City moved top of the table WSL with a 3-0 win over Birmingham at the Academy Stadium on Saturday, making it four wins from four without conceding a goal.
And it means we have now won all seven matches in all competitions, scoring 23 goals in the process.
It represents a perfect beginning to the new campaign – but Cushing says tough lessons from the past mean he won’t be entertaining talk of winning silverware just yet.
“No, definitely not,” he said. “I learned that in 2017/18 season when we went right through until February and then we won nothing. I’ve learned the hard way.
“Last season was positive for us but the key thing is to learn that these games don’t end in draws. Like Bristol away last year, Reading, Chelsea…we’ve got to make sure that when we’re on top and ahead, we go on and win the game.
“Four wins is pleasing but we have difficult games coming up, there are other in-form teams and the league is getting more competitive.
“We just take each game as it comes.”
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Keira Walsh was deservedly given the player of the match award after a fine display against Birmingham.
The Rochdale-born midfielder controlled the game, dictating City’s attacks from deep and displaying a superb range of passing.
She has become the bedrock of this City side, a key component in the Club winning five trophies in five years.
And at just 22, her best years are likely to be ahead of her.
Cushing says her intelligence is what sets her apart and believes she is now central to everything the team does in terms of our build-up play.
“She is by far the most intelligent footballer I’ve ever worked with,” Cushing said. “She has the ability to control the build up in ways we don’t work on.
“If she plays well, we have the team to go on and win games.
“She plays every week because without her there is a huge hole in our performance, that is a fact.
“She dominates our performance form a build up point of view. Her ability to solve tactical problems is incredible.”
Attention now turns to Wednesday’s Champions League game against Atletico Madrid, the Spanish side who knocked City out of the competition at the last-32 stage a year ago.
Cushing knows It won’t be easy but says there a real desire among the squad to avenge last season’s loss.
“We want to progress,” he said. “It hurt us last year.
“They’re very good with the ball, we played them in pre-season and beat them,. But it will be difficult.
“They want to progress as much as we do. The team that plays the best over two legs will win. We were probably better over 45 minutes last season, they were better for a game-and-a-half and deservedly went through.”
City are next in action in the UEFA Women’s Champions League against Atletico Madrid at the Academy Stadium on Wednesday 16 October (7pm). Tickets for all home games are on sale online and at the Etihad Stadium Ticket Office.
