Blues boss disagrees with United counterpart Ferguson, even though his
men just need to beat QPR to be champions - and even claims he isn't
excited!
Alex Ferguson claimed Manchester City have two hands on the Premier
League trophy, but Roberto Mancini says they have just two FINGERS on
it.
City manager Mancini is wary of easing up at the final hurdle,
but does admit the pressure has been lifted and that his men just need
to get the job done in their final match of the season.
Mark
Hughes, the Italian’s predecessor at Eastlands who was controversially
fired to make room for him, will have his QPR players fired up for a
game they need something from to secure their Premier League status.
Mancini
has tried to quell the euphoria building among City's fans, who have
waited 44 years to win the title - even claiming he is “not excited”.
The
Italian said: “We have two fingers on the trophy. But it is not enough,
because we still have one more game, and it is a difficult game.
“We
have managed to keep the players’ feet on the ground. We did it before
we played United, and we did it last week before we played Newcastle.
“We
won’t change anything because if we don’t keep our concentration and
prepare well for the game, it will end up being very difficult.
“I
am not excited. I am happy about the result on Sunday, but that has
finished and it has changed nothing.
You'd hate to see him excited! Mancini takes the Newcastle
result in stride
Stu Forster/Getty
“If we don’t beat QPR, beating United and winning at Newcastle will
count for nothing.”
However Mancini, who steered Inter Milan to
the Serie A title in three successive years from 2006-08, conceded: “My
feeling is good after the Newcastle result, and so is the feeling of the
players, but we need to play the QPR game in that mood.
“They are
playing to avoid relegation, so it will be a tough game.
Playing the heel? Former City boss Hughes' QPR could deny
them the title
Julian Finney/Getty
“We need to improve.
"Even when we win, we need to continue to
work hard because that is the only way to get better. We have good
players who are also good men, but we need to get better.
“We
don’t have pressure. Leading up to Newcastle, maybe we had some
pressure, but not now, because we just need to play one game and we just
need to play as we did on Sunday.
“It’s in our hands. If we beat
QPR, we will probably win it.
“We just want the fans to keep doing
what they have been doing - don’t change a thing.”
Mansour window-shopping probable new Citizens' acquisition
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