Pep Guardiola has admitted that Manchester City have zero room for error against Newcastle this weekend, adding: “We have to play better… the goals don’t come from Santa Claus.”
After back-to-back draws against Manchester United and West Brom, City ground out a tough 1-0 win against Southampton last weekend before a more straightforward 4-1 victory in their League Cup quarter-final against Arsenal in midweek. `
They are on a five-game unbeaten streak in the Premier League but, with a game in hand, they are still eight points off Liverpool in top spot.
Asked whether, given the difficult games against Everton and Chelsea that follow, they face a must-win fixture against Newcastle on Saturday, Guardiola said: “Absolutely, and the game before, and the next game.
“We were ninth in the table last weekend, now we are eighth, so we are still far away from the top of the league. Now we have one more game that we have to win.
“We know what we have to do. If we want to be up there, we need to start to win games, win games and win games.”
Guardiola needs City’s forwards firing again
City have only netted two goals in their last three league matches and, after a free-scoring performance against Arsenal, Guardiola was asked how important it is that they rediscover their consistency going forward. “Of course it is important, but [it’s more important that] we want to play better,” he said.
“That is what we have to do. Our game has to come back and we have to restart in the way we play. The goals don’t come from a person, from Santa Claus. They come from the way you have to play and our performance.”
Phil Foden scored his fifth goal of the season against Arsenal and, while he was lucky not to be flagged offside, Guardiola agreed that he brings something explosive to City’s attack. He also advised Foden to take his time, however, and gave some insight into where he can improve his game.
“[He] has an incredible energy as a player when he starts, but in the final decision, in the final pass, [he] has to slow down a little bit. Having that energy… he wants to win the world, he wants to eat the world and he wants to be important.
“It’s normal, but he needs the experience to be more calm in some [situations]. He plays football in the same rhythm, but football must be played in different rhythms.
“Sometimes you have to work, sometimes you need a new rhythm and sometimes you have to change the rhythm. He has to understand this.
“But that is experience… it’s not easy for a young player to [have a] rise like his rise at this club, playing important games and with the national team. It’s a moment to slow down, but that is a normal process for a young player.
“We just have to stick with him, be patient and, [if he plays] every time with patience and desire to be a better player, he will get it. There’s no doubt about this and I know that we can trust and rely on him all the time.”
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