City's rollercoaster journey over the last few decades prompts reflection as the end of the season looms.

The Mirror's Oliver Holt pens a sympathetic view of what Blues fans have had to go through, seeing the current state of affairs as thoroughly deserved.

"Sometimes it seems strange. For so long, City were about misfortune and under-achievement and being local. Now the sands are shifting.

"Some of us still look back fondly on the bad old days but City and their fans have spent enough time in the shadows.

"They're never going back to Friday nights against Tranmere Rovers. It is time to spend a few years in the sun."

But a familiar face will be doing his best to spoil the party this Sunday. Joey Barton has been fairly quiet of late on Twitter, but he's widely quoted on the prospect of facing his old club next weekend and of course QPR have much at stake as well.

The Star's version is fairly standard. with Mike McGrath writing: "JOEY BARTON wants to give Manchester City a reality check at the weekend – and has warned his old club they face Premier League heartbreak

“'I can’t wait for the game. I can’t wait to go to Man City,' Barton said. 'They expect us to turn up and them to probably stuff us and win the league.

“'If that is their attitude they will get a reality check.

It’s 11 men against 11, there is a lot of pressure out there. I can’t wait for it.

...Joey Barton

But you'll be pleased to know that there's no complacency creeping into the City camp. Roberto Mancini is managing to keep a calm head while all around are losing theirs, sort of, as Sky Sports.com report:

"Vitally important wins over Newcastle and title rivals Manchester United in recent weeks have put City within sight of the trophy.

"And Mancini knows his squad are so close they can almost reach out and grab the Premier League title.
 
"'We have two fingers on the trophy. But it is not enough, because we still have one more game and it is a difficult one,' said the Italian.

"'My feeling is good after the Newcastle result and so is the feeling of the players. But we need to play the QPR game in the right mood.'"