Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has complained about the unnecessary pressure being placed on his side after their record-equalling seven successive Premier League draws.
Hughes feels there is now a “hysteria” about the club’s failure to win and concsequently the press have begun speculating about when he will be replaced as the club’s manager.
City have thrown away the lead in four of their last five matches. Nonetheless, they remain only four points behind third placed Tottenham Hotspur with a game in hand.
“There is a little bit of hysteria around at the moment, as we have had on numerous occasions since I have been City manager,” said Hughes. “It becomes predictable because we are being judged on the amount of money we have spent.
“But we are progressing. We are in December and have only been beaten once. We have been frustrated by the number of draws but we know that as a group we will get stronger as the season progresses.
“Every team of mine is stronger in the second half of the season and I am convinced that will be the case again because of the quality and strength in depth we have.
“We are still very much where we thought we would be at this point – within one or two points of the teams above us, with a game in hand, so we are in very good shape.
“We are one step away from a semi-final, which is something this club has not been in for a number of years. We are at home, in front of our fans. It is a great opportunity for us.”
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