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Gareth Barry admits Manchester City are feeling the title pressure ahead of Tottenham clash
Midfielder acknowledges club are entering a crucial part of the season and insists results are all the matter as he prepares for Spurs showdown at the Etihad Stadium
21 Jan 2012 16:11:00
By John Stammers
Gareth Barry has admitted that Manchester City are beginning to feel the pressure as the league leaders seek to claim their first ever Premier League title.
The Blues are unbeaten at the Etihad Stadium in the league this season but face a tough test of their title credentials on Sunday when Harry Redknapp's high-flying Tottenham are the visitors.
Indeed Roberto Mancini's men have stuttered in recent weeks with cup defeats to Liverpool and Manchester United and Barry has admitted that his team are feeling the strain as they enter a crucial part of the season.
"There's big pressure on us now," he told the Daily Mirror.
"It's a vital part of the season. There are still a lot of games left, but this period now, after a little sticky patch, is important.
"The game coming up against Spurs is a huge one in the title race. The lads aren't thinking about the money the club has spent at all - they're thinking about winning the league."
The midfielder also revealed that he was happy to see his side compromise their attacking style, which has won them many plaudits this season, in return for results as the season reaches its climax.
"That's the pressure - trying to win the title. Managers can see when pressure is affecting players, and that's where they must make their decisions," he added.
"Pressure can affect some players more than others.
"We're going into games now, knowing they're all big and that there's so much at stake.
"Earlier in the season the players were playing a lot more freely. But at this stage it's all about getting three points and sometimes the football may not be as pretty."
Barry also had words of support for his manager Mancini, who he believes has the nous and the experience to lead City to the title.
He added: "In terms of mind games, there have been opportunities when our manager could have had a little bite, but he's resisted it and not really reacted.
"I think that's definitely the right thing to do. The route the manager has gone down has certainly helped the players.
"He's not added any more pressure on us before the games and the players feel very comfortable that he knows what he is doing.
"The manager is in charge of what you do, so if you see him getting involved in other things away from the pitch, it's going to make everyone unsettled.
"Inside, the manager probably feels the pressure a bit more if the results aren't going right.
"But judging by the way he's approached it and spoken to us, he's certainly not showing any signs that he's under any more pressure."
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The Blues are unbeaten at the Etihad Stadium in the league this season but face a tough test of their title credentials on Sunday when Harry Redknapp's high-flying Tottenham are the visitors.
Indeed Roberto Mancini's men have stuttered in recent weeks with cup defeats to Liverpool and Manchester United and Barry has admitted that his team are feeling the strain as they enter a crucial part of the season.
"There's big pressure on us now," he told the Daily Mirror.
"It's a vital part of the season. There are still a lot of games left, but this period now, after a little sticky patch, is important.
"The game coming up against Spurs is a huge one in the title race. The lads aren't thinking about the money the club has spent at all - they're thinking about winning the league."
The midfielder also revealed that he was happy to see his side compromise their attacking style, which has won them many plaudits this season, in return for results as the season reaches its climax.
"That's the pressure - trying to win the title. Managers can see when pressure is affecting players, and that's where they must make their decisions," he added.
"Pressure can affect some players more than others.
"We're going into games now, knowing they're all big and that there's so much at stake.
"Earlier in the season the players were playing a lot more freely. But at this stage it's all about getting three points and sometimes the football may not be as pretty."
Barry also had words of support for his manager Mancini, who he believes has the nous and the experience to lead City to the title.
He added: "In terms of mind games, there have been opportunities when our manager could have had a little bite, but he's resisted it and not really reacted.
"I think that's definitely the right thing to do. The route the manager has gone down has certainly helped the players.
"He's not added any more pressure on us before the games and the players feel very comfortable that he knows what he is doing.
"The manager is in charge of what you do, so if you see him getting involved in other things away from the pitch, it's going to make everyone unsettled.
"Inside, the manager probably feels the pressure a bit more if the results aren't going right.
"But judging by the way he's approached it and spoken to us, he's certainly not showing any signs that he's under any more pressure."
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