been raised by Mancini's arrival and his hot start.

The so-called 'easy start' is a much debated topic in recent days, and whilst the Premier League doesn't throw up too many games that are a given, Mancini's early fixtures in the league right through to the time we have back to back games at the end of February against Liverpool and Chelsea are ones that any manager would be happy to open up their time in charge with.A strong run until then could see us with a nice cushion in the Champions League positions with a dozen games remaining, and by far the highest Premier League position we would hold so late into the season.

Think the Premier League is an attainable target though? It will be a huge task. The previous five seasons shows the average number of points to win the Premier League is 90 (a high of 95 and a low of 87).

Although we are on course for fourth spot in terms of points gained so far, history shows how hard it is to win the title. However, the 2009/10 season to date has been one marked by the 'big four' stuttering, and Chelsea who currently hold top spot have 45 points from 20 games and are on pace for 85 points through a full season. Whilst the club had always preached patience with Mark Hughes and the build-slowly approach the very fact that the 'big four' have struggled so much led to Hughes being canned, given that this season was not an opportunity that ADUG felt they could run the risk of slipping by.

Whilst de Jong was engaging in a spot of cheerleading, he did qualify his comments by stating that we should get through to March and April before reflecting further and for all the talk of challenging for the title being exciting and stirring up the support, there is also plenty of views tempering such talk.

However, there is no doubt that Mancini's arrival has really invigorated and raised the belief of a squad that on reflection was perhaps meandering a little under Mark Hughes. Whilst we may be basking in the glow of a honeymoon period for Mancini there does appear to be a real sense of purpose around the side now, and for someone who was always resistant to the idea of replacing Hughes, the move is one that is undoubtedly paying dividends.

de Jong - 'It's on us'

"I would love to give you a reason - if I could give you the reason, we would win all of our games," he said. Maybe there is a lack of confidence in some situations. We try to keep our confidence high, especially when we play at home. We are frustrated but have to continue to build for the future, and these kinds of games are always hard to play.

"There are a few factors, but we have to give more in every line of our game - midfield, defence and attack. It's a team thing and we have to work harder and harder to get where we want to be.

"It was disappointing to play at home again and to concede in the 80th minute. It was also the seventh draw, so we don't get any closer to the top four. Now it is up to us to take it on the chin and come out fighting on Wednesday."

>>Nigel de Jong.

Shades of Makelele from de Jong

In the modern game, the role of the defensive - or holding - midfielder has taken on increasing importance. So much so that the architect of this position, Claude Makele, has even lent his name to the role.

Given the attacking options in our line-up at present, having a dominating player in this position is crucial to our success and what has been evident is that both Gelson and Didi Hamman may not quite be up to the task.

Although question marks were raised over the fee paid for Nigel de Jong, quality at this position is at a premium and given the graphic below from The Guardian, his impressive debut may be an indication that we have found a long term solution for this role.

The chalkboards are a new feature offered up by The Guardian and will hopefully be something that I'll use regularly over the coming months whenever there is something of interest that can be picked out.

de Jong named in Holland squad

CITY new boy Nigel de Jong is in the 25-man provisional Holland squad named by national coach Bert van Marwijk for the friendly away to Tunisia on February 11.

Midfielder De Jong, who left Hamburg to sign for Mark Hughes' side earlier this month, will be one of five Premier League players in the squad alongside Liverpool duo Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel, Blackburn defender Andre Ooijer and Arsenal forward Robin van Persie.

>>MEN.

de Jong signing confirmed

Manchester City have completed the signing of Nigel de Jong on a four-and-a-half year contract.

The Dutch international had been in talks with City recently after they agreed a fee with Hamburg on Monday for his services.

De Jong becomes City's third signing of the winter transfer window following the arrivals of Wayne Bridge and Craig Bellamy.

The fee for the 24-year-old former Ajax midfielder, who has won 29 caps for his county, remains undisclosed.

>>Sky Sports

Again, confirmation of news we all expected and a good addition to the side I would say, adding much needed depth in that area and also allowing the option for Vincent Kompany to move back into central defence.

Hamburg manager Martin Jol has likened de Jong to Michael Carrick, and it also possible that both Kompany and de Jong can form a midfield partnership - although a definite 4-5-1 would have to be operated.

One issue regarding the signing though is the report of the £1.5 million release fee which would have come into being this summer. If this is the case, are we crying out so badly for de Jong (or this position) to offer around £15 million more just to secure him for half a season?

UPDATE 20:53 - Some comments from de Jong:

“I feel very good and for me it is the next step in my own career after three years in Germany and I hope to be successful here at Manchester City.

“The ideas and the planning behind this Club are very hopeful and it’s a new adventure so I’m delighted to be here right now.”

“The Stadium looks great and I think it can only be better when it’s full of people.

“I’m looking forward to playing here and everybody knows that the Premier League is maybe the biggest competition in the world.”

de Jong bid accepted

Hamburg have agreed to sell their Dutch international midfielder Nigel de Jong to Manchester City and have said that the decision now rests with the player agreeing personal terms with City.

"The two clubs have reached agreement," the Hamburg spokesman Jörn Wolf said today. "Now de Jong has to agree with Manchester City."

Wolf would not disclose any further details but the German media have speculated that Manchester City may be willing to pay as much as €20m (£18.15m) for the 24-year-old player.

>>guardian.co.uk

What is interesting regarding any bid we have made is that the BBC are reporting that he has a clause in his contract that allows him to move from the club this summer for a fee of just £1.5 million.

Although the amount we are paying is in a sense no longer relevant, if it is true we are paying around £15 million extra just to secure him in January is maybe a sign that Hughes feels he really does need a strong second half of the season, and de Jong will be integral to that.

Bid confirmed for de Jong

Slightly lost amidst the talk of Kaka's potential arrival, but confirmation from the Mail that we have actually lodged a bid for Nigel de Jong:

Hamburg have confirmed that Manchester City have made an approach for Holland international midfielder Nigel de Jong.

In an interview with the Hamburger Abendblatt newspaper, the German club's director of sport Dietmar Beiersdorfer admitted that City have made an offer for the former Ajax man.

de Jong himself appears to be receptive to the possibility of the move, saying:

'Everybody knows that I would like to play for a big club eventually, I count Manchester City in that category,' said the Dutchman.

'I will take my time and listen to everything and then I will make the right decision for me. But I am a Hamburg player and it could be that I remain so.'

This would be a good signing, and of course would address areas where we are currently lacking most - both in the defensive midfield area and of course at the heart of the defence assuming Vincent Kompany would step back into that position.

Perhaps the frustration of the past ten days lack of activity could be coming to an end?