STRATEGY: Roberto Mancini
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini believes the Blues put one hand on the Premier League trophy in the next two months.
The league leaders face a stern test of their title credentials in the coming weeks with tough fixtures against Chelsea and Arsenal before Christmas.
January appears even more imposing with three clashes against Liverpool - including the two-legged Carling Cup semi-final - a visit from Tottenham and the start of the FA Cup defence against arch-rivals Manchester United.
City will also have to make do without their midfield inspiration Yaya Toure, as well as his defensive brother Kolo, early in the new year due to their involvement in the African Nations Cup with Ivory Coast.
The Toures will return before City begin their Europa League campaign in mid-February and Mancini hopes his team have asserted their dominance by then.
Mancini said: "We have done well but the season is long.
"Now we have two difficult games against Chelsea and Arsenal.
"I have said before the next two months will be important months.
"Yaya is an important player for us - we don't have any other players like Yaya.
"We will probably lose an important man for one month at a crucial moment.
"For this reason I think if we do well in January, and we are top after January, it will be difficult to lose."
Yaya Toure has played more than any other outfield player for City this season and has started every non-Carling Cup match.
City have other midfield options in Gareth Barry, James Milner, Nigel de Jong and Owen Hargreaves but the 28-year-old former Barcelona player will undoubtedly be missed.
Mancini said: "The Europa League will start in February.
"Yaya will finish the African Nations Cup by February 10-11 and then he can come back.
"It is important in that month that we don't have players injured.
"If we don't have players injured I think we are strong enough for the FA Cup and Carling Cup."
The league leaders face a stern test of their title credentials in the coming weeks with tough fixtures against Chelsea and Arsenal before Christmas.
January appears even more imposing with three clashes against Liverpool - including the two-legged Carling Cup semi-final - a visit from Tottenham and the start of the FA Cup defence against arch-rivals Manchester United.
City will also have to make do without their midfield inspiration Yaya Toure, as well as his defensive brother Kolo, early in the new year due to their involvement in the African Nations Cup with Ivory Coast.
The Toures will return before City begin their Europa League campaign in mid-February and Mancini hopes his team have asserted their dominance by then.
Mancini said: "We have done well but the season is long.
"Now we have two difficult games against Chelsea and Arsenal.
"I have said before the next two months will be important months.
"Yaya is an important player for us - we don't have any other players like Yaya.
"We will probably lose an important man for one month at a crucial moment.
"For this reason I think if we do well in January, and we are top after January, it will be difficult to lose."
Yaya Toure has played more than any other outfield player for City this season and has started every non-Carling Cup match.
City have other midfield options in Gareth Barry, James Milner, Nigel de Jong and Owen Hargreaves but the 28-year-old former Barcelona player will undoubtedly be missed.
Mancini said: "The Europa League will start in February.
"Yaya will finish the African Nations Cup by February 10-11 and then he can come back.
"It is important in that month that we don't have players injured.
"If we don't have players injured I think we are strong enough for the FA Cup and Carling Cup."
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