In their 18 competitive games so far, Barca have recorded 13 wins and been defeated once, and in the process have added the European and Spanish Super Cups to their treble trophy haul from the last campaign.

The Catalan giants are also top of the Primera Division table, well on course for a place in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey, and still have their Champions League futures in their own hands, despite being drawn in the proverbial "Group of Death".

It appears Barca have just carried on where they left off from their record-breaking season last term, but Guardiola insists his troops have not hit top form yet and believes there is still room for improvement.

He said following last night's 4-2 home win over Real Mallorca: "We're not doing too bad.

"Last year nobody gave us a chance and every step forward we took was a surprise. This year there's no room for surprises, but we can still improve, we can get better, and that is what I want my players to understand. We've not achieved our best yet, but we're not bad."

Midfielder Yaya Toure added on his club's website: "We want to return to playing like last season and I think we are on a good path, although we have little time to train.

"This week, for example, we have friendly matches with the national teams. Nevertheless, the team is very professional and we will continue working to improve."