LONDON (UK) – Pep Guardiola, the coach of Manchester City, urged his players to work as a team to bring back their fluid style of playing, adding that they should not expect Santa Claus to bring goals as Christmas gifts.
The team have scored only 19 goals in 13 Premier League matches during this season, which is in sharp contrast to their earlier three campaigns when they achieved 37, 40 and 42.
“Our game has to come back because the goals don’t come as a present from Santa Claus. They come from our performances,” he said in a press meeting.
“There is no doubt about our mentality. We have to refresh our philosophy and there are things to readjust.
“The challenge right now is to score more goals and we will improve our level game by game.”
Placed eighth in the league chart, City will play Newcastle United on Saturday before travelling to Goodison Park on Monday to lock horns with Everton.
Guardiola said it was important to win matches during the festive season as his side trail Liverpool by eight points.
The team exhibited signs of returning to their glorious form when they clinched a 4-1 victory over Arsenal in the League Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday. In the game, academy graduate Phil Foden netting a goal and an assist in the second half.
The coach hailed the 20-year-old as one of the most talented youngsters he has coached.
“He has incredible energy as a player. But in the final decision, for the final pass, you have to slow down a bit,” Guardiola said.
