Premier League title wins in 2011-12 and 2013-14 have been followed by trophyless campaigns, raising questions as to why the club has not been able to relentlessly won trophies, especially given the talent they can afford and already own.
Even Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew mentioned it in the build-up to his side's home match with City on Saturday, in order to try and explain just why Manuel Pellegrini's men have started the season so well, with four straight wins featuring 10 goals scored and none conceded. Pardew put that record down to what has happened in the minds as much as what has happened on the pitch.
"Pellegrini has re-motivated the players," Pardew said, citing the magic word, and apparent magic spell. "They have made the right move with [extending] his contract. That sent a statement and the players have followed in line. That often happens. Certainly Yaya Toure looks back to his best, Vincent Kompany re-energised... this year there is a determination to put it right."
From that very point about determination, however, there is still a big question over whether City can put it right in the long term. Can they maintain that motivation, that resilience, when it gets tough? That has been the real issue, even in parts of their two title-winning seasons.
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