Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has admitted he fears his team may start the new season slowly again.
Guardiola's men dropped points in five of their first eight Premier League fixtures last year.
With a number of international players having returned to training only a matter of days before their opening game at Tottenham Hotspur, the Spaniard is wary.
City turned the situation around brilliantly last campaign, as they embarked on a 28-game unbeaten run from late November, to take charge of the title race and went on to win it.
"Before, it was four or five weeks for preparation in the pre-season. Now Thursday is the first day we were all together. It is completely different.
"It is similar to last season when we played against Wolves without any friendly games having been played. People asked me how the team was and I didn't know! I hadn't seen them.
"That is why the mentality and being strong in the head will be important. We know we are still a way from our best condition.
"We couldn't have a pre-season for 75 or 80 per cent of the players but the most important thing we did last season was adjust, adapt and not complain," Guardiola said.
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