3 Biggest Positives for Manchester City Fans in 2015/16 Season so Far

It’s been a positive start to the new season for Manchester City.

They remain top of the Premier League and are safely through to the Champions League last 16 with plenty to spare. They will be desperate now to top the group, something they have yet to manage, in order to land themselves a potentially easier knockout test. They are also into the quarter-finals of the League Cup, a competition that has opened up nicely.

Given the constant injuries they’ve faced, it’s been a positive first third of the season. The City supporters can be pleased with a number of areas.

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1. Resilience and mentality of the team

City have shown plenty of improvements on last season, but it is perhaps the resilience they have demonstrated that will please their fans the most.

Last-minute goals were once the preserve of the great Manchester United side led by Sir Alex Ferguson. United, during their late-90s-early-2000s period in particular, were famed for their ability to score late in matches. Opponents knew Ferguson’s team would keep going until the end, and psychologically, they would often retreat.

City may not have assumed United’s mantle just yet, but there are definite signs of the same kind of never-say-die mentality appearing in their game. Last-gasp winners against Crystal Palace, Borussia Monchengladbach, Sevilla and Norwich City have already been ensured. The complexion of City’s season would look very different without those crucial goals.

Credit must go to Manuel Pellegrini and his staff for turning around the team’s fortunes. Last season was a disappointment and never really got going, whereas this campaign has been defined by a clear hunger and desire to win silverware.

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2. Patience of the board

Many myths concerning City exist, but it is perhaps the one that suggests their owners and board of directors have a short-term approach that is most inaccurate.

Everything at the Etihad is geared for the future, with the £150 million City Football Academy (CFA) the most striking example. The CFA guarantees the club will have the best academy and first-team training facilities in England for the foreseeable future, and with the expansion of the stadium also set to continue after this summer saw Phase 1 and 2 completed, the long-term future of the club is in good health.

That approach is also apparent in the boardroom. There were no knee-jerk reactions during the summer where Pellegrini’s position was concerned. The Chilean was under pressure after an insipid 2014/15, and most top clubs would probably have pulled the trigger, but Khaldoon Al Mubarak and his fellow directors showed patience and belief in their manager.

It’s paid off. City look settled and, at times, better than ever. Pellegrini has coped with a long list of injuries, yet he has still managed to get his side playing some fast, expansive football, with more flexibility in terms of his tactics now on display.

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3. Improvement of existing players

As well as adding the kind of quality in the summer transfer window that has improved the make-up of the squad, City have also got a number of underperforming stars back to their best.

The most notable example is Vincent Kompany, who spent much of last season struggling for form. This season, though, the Belgian has been right back to his best. His leadership and ability to organise the back four is vital, with his calf muscle problems the only concern for Pellegrini where his captain is concerned.

Fernando, too, has undergone a renaissance, with the poor start to his City career now seemingly behind him. He's looked a far more effective player this season, and his role was key to City's win in Seville—their best Champions League performance to date. 

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City have done a lot right this season, from boardroom level down to the players. Injuries have held them back, but the way they have coped without David Silva and Sergio Aguero for the last seven games has been very encouraging. They look a far better prospect than last season. 

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard_.