A month ago we were talking the Manchester City title winners of the 60s, perhaps even the United of 99 or the Arsenal of 04. Now, the Newcastle Unitedchokers of 96.Earlier on in the season City were sweeping aside opponents without batting an eyelid. Strong or weak opponents, home or away, if they didnt win then they would dominate. It was always going to be a tight race, but City looked like champions in waiting at one point.Yet within the space of 30 days, a five point lead has turned to a five point deficit for the Citizens and the title initiative handed to the red half of Manchester.Loses and draws are bad at any time for a club bidding to win their first title for 40 odd years. But they are even worse when there are arch rivals are hitting form in the midst of Squeakybum time.Just what is causing Manchester Citys stuttering form? Even with Aguero Julius Randle Jersey , Silva, Balotelli, Kompany (you get the picture), they are falling behind in the race at a make or break stage in the season.A crafty fan may blame the fixture list given to them at the start of the season. It is easy to blame andcriticize City for this dip in form, but one must also appreciate the opposition they have come up against. Swansea and Stoke away both posed difficult challenges, so too did Sunderland, all of themexperiencingvery pleasing seasons James Worthy Jersey .It equally seems that teams have adapted to Citys style of playnowadays.Early on in the season, Citys full backs pushing up drew defenders out wide, leaving space in the middle for the talented midfield to work with. There is no better example of this then at Old Trafford, where Milner and SilvaterrorizedFerdinand and Evans.However, of late teams have figured out how to stop this happening, Stoke and Sunderland in particular were not drawn out wide. It is notcoincidencethat Silvas dip in form has coincided with teams giving him le s space in the middle of the field.But title winners overcome these sorts of difficulties, just look at Manchester United last night, facing a determined Blackburn side. Praise must also be given to the Red Devils themselves, as a matter of fact. Phrases like the experience to win titles and a never say die attitude are becoming extremely cliched in Jose Calderon Jersey the modern day Premier League, but there is no doubting that both apply so well to this Manchester United side. 10 wins from the last 11 for Fergusons men is the form that one might expect from 19 times Champions, and they have applied ma sive pre sure to Manchester City.That pre sure is starting to show on Roberto Mancinis part. We know that of the two he is not the master of mind games, however some of his statements of late have beenludicrous, proving more a disadvantage than an advantage.No, I dont trust Mario, no, never, but Mario is like this. I dont think anyone can trust MarioAsked if he considered taking Balotelli off, Mancini said: We had only Carlos on the bench. I thought about this after five minutesHow do these sorts of statements help his team? Also, in saying that Manchester United would definitelydraw against Blackburn, he effectively wrote Sir Alexs team talk for him. At this rate, you feel its just a matter of time before he whips out the famous; I would love it if we beat them, love it! line.The subject of many of the Italians quotes has been his countryman Mario Balotelli. Every title winning team needs a maverick. United had Ronaldo and Cantona down the years, Chelsea had Drogba, Arsenal had Lehmann.But one has to judge whether they are more of a help or ahindrance, whether their talent outweighs their off pitch controversies, it is hard to judge with young Mario. Jordan Clarkson Jersey In defense of him, arguing over a free-kick is not an unusual thing for any player to do. I would notcriticizehim extensively for that.But his other antics throughout the season have attracted unwanted attention to Melwood training ground.When they win 6-1 at Old Trafford, setting his bathroom alight with fireworks can be brushed under the carpet (as much as something like that can be). However, when you are losing it is a lot harder to ignore, and that is the key i sue for him and for City at this present moment. One can expect him to the focus of attention at the Etihad on Dennis Rodman Jersey March the 30th, when Manchester United visit seeking revenge. Whether or not it is attention for his skills on the pitch or off it may prove key to Citys title hopes.The title is by no means lost. Its not over till the fat lady sings, and she probably isnt even on the stage yet. Even if United win against a spirited QPR and City lose to aresurgentArsenal side, there would still be hope for them. If the Premiership Pendulum can swing one way, it can swing back the other, however unlikely it may seem.However, City can give up any hope of the title if they do not sort out their off pitch antics and on fieldwearine s.