Pellegrini targets City surge

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini wants to see the Blues hit a hot streak on the back of their mauling of Sheffield Wednesday in the Capital One Cup.

Prior to triumphing 7-0 in the midweek tie at the Etihad Stadium, City had gone four games in all competitions without a win.

And ahead of Saturday’s Barclays Premier League trip to Hull, Pellegrini’s reigning champions are sixth in the table, with their five top-flight fixtures so far having yielded eight points – five fewer than leaders Chelsea.

The Chilean insists he is not worried about the start City have made to the campaign, but at the same time he has no doubt they need to stop dropping points.

Speaking on Friday, Pellegrini said of the handsome cup victory: “I think it was a very useful match for our team.

“We were not scoring too many goals at home. In the previous four games, we didn’t win.

“We were not playing bad but we were not winning, and it was important to win in the way we did.

“I hope this can continue in the future, especially tomorrow against Hull because in the Premier League we cannot drop many points.”

He added: “For all the teams, it is not good to drop points near the beginning because finally you could win or lose the Premier League by just one point.

“But for the moment, I think we are not worried.”

City have Sergio Aguero and David Silva back available for Saturday’s contest after knee and ankle problems respectively, along with Pablo Zabaleta following the completion of his suspension.

Samir Nasri and Fernando (both groin) and Stevan Jovetic (hamstring) remain sidelined.

Frank Lampard will be looking to continue his fine form for City, which has brought three goals in the last two games.

The 36-year-old former England and Chelsea midfielder’s loan to City from their American sister outfit New York City has been a hot topic of conversation, with Pellegrini saying it is “not impossible” that the champions may look to extend the deal beyond January.

Lampard said he will “see what happens”, stressing no talks of that nature had yet taken place, while New York City boss Jason Kreis has been quoted as saying “there is no truth to that rumour at all” with regard to any possible extension.

Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who had already questioned the deal, did so again on Friday.

Asked about that and whether he could understand why managers might not like the situation, Pellegrini said: “No – I don’t analyse what other managers say.”

And asked if he could clarify the situation, the 61-year-old said: “Yes – it is very easy.

“Lampard is playing and he has scored three goals in the last two games. In this moment, he is a very important player for us.

“He will stay with us until January, and we will see after what happens in the future.

“It is not a problem we have to analyse at the moment. We are in September.”

He added: “I don’t think it is strange (people asking about Lampard) because he is a very important player.

“He was a very important England player, he is a very important player for the Premier League and I hope all of your questions are because you want to continue seeing him here.”

Another midfielder who has impressed of late for City is James Milner, who has made his first three starts of the season in the last four matches.

The England international – out of contract next summer – was quoted earlier this week as saying that while talks over a new deal had taken place and he hopes to stay with City, his priority is getting a decent amount of game time.

Regarding that, Pellegrini said: “I think what James said is what every player would say. All players want to play more games.

“James is an important player for our squad, and he knows exactly what I think about that.

“So I don’t think we are going to have any problems with him. He is always involved – maybe some games from the start and some as a substitute, but he is always playing.”