It has brought in experienced marketing and conditional professionals from the Premier League, although it may take them a little time to get up to speed with the Australian marketing environment, playing conditions and the rhythm of the A-League. However it hasn't yet managed to leverage its financial influence to persuade top-level players to join as marquee signings or for lengthy guest stints. On balance the money men from Manchester have given City and its local management - especially its football staff - more chances to succeed than not. Yet the club remains the most infuriating in the A-League, one excellent performance being followed by a disastrous one. Too often players have been signed while carrying injuries, or quickly develop them when they start training.

An emphasis on signing experienced men can pay dividends if those players remain to play their role on the pitch and provide leadership off it. But where City is concerned its been a one-way trolley ride to the medical room for most of the veterans brought in to help with the development of the younger brigade. Josh Kennedy struggled to get on the field last season before he finally succumbed to the demands of his body and retired. Robert Koren has been a disaster as a marquee player. No-one doubts the Slovenian's track record, but he simply does not get out on the pitch enough to give much to the team. He spent the first half of last season injured, and has repeated that this season. John van 't Schip has had almost two years now in his second stint at the club having taken over when the then Melbourne Heart fired John Aloisi at the end of 2013 following a disastrous winless run. The Dutchman had been the club's inaugural coach when it came into the league in 2010.

Van 't Schip turned things around briefly when replacing Aloisi, but last year, the first under the City banner, they were wildly inconsistent, saving their best for last, eventually beating Wellington in a final in New Zealand to take them to within one game of the Grand Final. This year all the signs were that things would be different. Veterans like Thomas Sorensen, the goalkeeper, and Aaron Hughes, the ex-Premier League defender, were brought in to provide leadership. Ivan Franjic and Michael Zullo, a current and former Socceroo full back, joined to bolster the starting XI. But all that City's small band of faithful fans are being given is more of the same. Hughes has only played half a game (the opening period in Friday night's 0-3 home loss to Western Sydney). Zullo has made a similar contribution, while Franjic has not played at all. Van 't Schip is always under pressure with the expectations at City, but that pressure is only ratcheting up with each wildly fluctuating performance. Friday night's disastrous effort, which he took full responsibility for, followed hard on the heels of a tremendous 4-2 win away from home in Adelaide.

Social media is full of speculation about how long he can last, and how City could only benefit from a change on the touchline.The boos ring out routinely these days following home losses. The man himself remains calm and assured, and says he is confident he can still turn things round. But more people are asking how long will that take - and how long will he get? Fox Sports breathlessly suggested on Friday night that City might be able to leverage its connections to New York City to get players like Andrea Pirlo, Frank Lampard and David Villa on loan for guest stints - a rumour the club dampened down. Sadly, the way they played on Friday night, not even that illustrious trio could have inspired them to beat the determined Wanderers. Van 't Schip has to pull something spectacular out of the hat if City is to be competitive against Brisbane next weekend.