Manchester City: Points to Ponder from Win vs. Queens Park Rangers

The reigning English Premier League champions are picking up where they left off last season, and are starting to establish themselves as the team to beat.

Manchester City's third result in as many weeks sees them remain undefeated this year. The club's most recent victory—a comfortable 3-1 win over Queens Park Rangers—showed just how tough the Citizens will be this season.

Having said that, it's still early days, and there is still no doubt plenty to think about. Read on to see some of the key questions and points to ponder for Manchester City.

One must wonder whether the three-defender experiment that Roberto Mancini wants to use at Manchester City this season is going to work, particularly in important matches.

The 3-5-2 variation was largely ineffective against Liverpool, and the team were left wanting at the back on several occasions, which forced Mancini to adopt a more traditional 4-4-1-1 formation for the match against Queens Park Rangers.

While Bobby Zamora was able to break the Citizens defense, they mostly looked a lot more comfortable and sound at the back, while still providing a great threat going forward through the midfield and on the wings.

What formation they persist with for the rest of the season will be interesting to watch.

For me, Yaya Toure was almost as good as Carlos Tevez against Queens Park Rangers, and is shaping up to be one of City's most important players this year.

As long as he is given the opportunity to push forward, Toure will continue to be one of the team's most dangerous options this season, even once Sergio Aguero returns from injury.

Signing Jack Rodwell to hold down midfield and allow Toure to push forward should pay dividends for City this season.

Last week, I stated that Mario Balotelli was not good enough to replace Sergio Aguero in any way at Manchester City and that his future at the club could be in serious danger.

This week, after watching the Italian go unused against QPR after undergoing eye surgery, I ask myself the same question.

Does Mario Balotelli have a future at the Etihad and in Roberto Mancini's side?

Edin Dzeko and Carlos Tevez looked more than capable up front, and with Toure and Rodwell dominating in the middle of the pitch, I cannot see Balotelli being anything more than a substitute for Manchester City this season.

The scary thing for those facing Manchester City in the coming months is that this team still isn't firing on all cylinders, despite going undefeated in three matches.

Sergio Aguero is still out injured for another two or three weeks, while Micah Richards and Gareth Barry are also unavailable due to injury.

The fact is, this side isn't anywhere near full strength, and that creates a very scary prospect for Premier League teams.

When this squad is fully fit, and Mancini has a full roster of players to choose from, watch out.

Consider the club's recent transfer acquisitions—Scott Sinclair, Maicon, Matija Nastasic and Javi Garcia—and suddenly this Manchester City squad is clearly the strongest in the English Premier League, and one that will take serious stopping throughout the season.

They have depth and talent right across the pitch, and have shown so far this season that they are still able to get results when injuries and outcomes do not fall their way.

It truly is scary to think what this team could do when fully fit and healthy, and when their transfer stars are all available for selection.

What did you make of City's win vs. Queens Park Rangers?

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