Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admits his side have problems which they must solve to ensure they get back to winning ways.
City host Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham, a club who have caused Guardiola’s side many problems in previous encounters.
Tottenham famously knocked City out of the Champions League in 2019 on their journey to the final and Guardiola’s have lost three times in their last four Premier League games against Tottenham.
City have drawn their last two league games, against Chelsea and Liverpool, and Guardiola says there are things that need to be fixed in order to get back to winning ways.
He said: “Every manager’s job is to say what is really happening. I say things because I feel it at that moment.
“We have to look in front of the mirror. For example, we conceded four goals against Chelsea and we conceded two avoidable goals against Leipzig.
“You can say it doesn’t matter but if we don’t solve it we’re going to lose games.”
Having won the treble last season, questions about complacency among Manchester City players and fans have been posed but Guardiola believes that both the players and the supporters are still hungry to succeed despite their recent glory.
“I don’t have the feeling that we played as if it’s ‘okay’ and ‘we’re already top of the group’ on Tuesdasy” Guardiola said, dismissing complacency following their Champions League game against Leipzig.
“We want you to enjoy it and have fun, and that depends on us.
“You have to understand it’s not normal to win the Treble or to win five Premier Leagues in six seasons. You have to understand that bad moments might come and you have to be there.”
Guardiola also said that he believes the fans would stick by them should a less successful period occur.
“I’m pretty sure they will be there because it is a club that comes from being in the middle of the table not fighting for the titles and they were there all the time.”
Despite the absence of Kevin De Bruyne, City will be boosted with the return of John Stones to the matchday squad.
“We did quite well otherwise we wouldn’t be where we are but the news that he’s coming back is really good.”
