Manchester-United-v-Manchester-CityWith the 2015-16 Premier League starting at the weekend, RoM has spoken to rival fans about the season ahead. Today we start with Rob Pollard, editor of TypicalCity.org.

Scott: How did City do in 2014-15?

Rob: Regressed in every competition. The only one we managed to match our 2013/14 performance in was the Champions League, reaching the last 16 again, but even that was secured in a less impressive way. Our group stage was awful this time, whereas the year before we qualified comfortably. Given the players in the squad, it was a very poor season. Lacked pace going forward and appeared weak mentally at times, which was a big concern.

S: Why do you think City have struggled to retain the title?

R: The last team to retain the title was United in 2009. It’s not an easy thing to do. It’s concerning, though, because both times we’ve tried to defend it, our effort has been pretty weak. City fans would be fine, I’m sure, with a proper go at it, but ours have been pitiful, to be honest.

S: United finally battered you on derby day again. Where did it go wrong for City?

R: The opening 15 minutes is the best we’ve played in 2015. After that, it was a disaster. Confidence was rock bottom at that stage. There didn’t appear to be much energy or desire in the players. Still stunned we won the next six games after that because it looked pretty bleak at full time.

S: How do you expect City to do in 2015-16?

R: It’s difficult. You’d expect much better, given how lacklustre and insipid it was at times last season, and with Sterling in the mix I’m sure we’ll be a bit more exciting again, but there’s an issue at the heart of the defence. It’s never easy predicting this sort of thing before the transfer window has shut, but a trophy of some description is expected.

S: Who do you think will be your best player?

R: Silva. Aguero grabs the headlines, and quite rightly because he scores goals, but he tends to have periods out injured and then has to recover and return to his best. Silva is City’s most creative player week in week out, so, for me, he is the most important player in the side. He just seems to see things on the pitch others don’t. He’s a remarkable player.

S: How highly do you rate Pellegrini?

R: I really like him. There are an awful lot of City fans who don’t. He’s seen as quite cold and uninspiring, and things like ignoring the away fans after a dreadful defeat away at Burnley don’t help his cause, but he is committed to attacking football and handles himself well on the whole. I don’t think he got enough credit for the league-and-cup double in his first season, and he perhaps got too much stick when things didn’t go as well last season. The players seem to like him, we play the right way and he’s a lovely fella. It’s very doubtful he’ll be here much longer, though, with Pep Guardiola still the club’s main target.

S: Are you happy with your team’s business in the transfer window?

R: As it stands, only Delph and Sterling have joined, as well as a few young lads who are likely to go out on loan or spend a year in Vieira’s EDS side. We need more, but I’m happy with both players who have come in. The Sterling one has been funny because the Liverpool fans very quickly went from thinking he was the best young player in Europe to saying he was overrated and wasteful and no better than Jordon Ibe. The truth, of course, is he’s a very talented player for his age and could go on to have a very impressive career. And Delph, at £8 million, was a total no-brainer.

S: Where do you think United will finish this season?

R: Hard to say without knowing the final squads but what’s clear is this summer’s transfer strategy has been much more well thought out and well planned than the previous two summers. Your squad looked unbalanced last season, whereas it now has a much more rounded feel. Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin give that midfield a much stronger look, and that will be important. The defence would worry me, though. I think if you get a centre-back, improving on last season should be well within grasp.

S: If you could have one United player in your team, who would it be?

R: Given De Gea hasn’t left yet, I’ll give the obvious answer and say him. He’s superb.

S: Who do you think will win the league?

R: Again, depends on who comes in at the top clubs before the end of the window. Right now, I’d say Chelsea because I think they have the best manager and the best squad, but who knows who will arrive at City/United/Arsenal yet. There’s still the best part of a month to go before the window shuts.