ANY club are only as good as their senior pros.

City have lost a lot of experience but they’ve still got a good batch here and it’s their responsibility to set an example to the younger ones.

Losing the likes of McArdle, Meredith and Darby has been like a changing of the guard.

You’ve now got the mid-range boys, those who are probably best described as semi-experienced, taking more responsibility. The baton has been handed over.

That’s why I’m sure Stuart was really pleased to keep Tony McMahon.

The older heads need to instil good habits into younger players.

They can guide them but also if someone is acting the fool, you try and show them down the right road.

You’ve seen so many examples of players going into a football club and it’s not been right for them.

If the senior players are good pros and leading by example, you can sleep at night as a manager.

Someone like McMahon is a big player not only on the pitch but in the dressing room with his attitude to training and to matches, showing that desire and will to win.

You saw it last season with the lads not in the team. They still showed the right attitude around the club every day.

You don’t always get that. There can be lads who spit their dummy out because they aren’t playing and that can be a nightmare.

One rotten apple can spread through the group and it’s hellish.

It’s down to recruitment as well. Before you bring these players in, you do your homework and get to understand their background.

It’s not just their ability as a footballer but what they are like as a lad. Are they going to fit in or will they upset the apple cart? Research is key.