Manchester City Fan View: Citizens have a subtle swagger this season

Manchester City hold a quiet confidence this season that they can go into most games and win, regardless of the quality of the opposition players and irrespective of the colour and crest of the kit that those players line up in.

That sense of confidence almost bordered on complacency in the first half against West Ham United on the weekend, but once again, the Blues stepped up their performance when it mattered the most, with fan favourite David Silva snatching an 83rd minute winner against a Hammers side set up to frustrate the Citizens from the get-go.

READ MORE: Manchester City v West Ham – how the game unfolded

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On the whole, however, City have been very respectful of all of the teams that they have faced this term and ensured that they do not underestimate anyone – a noticeable trait of Pep Guardiola teams.

This current Guardiola outfit remains at the top of the Premier League table on 43 points after 15 games, with a 36 goal difference, and still yet to be beaten in all competitions.

12 goals in the Premier League between the 76th minute and the full time whistle is indicative of an underlying but nonetheless noticeable poise within the City ranks. There is a subtle swagger, a covert confidence, about the City squad this season.

Furthermore, many goals have been either on the brink of half time or just after the break in many recent fixtures. City’s slickers know that if they do not go into the dressing room at the half way mark with an advantage – especially if they have dominated proceedings, as they often have this term – they will return to the pitch for the second 45 minutes on the back of a strong Guardiola message. More often than not, they come out and bag a goal almost immediately.

In the utmost positive sense, there exists an arrogant aura surrounding the Etihad Campus this season – even if the humble nature of Guardiola compels the Spanish coach to never truly and fully credit both his own achievements and his team’s performances.

During the current campaign, there have been many absolutely breathtaking performances throughout. Most have exhibited world class passes and passages of play. Some have been blessed with a plethora of goals. Others have required grit, dogged determination and late winners. But all have demonstrated that the implementation of Guardiola’s footballing philosophy has ultimately been successful and that City have what it takes to claim the title once more.

The epitome of a Premier League title-winning side is the capacity to dig the deepest when it is needed the most. Within the Etihad crowd, there is always the belief that their stars will score when it is needed and, as the City faithful sing so often, City will always ‘fight to the end’.