Manchester City
City's rookie boss Stuart Pearce
The blue side of Manchester has had little to smile about but Psycho Pearce is beginning to give new hope.
For much of the 90s, the famously loyal Manchester City supporters endured fraught times, seeing their club relegated six times in seven years, including a drop down to the second division.
But the club have achieved stability in recent years.
Some credit must go the much-berated Kevin Keegan, who, as manager took the club to the Premier League in 2001/02 and managed to retain top division status against the odds.
In 2005, Keegan was replaced by another heart-on-sleeve manager, Stuart Pearce, who has brought a greater sense of resolve to the entire squad.
Oasis members Liam and Noel Gallagher are famous fans of the Sky Blues and you might say that some of the band's tunes are synonymous with the club's personality through the years – but more Definitely Maybe than Masterplan.
Facts
Formed: 1894
Home: City of Manchester Stadium, capacity 48,500
Nickname: City
Pedigree
League Champions: 2 - 1937, 1968
FA Cup winners: 4 – 1904, 1934, 1956, 1969
League Cup Winners: 2 – 1970, 1976
Cup Winner's Cup: 1 – 1970
Community Shield: 3 – 1937, 1968, 1972
People
Chairman: John Wardle
Chief Executive: Alistair Mackintosh
Head Coach: Stuart Pearce
Assistant Coach: Steve Wigley
Team Captain: Richard Dunne
Last season
Premiership: 15th – P38 W13 D4 L21 F43 A48 GD-5 PTS 43
FA Cup: quarter-finalists
League Cup: second round
Major summer ins
Bernado Corradi – from Valencia - undisclosed
Dietmar Hamann – from Bolton – Free
Ousmane Dabo – from Lazio -Free
Paul Dickov – from Blackburn Rovers - Free
Joe Hart – from Shrewsbury Town -£600,000
Hatem Trabelsi - from Ajax - free
Andreas Isaksson - from Rennes - £2 million
DaMarcus Beasley - from PSV Eindhoven – loan
Major summer outs
Kiki Musampa – to Atletico Madrid – Loan return
Albert Riera – to Espanyol – Loan return
David Sommeil – to Sheffield United – Free
Bradley Wright-Phillips –to Southampton – Undisclosed
Lee Croft - to Norwich - £600,000
Andrew Cole - to Portsmouth - undisclosed
Antoine Sibierski - to Newcastle - undisclosed
Unheralded stars
Richard Dunne or Joey Barton
While disciplinary problems once threatened to blight the career of the 26-year-old Republic of Ireland player Richard Dunne, the muscular centre-back has matured so successfully that he has recently been installed as the new club captain.
Earlier in his career he might have been more frequently referred to as the Honeymonster, not because of his penchant for a sugar-coated cereal but because of his similar size to the honey fanatic.
However, the nickname 'Dunninho' looks likely to be increasing used. For a big man Dunne possesses excellent control, which, allied to natural aggression and a surprising turn of pace, (he allegedly holds the 100m record at former club Everton) make for a formidable combination.
Cliche-detesting coach Stuart Pearce believes that giving Dunne the captain's armband will "take him onto the next level".
For Barton, the 23-year-old former England under-21 starlet's erroneous ways have also jeopardised the full blossoming of his undeniable talent, with a series of off-pitch clashes indicative of a troubled personality.
Barton hit the news most prominently in Dec 2004 after stubbing a lit cigar into the eye of young team mate player Jamie Tandy.
But having just signed a new four-year contract at the club and with Pearce praising his new-found focus, prospects look bright for the tenacious Huyton-born talent.
Starlet
Micah Richards
Having been courted by a host of Premiership clubs on the back of just a few Premiership starts before signing a four-year contract in July, this 18-year-old defender looks like he possesses most of the faculties to get to the top.
Richards came to prominence in January this year, scoring a late equaliser in an FA Cup fifth round tie against Aston Villa. Booked for jumping into the crowd as part of his goal-scoring celebration and then swearing in his first live TV interview, he nonetheless looks to have a natural exuberance for the big occasion, a quality which separates the potentially magnificent from the mundane.
The Manchester City academy product is also headstrong; though technically proficient enough to play in a variety of positions in defence and midfield he feels that his best position is centre-back and wants to forge a career in that position.
Allied to an aspirational mentality, (he has already set himself the target of five goals next season), City look to have unravelled a gem.
Predictions
League Position: 14th.
Mid to low table mediocrity beckons even for an improved squad.
Chances of managerial change: Unlikely.
Stuart Pearce is gradually developing the squad with limited funds.
Top Scorer: Georgios Samaras.
Arriving in last season's transfer window from Dutch side Heerenveen for £6 million, the 21-year-old Greek striker made an immediate impact on goal-shy City, scoring five goals before the season's end. Samaras is tall, mobile and has two good feet – he epitomises the multi-functional contemporary striker.
Player most likely to rock the boat: Distin.
Having recently been deposed as club captain by defensive partner Richard Dunne, Sylvain Distin is unlikely to be particularly enamoured with his manager or the club – and an imminent £4 million move to Portsmouth looks possible. Joey Barton is another who could rock Stuart Pearce's boat rather than his world. Despite an improved attitude a history of temperamental displays of behaviour means that a rocky patch cannot be entirely ruled out.
Kieran Mullens.