EPL: 5 Things Manchester City Must Do in Order to Secure the Title

It should be a wild finish in the EPL this season, as both Manchester clubs are scraping to be the last club atop the Premier League come season end. 

We're at an interesting point of the season, a time when the top of the league is likely to switch hands several times in the upcoming weeks.  

City barely reclaimed first this weekend with a tie at Stoke.  However, Manchester United plays this Monday and looks to regain their spot.  

Every game is becoming a must-win for both sides. Pressure is mounting to maintain points and not to be the side that falters. 

Here is a look at what Manchester City must do in order to claim the League title this season. 

5. Keep Calm, Carry on

Earlier this week Patrick Veira took a shot at United, claiming that Sir Alex Ferguson wreaked of "desperation" when bringing Paul Scholes back mid-season. 

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Viera states: "Paul Scholes to come back just shows a little bit of weakness in United, because they had to bring a player back who was 37. I think it shows that, in the next few years, it will be really difficult for United to cope with other teams because, with all the respect I have for Scholes, him coming back shows that they don’t have talent in there to replace him. When you see United losing young players like Ravel Morrison and maybe Paul Pogba, they should be really worried because that wouldn’t have happened in the past.'' (canada.com)

 

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Veira's comments sparked backlash from Ferguson and created an unnecessary war of words with United.

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Ferguson's responds: "If you're talking desperation, they were playing a player the other night who refused to go on the pitch and the manager said he'll never play again. He takes a five-month holiday in Argentina. What is that? Could that come under the description 'desperation?' I've got plenty of ammunition, don't worry. They can try."(theguardian) 

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Manchester City and the individuals associated with the club need to focus on one thing only, match fixtures.  It is useless and stupid to provide motivation to the team you are challenging through cheap shots and needless opinions.

City, focus on finding results!

4. Defensive Support

City has been very thin in the back four due to the absence of skipper Vincent Kompany and English international Joleon Lescott.  

Roberto Mancini has been forced to employ speedy fullback Micah Richards in the center of the defense alongside Kolo Toure over the past few matches.  Having Toure and Richards in the center is obviously much weaker than mainstays Kompany and Lescott. However, it also means they are missing out on attacking options from Richards on the right flank.

Pablo Zabaleta has done well with his time on the right. However, he lacks the pace, strength and will to get forward that Richards brings to the side. 

The return of these defenders should bring strength to the side and provide some much-needed rest to Manchester's back four. 

3. Pick out a Cross

Recently, Manchester City's game has been increasingly frustrating to watch.  One of the frustrating aspects of their play is the complete inability to connect on a cross.

Against Chelsea and Stoke City, Manchester City has completely wasted opportunity after opportunity with errant crosses.

A major reason why City is struggling to score is that the are not connecting with crosses into the box.  

City will have to begin to connect with their passes into the box and find a head to create goals and achieve success in their matches.  

With the skill-set on this side,  it is mind-boggling when poor crosses are consistently delivered.  

2. Capitalize on Set Pieces

You would think that due to the level of skill on the City squad that goals would come fast and furious when given an opportunity for a corner or go at goal.  This has also been been lacking in City's game. City is failing to capitalize with selfish play on free kicks and an inability to find a target from the corner flag. 

Manchester City needs to find creative ways to employ success from set pieces.  City needs to make other teams pay for aggressive or defensive play by punishing them for fouls and desperate defensive play.  

A stroke of class from any one of City's seven corners against Stoke could have been the difference between one point or three.

1. Finish!

It is painful to look at the names on the pitch for City and say this next comment: City has completely struggled to score since the Christmas break.  

Having three strikers being in the top 10 of scoring in the EPL this season, and having the terrific supporting players that they do, it is unfathomable that Manchester City cannot find the back of the net. 

Against Stoke, City claimed 67 percent of ball possession, this too has become a recurring theme, completely dominating possession, yet fighting to find results. 

There is absolutely no other way to say it, City need to regain their scoring touch now.  Every game is going to be a challenge. Wasting possession and opportunities on goal will guarantee failure.  

The time is now or never for Manchester City to regain their confidence in front of goal. 

Conclusion

Manchester City are in a scrappy dogfight for the Premier League title.  Manchester United have regained their form, and one can only expect them to play well and continue to win.

City is in control of their destiny. If they continue to win leading up to their home fixture late in the season against United, City may well come away as champions this season. 

Manchester City need to regain their early form and capitalize on opportunities if they are to have a successful season.