The Blues have failed to keep their early-season form going over the last couple of months.
Indeed, it's been a bit of a rollercoaster since Christmas as we've only won 2 of our last 11 league games, and both were memorable victories.
On January 2 we pulled off a rare win at Newcastle, and although we hoped to come away from St James' Park with the 3 points, it surprised many of us how impressive the win was.
Then, of course, was the brilliant derby win at Old Trafford when we played the role of party poopers by beating United as they commemorated the 50th anniversary of Munich.
Meanwhile, our fantastic home record has fallen away and we've now failed to win in our last 6 league games at Eastlands.
There was no disgrace losing our unbeaten home record to Arsenal last month but it was hugely disappointing not to rediscover our home form as we hosted Everton and Wigan on the back of the derby win.
Perhaps we'd lost our edge against Everton having had a two-week break after the United game, but there certainly seemed to be a lack of passion.
There were signs of improvement against Wigan, and although Benjani missed two glaring opportunities, we had to be grateful for a point after Joe Hart's superb late save from Palacios.
I said the first 3 league games off the year - at Newcastle, Everton and at home to West Ham - could make or break City's season, but our inconsistent form since Christmas means everything is still up in the air.
With our home form tailing off, we've dropped down to 8th, but those welcome wins at Newcastle and United - just our 2nd and 3rd away wins of the season - have kept us hanging in there.
Although Champions League qualification is still a possibility, I think that may just be beyond us this year with so many other teams in the race - most of which are in much better form.
City have ensured we have the safety net of the Intertoto Cup this summer, but with it starting so early, few teams that qualify for Europe down that route make an impact in the UEFA Cup because they're fatigued.
Over the last 10 games then, I believe Sven and the boys must focus on securing European qualificaion through the league as a top-6 finish is certainly within our means.
Three of our next four games are away but we should be hopeful of winning every one of them as Reading, Bolton and Birmingham are all struggling - and positive results there would set us up nicely for the home straight.
Indeed, it's been a bit of a rollercoaster since Christmas as we've only won 2 of our last 11 league games, and both were memorable victories.
On January 2 we pulled off a rare win at Newcastle, and although we hoped to come away from St James' Park with the 3 points, it surprised many of us how impressive the win was.
Then, of course, was the brilliant derby win at Old Trafford when we played the role of party poopers by beating United as they commemorated the 50th anniversary of Munich.
Meanwhile, our fantastic home record has fallen away and we've now failed to win in our last 6 league games at Eastlands.
There was no disgrace losing our unbeaten home record to Arsenal last month but it was hugely disappointing not to rediscover our home form as we hosted Everton and Wigan on the back of the derby win.
Perhaps we'd lost our edge against Everton having had a two-week break after the United game, but there certainly seemed to be a lack of passion.
There were signs of improvement against Wigan, and although Benjani missed two glaring opportunities, we had to be grateful for a point after Joe Hart's superb late save from Palacios.
I said the first 3 league games off the year - at Newcastle, Everton and at home to West Ham - could make or break City's season, but our inconsistent form since Christmas means everything is still up in the air.
With our home form tailing off, we've dropped down to 8th, but those welcome wins at Newcastle and United - just our 2nd and 3rd away wins of the season - have kept us hanging in there.
Although Champions League qualification is still a possibility, I think that may just be beyond us this year with so many other teams in the race - most of which are in much better form.
City have ensured we have the safety net of the Intertoto Cup this summer, but with it starting so early, few teams that qualify for Europe down that route make an impact in the UEFA Cup because they're fatigued.
Over the last 10 games then, I believe Sven and the boys must focus on securing European qualificaion through the league as a top-6 finish is certainly within our means.
Three of our next four games are away but we should be hopeful of winning every one of them as Reading, Bolton and Birmingham are all struggling - and positive results there would set us up nicely for the home straight.