Now the dust has settled after that shocking humiliation at Eastlands on Saturday, it's time to sit down and analyse what exactly is in store for Mark Hughes and Manchester City under their new Arab regime.

OK, that defeat by Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup was embarrassing, humiliating and unexplained - but there ARE brighter times ahead for City if the cash is spent wisely.

Wayne Bridge is a great, sensible buy at £12m for an England-class defender - left-sided, too! And if Mark Hughes, or whoever else is entrusted with the task of managing the club's affairs, refuses to be held to ransom and write the cheques with a degree of control, then it is bound to reap its rewards in terms of trophies and success at the highest level.

A whole host of players have been linked with City; the bottom line is, it is the players themselves who will dictate who the club end up with. No matter how much City bid and offer the players, it will be the ones who say at the end of negotiations, 'Yes, Manchester City is the club I want to join' who will determine the future at Eastlands.

Dimitar Berbatov was a classic example when he chose neighbours Manchester United ahead of City, despite the Eastlands club bidding around £6m more for the then-Tottenham striker.

Once the new players are all on board at City, the manager then has to gel them together and I anticipate it will be around October this year before City get anywhere near the true force they would like to be in the Premier League.

If they can achieve that, then the world is their oyster. And please shut up, all those folk who say money is ruining the game. Anyone with any ambition would do the same in City's shoes.

It's all right saying you have to get along with your own abilities. Yes, that's true - but a little luck and help along the way is always appreciated.