Guardiola sure he can count on fans

PEP Guardiola thinks City fans will put their understandable upset at the club on hold tomorrow to support the team ‘unconditionally’ against Arsenal.

Guardiola used another press conference yesterday to call for fans to help make an impact as his team take on Arsenal and Aston Villa in the space of four days at the Etihad aiming to make serious inroads in the Premier League title race.

The City coach appreciated the noise in the stadium for the Manchester derby and wants a repeat for the rest of the season.

However, while Guardiola counts on the value of the supporters to the team, the club wants fans to pull more weight financially. Amid a backdrop of record profits and revenues, season ticket rises were emailed to supporters last week with an average increase of five per cent that led to all four fan groups to strongly react against it.

Nobody from the club has spoken publicly about the price rises and how none of the supporter groups have been listened to as the club press on with season ticket renewals at a higher rate.

Guardiola said that he ‘absolutely’ understood the upset around the ‘sensitive issue’ but was confident that fans would continue to back the players.

“The people will forget at the start of the game and will support us unconditionally,” he said. “The team is the team.

“About [season tickets], I’m not involved. I respect all opinions. I know it is a sensitive issue but I know that tomorrow they will be with us unconditionally. The club will say what they have to say but I cannot say more.”