PUT THE BITE ON ‘EM
Guardiola desperate to savage underdogs
PEP GUARDIOLA has urged Manchester City to show more bite against lower league underdogs.
Guardiola’s men are riding the crest of a wave at the top of the Premier League.
But despite destroying top flight defences at will, they have struggled to beat sides from the Championship in the cups under the former Barcelona boss.
City needed a replay to beat Huddersfield in the FA Cup last season, penalties to get past Wolves in the Carabao Cup in October and were pushed all the way over two legs by Bristol City this month.
City remain on course for a historic quadruple haul of trophies, but the dream for Guardiola (right) could be over at Cardiff tomorrow in the FA Cup fourth round.
Guardiola has done his homework on his opponents after travelling to Mansfield to see Cardiff win their third round replay.
“I’m professional,” he said. “I saw them and saw the way they play.
“I have a lot of respect for what they do, because they do it well. I spoke to my colleagues and they know Neil Warnock.
“They are second or third and playing away it will be tough.
“We have spoken about them and we ® know it will be complicated. Championship teams don’t have the pressure, so it’s perfect for them, it’s a party or maybe a good opportunity. “They don’t have the pressure like Premier League teams. It will be tough, they are in top form, a team getting good results. “They are strong at set pieces, aggressive one versus one, so we have to avoid contact and defend high and use our quality to try to play our game.” Guardiola hailed City star David Silva, who has won the last 24 games he has played in despite having to travel back and forth to Spain to be at the bedside of his son, who was born prematurely. Guardiola added: “That’s why he’s playing every time, because he has such a good record. He’s a special guy and when he can, plays. When it’s not possible, for his son, it’s important for him to be with his family. “David is so important but we try to make them all feel important. He’s a huge personality, he plays especially in the bad moments.”