Manchester City's demise - and United's success - is an abject lesson in failing to spot the signs of complacency - Telegraph It is an extraordinary re-establishing of United's dominance but Ferguson's side has shown the hunger, the desire and the sheer will to win that define champions. When I watched City against Southampton on Saturday, I saw none of those qualities. In a season where, for the most part, I believe Mancini's team has been average, and certainly nowhere near their standards of a year ago, this weekend highlighted the difference in mentality in the most severe terms. I do not see the same spirit and togetherness in the City squad as United. If United gave a first half performance like we had seen from City at St Mary's, we would have seen Ferguson on the pitch yelling at his players. However flawed City's current squad is, a 12-point gap would have been inconceivable at the start of the season but it is a fair reflection of the difference in quality and, perhaps most telling, on-pitch attitude. City now have some major decisions to make to get back to where they were last summer. When a side wins the title for the first time, you would normally expect they would keep going at that highest level for another three or four years. You could argue some serious rebuilding will be required already, but one wonders - now the financial restrictions are to be enforced - if they have missed their chance. They have made no impression in the Champions League and, Vincent Kompany apart, have been in need of defensive reinforcement since the summer. The players they did recruit have made little impression. I do not believe the manager has been able to get the best of the squad he does have this season, and certain mistakes have been evident for a while. The Mario Balotelli situation, for example, was allowed to fester for too long. He should have been sold in the summer, the title win seeming to earn him an extended stay when City won it despite rather than because of the striker. You cannot keep players who cause disharmony. Eventually, you pay the price. It can be argued, of course, this all premature. You only need look at City recovery a year ago. However, I do not believe the current City team would be good enough to reduce a 12-point gap even if United endured a rough spell. It is often said when a side has a big lead the only way they can lost the title is if they throw it away themselves. That's not strictly true. You also need an opponent capable of catching you. Also, throughout Ferguson's reign there has been one flaw which has never contaminated Old Trafford in the same way as their rivals. Complacency. I made the point as far back as August, when the first, obvious hints City would not be same force of last season were apparent, that City looked like they had been complacent. United do not have to worry about looking over their shoulder this time. They would have to lose five games, and that would be an unprecedented slip. When City lifted the title in May, it seemed they had usurped United and would blow them away with their financial power. A year on, it is clear they are now back where they used to be - with still so much to learn from their rivals.