Manchester City: Make It or Break It Time, City Heads into Their Toughest Month

The next couple weeks will test every aspect of City's game, and could determine the eventual league standings to a certain degree.

Having started well, overcoming the challenges thrown to them by lesser league opposition, it's time to face the real music. 

Amongst the fixtures completed was that of the Champions and city rivals, Manchester United which they made look so easy with a 6-1 thrashing.

No they lead the table with five points and a very healthy goal difference, but for how long?

Current Form

Despite the loss last night in the Champions League, City are in the best possible in the league, having bombarded opposition with no reply.

League Form: Twelve matches played incredibly, 11 won and one drawn, with an excellent goal difference of 31.

City's biggest success has been their defense only conceding 11 goals and scoring 42.

Champions League Form: This is where they have struggled to adapt, facing tough opposition away has been a problem.

Five games played in the UCL, Manchester City are currently third in Group A with a point behind second place Napoli. Having lost two games and drawing one.

League Cup: Looking good, having ousted Wolves in their last encounter with a 5-2 scoreline. Playing an almost second string squad.

Goal Scorers

Getting the ball behind the net isn't an issue with Manchester City who have one of the most lethal and expensive front lines in World football.

Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero are both in second place on the league scorers chart with 10 goals a piece.

Mario Balotelli, the crazy Italian is not far behind with six to his name.

David Silva has four goal.

Up-Coming Fixtures

This is where it becomes tricky for the City management, a host of tough fixtures all squashed into a few weeks, making the usually hectic November/December the toughest period in this season for the rich boys.

Napoli fixture could well be the beginning of a long road...

Liverpool vs. Manchester City (Premier League)

Anfield - 27.11.11

Liverpool are currently on the rise, having just beaten Chelsea at the Bridge, could only mean problems for Mancini and his troops.

Arsenal vs Manchester City (Carling Cup)

Emirates - 29.11.11

It might be an English Cup match, could well mean fringe players and an average affair, well I doubt that. Arsenal will look to put the pressure on City on all fronts at Wenger look to continue their strong come-back.

Manchester City vs Norwich (Premier League)

Etihad Stadium - 03.12.11

Some might see this as time to breath, but with Norwich in some good form, it could well mean City will have to keep the tempo on the top. Norwich might be a lesser team in terms of it's quality, but in the Premier League anything can happen, for City they need to ensure complacency is one of them.

Manchester City vs Bayern Munich (Champions League)

Etihad Stadium - 07.12.11

Could well be one of the most important games, City will have put much emphasis on making it pretty deep in Europe's elite competition especially after spending so much money.

They have one game left in the group stage, a victory required and hope that Napoli loose. Bayern on the other hand won't be giving any early Christmas presents.

Chelsea vs Manchester City (Premier League)

Standford Bridge - 12.12.11

They keep coming thick and fast, I can't even imagine the feeling when these fixtures where released, City fans must have looked in disgust.

Anyway, Chelsea should be back from the poor form by then, and could well prove to be as difficult as they known to be.

City will have has lots of hard yard and the team will be stretched, Mancini will have to work around the clock to ensure excellent team management and squad rotation.

Manchester City vs Arsenal (Premier League)

Etihad Stadium - 18.12.11

Yes, there's still another tough fixture, and Arsenal could sometimes be the easiest team to play or the most deadly.

Currently Arsenal are in top notch form, scoring freely and looking good. The defense is still an issue and will need work to keep out the riches of City.

Manchester City vs Stoke City (Premier League)

Etihad Stadium - 21.12.11

Some might see this as a game that gives City a chance to regain the baton, easier opposition at home, but after such a run which could take a lot out of the players, I doubt it will be anything but easy going.

West Brom vs Manchester City (Premier League)

The Hawthorns - 26.12.11

A visit to West Brom isn't one that some might look to avoid, but the last game for the year could prove to be amongst the tough one's for City.

January Woes

Following some of the most enduring fixtures in November/December, City fans will look to the New Year for some calm and peace, hoping to still be on the top of the table and fighting for honors. 

But, it could be the worst possible new if they slip up during the Christmas madness.

January has its own headaches starting with the task at the Stadium of Light against Sunderland, followed by Liverpool, Wigan and Spurs.

As usual an FA Cup fixture will be thrown into the mix to demand more from the players.

While all of this is happening, there's the question of African Cup of Nations, which will see a few players absent from club duty.

While it might only be two players from the City squad, Kolo and Yaya Toure.

Yaya's exclusion could have a huge effect, despite having so many players to replace him.

Key Players

Every team, no matter how many super stars it has, needs to have a few players, just a handful that can anchor the ship in the rough seas.

Luckily for City they have a team sheet of players capable of doing exactly that, unfortunately though too many big heads could be their down fall.

These players should be regarded as the best to lead the team.

Vincent Kompany (Captain)

The skipper will be the main man looked upon, not just from the players, but by the coach as well. 

Yaya Toure

Having the experience playing for Barcelona can only mean you are well equipped to deal with any situation, and this is a situation, ok.

David Silva

He runs the show in the City midfield, his present in majority of the games will be key to their success in-front of goal.

Mario Balotelli

Crazy choice to lead, maybe, but his hunger to be in the lime-light could be well used in such instances where the coach needs to gain so much from his players.

What Does This Mean...

After having read all of that, it come down to two simple facts.

1. City could win majority of the games, most probable be knocked out of Europe but still lead the league table at the New Year holding off Manchester United.

2. City could slip-up, loose +/- six points during the course of the next couple weeks and open the league for a cast of other teams.

What's required from the players is good leadership and desire to win, simple as that.