ROWE TELLS RED-FACED ROBINS TO FIGHT BACK
Championship: Tomorrow, 12 noon
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TOMMY ROWE says Bristol City’s players have been at each other’s throats after back-to-back home defeats.
City’s losses to Millwall and Blackburn have seen Lee Johnson’s side drop out of the Championship play-off places.
And midfielder Rowe, whose Robins’ side travel to Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow, said: “We are honest players and we look at it to see what we have done wrong.
“We accept the criticism, and we have arguments with each other.
“You have got to have the arguments because it shows that you care and you do not accept losing.
“It is not that we lost – because we know we are going to lose games this season – it is the way that we lost.”
City have lost only two of their last 11 away games, and Rowe added: “Our vision is to be a top-six side.
“We will always push for that, but it is difficult to put your finger on what actually it is just at the minute.
“We know that we have got it and we have seen it in games and we have seen it in great performances with lots of goals.
“We had two home games and we were fully expected to go out there and perform and get the results.
“And when we are below par of what we and the fans and the manager expects then it hurts.
“So not for one moment will we accept it.”
vKingPower Stadium, 5.30pm
PEP GUARDIOLA says he must earn the right to a new contract at Manchester City – despite his record-breaking achievements.
Guardiola’s deal runs out in 18 months, but he has yet to agree a new one, unlike his Liverpool rival Jurgen Klopp, who has extended until 2024.
Despite leading City to back-toback Premier League titles, with 100 and 98 points, and a historic domestic Treble last term, the Spaniard says he still has to prove himself to the club’s hierarchy.
But with a third straight title out of reach – City trail leaders
Liverpool by 14 points – and the loss of assistant boss Mikel Arteta to Arsenal, Guardiola faces a major challenge amid rumours he could choose to walk away at the end of the campaign.
Although the 48-year-old is revered as one of the world’s best coaches, he claims to be under pressure to deliver – and pointed to the raft of recent managerial sackings to back his point.
“I have one more year and always I have to deserve to extend my contract,” said Guardiola.
“Managers, we have to get results, and at this club you have to win.
“In football, and we’ve spoken about this, the situation has changed a lot. Managers today, even in this country, they change a lot. In just four or five months, how many managers have been sacked? So that’s why we have to be patient and do our job.
“We still have six months, plus 12 months, so a lot of time, so we have to have patience.
“We’ve an incredible relationship with the board, with the people who decide, and we will take the decision that’s best for the club.
“I think, in football, one-and-a-half years is a long time for the managers, a lot of time, so we have to see altogether how it works, how it’s going on.
“I said many times what an incredible and good time I have here, and I would like to stay as long as possible.
“So that is my desire, but I will only be sure if it’s the best for the