Mark Hughes
says his Manchester City squad were not
good enough to compete last season and that his summer additions
have helped address the balance.
The Eastlands outfit have been busy in the transfer market since
the season ended after striking deals with
Aston Villa and
Blackburn Rovers for Gareth Barry and Roque Santa Cruz
respectively.
Although City splashed out on the likes of Robinho following
their takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group, headed by Sheikh
Mansour, Hughes felt quality was still lacking.
City were largely unable to live up to lofty expectations last
season, but Hughes now believes they are more equipped to fulfil
their potential and challenge for honours.
"People's perceptions about us will be accurate this year,"
explained Hughes.
"If we can get the players we are hoping for we will have more
tools to do the job. We didn't have that last year.
"Now we are getting closer to what we need to be to be able to
challenge."
City are being linked with the likes of Samuel Eto'o,
Carlos Tevez and Joleon Lescott, but despite a wealth of
riches at his fingertips Hughes says not every player is
attainable.
"We might not be able to get all the players we need during this
transfer window," he continued. "There may be others we need to
negotiate in.
"But leading into the new season I fully expect us to be in
better shape and be better prepared than we were last year when
expectations were the same as they will be this time.
"Last year we couldn't fulfil them. This year I anticipate we
will."
