Angry Mancini vows to ring the changes at City

Roberto Mancini is ready to axe those Manchester City players he believes do not have the stomach for a fight.

Mancini was furious at the limp manner of City’s 3-1 defeat at Southampton at the weekend, a result which leaves the reigning champions 12 points behind league leaders Manchester United with 12 games left.

The City boss said he will make significant changes for the FA Cup fifth round visit of Leeds on Sunday.

He said: “I will change players next week. I only want players who are ready for the fight in the last 12 games.

“I am very angry with a lot of my players, and very disappointed at the performance, because it is impossible to play the way we did.

“We didn’t fight for every ball. We can’t always win by playing well — that is normal. Sometimes we play well and win, but you also need to be able to win because you fight for every ball, and fight against an opponent who also wants to win the game.

“Every team that plays against us treats it like a Champions League final, but we should know this, it is normal.

“We now have 12 games left, need to do well in the Premier League, and we have the FA Cup — there are games left and we can do better.

“We need to finish the season the way we did last year.”