City have hit the ground running, winning all five games so far in the Premier League to be the only team still with a 100 per cent record and open up a two point lead at the top of the table in the process.
Along the way City have also won the UEFA Super Cup and made a winning start to our Champions League campaign with a 3-1 win against Red Star Belgrade in midweek.
However, addressing the media ahead of Saturday’s latest Premier League game at home to Nottingham Forest, the manager insisted he was reading nothing into that flying start – and pointed to the example of what happened in his first season in charge at the Etihad back in 2016/17
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“When we arrived here seven or eight years ago we made six from six (at the start of the season) and we finished third,” Guardiola pointed out.
“It’s just the beginning.
“It’s important to get points because the competition is hard, some of our opponents don’t miss much points but it’s just the beginning so it’s important to get points, definitely.”
After a successful battle to preserve their topflight status last term, Forest have made an impressive start to the season, winning at Chelsea and pushing both Arsenal and Manchester United close at the Emirates and Old Trafford respectively.
They will travel to the Etihad lying in eighth place in the table with their latest result a 1-1 draw at home to Burnley last Monday
For his part, the City boss said he was full of admiration for the job undertaken by Cooper and said he was anticipating the toughest of tests on Saturday afternoon.
“The most important thing is when he took over two seasons ago in the Championship they were not good,” Pep pointed out.
“Then after he made an incredible run and got promoted, they struggled all season but finished really well with a lot of signings and to settle this is not easy but they did it.
“And this season they have started really well and made a lot of points - much more points than last season.
“They are a physical team, well organised and the pace in transitions is really, really high.
“We must be careful, of course we’re optimistic to do what we have to do in front of our people and will try to make it six wins in a row.”
City v Forest App coverage
Minute-by-minute text updates will begin in our Matchday Centre two hours before kick-off, while our Matchday Live show will begin at 14:00 (UK).
Paul Dickov, Stuart Pearce and Robert Earnshaw are special guests on the latest Matchday Live show, offering their expert insight at half-time and in greater detail after the final whistle.
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They will also answer viewer questions throughout the broadcast, with audience participation actively encouraged on Matchday Live. To get in touch, send a WhatsApp to: +447537186538
During the game you can listen to live audio commentary from Alistair Mann and former City striker Shaun Goater while our text commentary continues.
Make sure to have push notifications turned on as well, so you can be alerted to key moments in the action, including goals, red cards and the team news.
Highlights and a full-match replay on CITY+ and Recast, can be viewed following full-time.
