It might be a work in progress, but there was little in Manchester City’s performance at Birmingham to get excited about their long-term prospects of breaking into the top four.   In fact, it was very difficult to tell which side spent over £100m in the summer because it was a game short on inspiration and quality. Even though Man City were packed with internationals, it was your average Premier League match, where there is plenty of endeavor and commitment on display but little in the way of genuine composure.   Unforced errors, ball given away cheaply and the in your face approach was more in keeping with the stereotypical British game of football and it’s probably a tag the managers of both teams, who are Scottish and Welsh respectively, will want to avoid.

There was one positive for Mark Hughes to take from the game – Shay Given’s fine point winning penalty save from James McFadden. The Republic of Ireland goalkeeper is arguably the most influential signing yet since the Abu Dhabi group’s takeover and when the Eastlands side aren’t producing it elsewhere they can rely on him to keep them in contention.

But Man City came perilously close to coming out the wrong end of another battle facing one of the so-called lesser teams and it followed two draws against Wigan and Fulham – the latter especially was a real lesson because they threw away a two-goal lead.

Even Championship outfit Scunthorpe United fought back to equalise against a strong City line-up in the recent Carling Cup tie before going on to lose heavily.

It’s easy to get caught up in the hype coming from both ways – one win and City are set to dominate but one slip-up and there’s a crisis. However, grinding out points when playing moderately well is not a bad thing.

But they are not playing as well as they did earlier in the season and failure to bag three points their next League game - a clash they are expected to win at home to Burnley - will mean for the first time in this campaign a gap will open up between themselves and the clubs occupying the positions they want to be in.

Roque Santa Cruz didn’t make much of an impact at St Andrew’s but it’s understandable after a long spell on the sidelines with injury, while speculation is mounting over the future of Robinho.

There may be unsettling times ahead, especially with the January transfer window looming, and for once City could end up with the shoe on the other foot as they fight to hold on to their best players. The bottomless pit Mark Hughes has at his disposal will provide respite, but top quality players mulling over a switch to Eastlands will want to see better football than what has been served up of late.