Manchester City's blue moon is rising

And any true blue engineer will attest to this fact – we are experts at making do with what we have. Pellegrini does us proud here – he knows the team he has, and the resources he has at his disposal.

And as opposed to splashing the cash unnecessarily, he has invested heavily – but wisely – in the transfer market.

Fernandinho’s big-money move raised a number of questions – but it was a well-planned move, seeing as how it has freed up an absolute beast in Yaya Toure. The Ivorian now prowls around in areas where he can cause the most damage – but is not averse to dropping back and letting Fernandinho himself make a few runs forward.

Just so you know, the Brazilian is no slouch in that department either.

Balotelli’s resurgence at Milan may have left a sour taste in the mouths of City supporters, but the sheer presence that Alvaro Negredo has displayed thus far will have gone a long way in forgetting Super Mario and his antics.

The Spaniard’s telepathic understanding with Sergio Aguero has seen both players raise their games – in yet another testament to the growing prominence of strike partnerships in the league.

Negredo may be called “The Beast of Vallecas”, but within that imposing exterior is a highly accomplished footballer. One whose intelligence and technical ability have shown through enough to warrant him a starting berth as Spain’s preferred option up front.

Jesus Navas has overcome long-standing problems of chronic homesickness (yes, that’s why the winger didn’t make a move to an elite club before) to provide City with some much-needed width in their play. His form, though, has varied from sublime to mediocre. But it is early days yet.

These two transfers highlight a most intriguing pattern – what an impending World Cup does to the transfer market. Players rush to move to a bigger stage, or in search of game time, all with the intention of being in prime condition for when the tournament comes calling.

City will be glad of the chance to provide these two stars with the chance to shine. Pellegrini himself has ushered in a former charge from his time at Malaga, in Martin Demichelis, although a long-standing injury has meant that the Argentine has only resumed first-team duties.

Montenegrin striker Stevan Jovetic is another who has seen injuries hamper his settling-in at the Etihad. But Manchester City’s decisiveness in the face of Arsenal’s hesitation in the transfer window will be justified – the prodigy is tailor-made for the English game.

As for City’s woeful away form, well, there had to be some kind of fall-out in the drastic change from a playing style that brought them so much success in the recent past.

As with the new arrivals, supporters have to give this new-look team time to gel and work out all the minor details. In this game where so little separates the very best out there, ironing out flaws may take time, but it will yield dividends.

The important thing to remember for City supporters is that this is a new dawn for the club, and that building their identity as a football team will take time.

Their rivals should beware – this Manchester City is not the Manchester City of old.