5 Things Learned from Manchester City's 2014/15 Premier League Season

Disappointing. Underwhelming. Lacking excitement. 

There have been many words used to describe Manchester City's 2014/15 season and most of them have tried to capture the reasons why they have regressed. After the highs of Manuel Pellegrini's league and cup double-winning debut season, this one has been a considerable step back, defined by insipid and disjointed performances. 

The regression covered all competitions, too. They have gone from Premier League champions to finishing eight points adrift of Chelsea in the space of 12 months. Their Champions League campaign ended at the same stage as last season but was far less convincing. And they exited both domestic cups in earlier rounds and both times were soundly beaten by lesser teams. 

But what did we learn from the campaign as a whole? Here are five talking points from City's 2014/15 season. 

City Lack Pace

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It's been evident throughout the season that one of their major hindrances has been the lack of pace City possess going forward. 

Sergio Aguero remains as explosive as ever, coming alive in and around the 18-yard box, and Jesus Navas gives them some speed out wide. However, behind those two, who else adds pace and urgency to City going forward? 

With a big summer spend surely in the pipeline if UEFA's Financial Fair Play sanctions are eased and a slew of players look certain to leave, City must use their money wisely and add some pace to the side. A ball-carrier is essential, the kind who can move at speed and offer City an outlet throughout games, taking players on and creating space for others. 

Raheem Sterling, who looks likely to be available, surely ticks all the boxes, if an acceptable price can be arranged. 

Joe Hart Is Back

It wasn't an easy 2013/14 season for Joe Hart. He was dropped for six weeks early on in the campaign having made a series of costly blunders, and his confidence appeared to have taken a knock. 

However, 2014/15 was the season in which he reasserted his quality. He's looked refocused, with his display away at Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League his finest for the club. 

He won the Premier League's Golden Gloves for the fourth time in five years having kept 14 clean sheets and made the save of the season from Federico Fernandez in the recent game with Swansea. 

Hart is now considered to be back among the best 'keepers in the league. 

Vincent Kompany's Form Is a Serious Concern

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Where Hart has proven his worth, the same cannot be said of his captain, Vincent Kompany, who has endured a painful campaign. 

Kompany has been one of the most important players in City's recent history. His brilliance since signing for the club has been undeniable, but the sharp downturn in his form during this campaign has been remarkable. 

Injuries have once again disrupted him, something the club must look to address, but there is more to the situation than simply muscle problems. Kompany has been dreadful and, quite rightly, found himself on the bench for the final two matches of the season, having been dropped for the game with Leicester in March after struggling in a number of matches immediately before the win over the Foxes. 

City need him to return to his previous level of performance. At his best, he's the finest centre-back in the Premier League, a complete defender and leader. The worry now, though, is his decline is terminal. 

City Need to Defend Leads More Effectively

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There are myriad reasons for City's poor season, but one important factor is their inability to hold onto a lead, something which has undermined their capacity to win games with the same regularity they have in the past.

They have lost two-goal leads to Hull City, Burnley, Sunderland, Aston Villa, Swansea and CSKA Moscow, and Pellegrini needs to reinstall their solidity when defending a lead. 

Aguero Remains One of Europe's Best

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One enduring bright spot at City is the brilliance of Aguero, who managed to score 26 league goals, making him the Premier League's Golden Boot winner.

The quality of his finishing was, at times, astonishing. City may have struggled, but their main marksman has further enhanced his credentials. He's arguably the best finisher in the game and certainly the very best striker City have ever had.