Yes, you can buy success...... Manchester United have been doing it for years. They have produced a lot of home-grown talent, but their best players..... the ones who made the difference between being champions and runners up were all bought. Cantona, Rooney and Ronaldo to name but three
But it's not just about flashing money around like there's no tomorrow. It has to be backed up by sound man management, astute tactics and an iron will to win.
Blackburn bought the Premiership title in 1995, but that was when the Premiership was still a new concept and the "big four" hadn't emerged. Jack Walker got in there before the system had evolved into what it is now.
There is no doubt that City have bought very good players and they will be highly motivated. But do they have the three most important ingredients:
1. A settled team and a happy dressing room
2. A sound tactical pattern
3. Mental toughness
The first is something they obviously don't have. Yet. These guys haven't been together for five minutes yet and although it is possible they could all "gel", the odds are against it.
The tactical pattern is down to Mark Hughes. He has to get all the parts in the machine working his way.... and that could mean playing some pretty big egos in positions they don't want to be in. A manager is always a hostage to his players moods and if he upsets any of these guys and "loses" the dressing room, then he's toast. But if he can keep them happy and get them clicking, then they will be a very formidable outfit. Just think how motivated Tevez is to get one over on Ferguson..... If Hughes can tap into that....? Interesting.
Mental toughness will be put to the test. If City get off to a good start, they will soon start to come under pressure from the big clubs. If the big clubs perceive City to be a threat to the status quo, they will get after them big time. City have to be up to that challenge. are they mentally strong enough...?
Success...? Well, I would think a trophy at the very least, but a Champions League place for 2010/11 would be preferable. The Carling Cup is the very, very minimum, but the FA Cup would be better. If they can get that, and a Champions League place too, then I think City's backers would be happy with that as a first season return.
The trouble then, would be that they would be expected to do better the following season, and that means a serious Premiership challenge and a place in the later stages of the Champions League.
I don't think Mark Hughes is going to get much sleep between August and May.
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