Manchester City vs Wolves preview - Mancini calls for focus
Posted Saturday, October 29, 2011 by PA
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has enjoyed the afterglow of last week's stunning derby triumph but now claims it counts for little as he prepares his side for the visit of Wolves.
City emphatically underlined their title credentials as they thrashed champions Manchester United 6-1 at Old Trafford to move five points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League.
Yet while City supporters may continue to revel in their biggest derby win since 1926, Mancini quickly wants to turn back to the bigger picture.
The Italian said: "The feeling is good but the game is in the past now, it is history, finished. We have to focus on Wolves.
"For me it is better to win six derbies 1-0 than one 6-1.
"I enjoy it always, being Manchester City manager.
"I think we are working very well but if we want to become a top team for the next 20 years we cannot be happy only because we beat United 6-1. It is not important.
"The supporters are happy, very happy, but for us we play every three days and work every day.
"We know our job and we understand we should stay with our feet on the floor."
Wolves may have been beaten 5-2 by City at Molineux on Wednesday,but Mancini is not fooled by their poor recent form.
The Italian said: "Every time we play against Wolves we have a problem.
"Last year we lost away and here they were down 4-3 and in the last few minutes had a good chance to go 4-4.
"The problem will be if we think we can play not at 100% like (against) United, that we think we can play 50% against Wolves.
"If we don't play serious we can have a problem.
"I think if you don't always play very strong against every team you can take a risk.
"We made 11 changes because we needed to change the players for the game in the Carling Cup.
"Tomorrow will be different and three days after we have a Champions League game, so I am sure we will do seven or eight changes."
Mancini is set to revert to a full-strength line-up for the clash.
The Italian made 11 changes for the midweek Carling Cup win over the same opponents, giving the likes of Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany, Joleon Lescott, Yaya Toure, David Silva, Mario Balotelli and Sergio Aguero a night off.
Former England midfielder Owen Hargreaves is again ruled out with a minor calf problem while controversial striker Carlos Tevez is highly unlikely to be recalled.
Wolves have to quickly learn the lessons of their Carling Cup mauling by City if they want to avoid a repeat on Saturday, according to midfielder Jamie O'Hara.
Wolves led 1-0 after half an hour of the fourth round clash with Mancini's side on Wednesday night but were destroyed as City scored five times in 27 minutes either side of half-time.
Both sides will likely make wholesale changes for the league meeting but O'Hara knows City's strength in depth means Wolves cannot afford to make the same sort of errors.
He said: "The boys had a good start the other night and we were on top of them. But with teams like Manchester City, you give them one goal, they sense you are on the ropes, and they punish you.
"That's what City do. They've done it against Manchester United, put six past them, and United are no mugs.
"They have got great players in abundance. They are ruthless. They will let you play but give the ball away, or don't follow a man, and they will punish you.
"That is something we've got to be aware of on Saturday and we'll be working on that.
"But the scoreline was flattering to them. We created chances and played some good stuff and we want to take that into Saturday.
"We will probably have to defend for our lives and hope we can nick something from it."
Wolves are still without injured striker Steven Fletcher for the fixture.
Fletcher has a calf problem, but he may be fit for the next game against Swansea.
Ronald Zubar (groin) is still not match fit, while Kevin Foley (ankle) is also out.
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