No question of City easing up, says Platt

Manchester City have no intention of coasting towards the FA Cup final, first-team coach David Platt has promised.

City are all but out of contention to win the Premier League but have a firm grip on second place and could be tempted to ease up before facing Wigan at Wembley next month.

But aside from the fact the runners-up spot is not guaranteed, City feel they have standards to maintain and having finally hit top form, they do not want to let up.

City are back in Premier League action three days after their energy-sapping cup semi-final win over Chelsea as they host relegation-threatened Wigan in a final dress rehearsal at the Etihad Stadium tonight.

Platt said: “Rather than dramatising the situation, it is about finishing the season as strongly as we can do.

“You would probably put money on us finishing second now and hopefully we will win the FA Cup.

“But we still have to play a good team and anything can happen in the final. We have our own expectations and our own expectations are very high.”

City went into their semi-final on the back of an impressive and psychologically important derby win over Premier League leaders Manchester United at Old Trafford. Prior to that they demolished Newcastle 4-0.

There is a feeling that since conceding defeat to United in the title race — they trail by 15 points — they have started playing without pressure.

But Platt said: “I don’t think it is a case of that, the pressure is still on to win football games.”

City are unlikely to risk playmaker David Silva against Wigan as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury. Micah Richards, Maicon and Jack Rodwell are all back in contention after lengthy lay-offs as Mancini considers changes.

Sergio Aguero has been at the centre of controversy since the semi-final following a two-footed challenge on David Luiz in the closing stages, but he will not face retrospective action.

With referee Chris Foy having awarded a free-kick, the FA feels there is no scope to review the matter.

Platt said: “It is a situation that has gone. I am not surprised he has got off. They are the rules, the officials saw it.”

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez, meanwhile, has insisted there are no prima donnas among the FA Cup finalists’ squad and everyone understands the needs of the club take priority over individual concerns.

The Spaniard has discovered a successful formula in the last month and ever since their quarter-final victory at Everton he has kept faith in the same players.

In the last five matches he has made just one change — replacing goalkeeper Joel Robles for previous first-choice Ali Al Habsi for last weekend’s Wembley win over Milwall.

He has been rewarded with four wins — two in the cup — and a draw, which has crucially contributed seven points to their relegation battle.

And while it has meant the likes of club captain Gary Caldwell and Al Habsi have been sidelined, Martinez insists the players understand it is for the greater good.

“Competition for places has stepped up a percentage, the level of training has increased and we have been unbeaten in the league since then,” said the Spaniard.

“Players are desperate to help the team. There are no individual cases, from now until the end of the season it is about what we can do as a football club.