29 September,2012 10:12 AM IST | | AFP
City, while unbeaten have begun their title defence in stuttering fashion with two wins and three draws from their opening five matches leaving then four points behind leaders Chelsea ahead of today's potentially awkward match away to seventh-placed Fulham.
But City manager Mancini was in buoyant mood when he faced the media in Manchester yesterday.
Roberto Mancini
"You need only to stay calm and work hard," said the Italian, when asked about his expensively-assembled team's slow start.
"We will win the title even though it is more difficult (in the) second year," he added.
There has been little evidence so far from City's players to back up Mancini's bold prediction.
Whereas last season they pipped neighbours Manchester United to the tile on the back of 17 clean sheets, City's defence has leaked seven goals in the first five games, and have yet to record a shut-out. The 4-2 defeat by top-flight rivals Aston Villa in the English League Cup on Tuesday was the first time City had conceded more than three goals in a game for three years. - u00a0
