Only last weekend did Manchester City secure a third consecutive Premier League 2 title, yet before even lifting the trophy on Saturday they were starting to plan for next season.
City have dominated the academy landscape for over three years now, with the under-21s securing three titles in a row, and the under-18s winning four in a row of their respective league competition. It's a reflection of a club-wide effort to teach the same system to every player on their books, playing in every team.
This season's Premier League 2 triumph is arguably their best, with a comprehensive rebuild needed last summer and still a title won in the same familiar way. The players may be different, but the football will always remain the same throughout every age group at the club.
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That was evident in this final home game of the season against relegation-threatened Wolves. City celebrated their trophy on the Academy Stadium pitch after staving off a Wolves comeback from 4-0 down, which proved to be an opportunity for Brian Barry-Murphy and his staff to cast an eye over some different players now the title was won.
Goalscoring wing pair Carlos Borges and Dire Mebude were on the bench, as was regular goalkeeper Mikki van Sas, and there were rare starts for the likes of Josh McNamara, Terrell Agyemang, Kane Taylor, Josh Adam and Micah Hamilton.
For goalscorer Ben Knight, back from a long-term injury in recent weeks, and classy midfielder Alex Robertson, they were arguably playing for the scouts present, or to show City they should be given more prominent roles than with the under-21s next year. Both have experienced senior football out on loan, but have had injury issues over the last year. Now fit again, they were a step ahead of Wolves and will try to make up for lost time next season wherever they play their football.
Knight opened the scoring in an easy first half when his deflected effort bounced over the goalkeeper just seven minutes in, after Oscar Bobb found him on the edge of the area. Bobb was playing everywhere from defensive midfield to number ten, and this was his 18th assist of an impressive season.
The Norwegian is one of those who played a back-up role last season as James McAtee, Liam Delap, Sam Edozie and Romeo Lavia had the monopoly on starting places. With those influential players all departing to play in the Championship or higher, Bobb (and Borges and Mebude) have all taken their chance and run with it.
Maybe Hamilton and Adam will do the same next season, having been restricted to substitute appearances for most of the season. Hamilton, back from a bad injury, has looked good since returning, and it was his dangerous cross that caused havoc in the ponderous Wolves defence. Will Dickson just missed it, but Adam was on hand to convert from close range and double the champions' lead.
Adam has only started three league games this season - this one included - but has scored in each one from midfield. His second goal just before the break, showed what he can offer next season, as he brilliantly lobbed the goalkeeper from the edge of the area.
That came after Hamilton joined him on the scoresheet with a fine effort, jinking into the area past three defenders and finishing well into the corner. After his injury issues, Hamilton is another making up for the games he has missed this season.
City were purring, yet didn't need to get out of first gear - helped by a poor Wolves defensive effort. The visitors had hit the post, though, and sent a free header over from six yards, so Alfie Pond's firm finish after a scramble at a corner was a fair reflection of their efforts in attack.
Robertson and Knight would make way at half-time, giving Wolves the delight of facing Mebude for the second half. Before he could impact the game, though, Nathan Fraser headed in a second consolation in three minutes either side of the break to keep the Blues on their toes.
Mebude would watch Fraser head home a second, beating McNamara to a lovely cross, as Wolves made it three without reply on the hour mark. So Mebude's tricky work a minute later to win a penalty was very useful - except Adam could only fire straight at Wolves goalkeeper Palmi Arinbjornsson from the spot rather than wrap up his hat-trick.
City were so comfortable in the first half that McNamara could stand with the ball at his feet for nearly a minute at one stage with no pressure on the ball and no need for his teammates to offer a pass. Now, City were showing some nerves and had let Wolves firmly back into the game from a 4-0 lead just 15 minutes earlier in the game.
Still, if the coaches wanted to see what some of their younger players are made of, this is the kind of situation that will let them know - and the response was positive. Substitute Tai Sodje forced a smart save, and Bobb volleyed a lovely effort over as the Blues finally started to move through those gears.
A fifth goal wouldn't follow, although the pressure in the Wolves third was enough to stop the fightback and secure another three points. The side that finished the contest may be closer to the one that defends this latest title than the one that won it, and after holding on for the win, City can be confident that these players are ready to help win title number four next season.
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