Former England goalkeeper David James believes that Manchester City’s opponents should be worried because of the defending Premier League champions’ rich vein of form.
The 53-year-old shared these thoughts after City registered 66 shots in their last two matches, 30 on target, against Red Star Belgrade and West Ham. City won both matches 3-1.
“We all suggested this would be a one-sided game, but though final scoreline didn't reflect our predictions, the performance definitely did,” said James.
“It was similar to the game against West Ham - though not as good - in that if we had scored seven or eight, nobody would have been surprised.
“These are the sort of performances that will have Nottingham Forest and Newcastle going, 'hang on a minute, the goalkeepers have made 25-plus saves in the last two games against City - what are we going to have to do to stop them creating that many chances?'
“And that's not even including the shots that didn’t hit the target. It's been a pretty good start for City.”
Meanwhile, former footballer Steve Howey lauded Julian Alvarez, who scored a brace against Red Star.
“Alvarez picked the ball up and does ever so well and he turns on and finds his partner straight away,” said Howey.
“We know how strong Haaland is and he holds it up well and then plays a clever reverse pass back to Alvarez who does ever so well.
"He had to get that first touch right or he would have run it out of play - but it's so good and he takes it around the keeper and he is then so quick with his feet to put it in the net. It was absolutely spot-on.
“And Rodri’s goal was excellent. We had so many chances in the first half and the lads were all trying to hit the ball so hard and it just goes to show, you don't have to because he just caressed the ball in and you could have put two keepers in there and they wouldn't have saved it!”
James added: “The quality of that finish was superb, and he didn't smash it - he just passed it into the corner and everything about it was quality.”
