Pep Guardiola says Manchester City are feeling better but still can't believe the Premier League champions are getting their mojo back.
City have won their last three games; After two league games and Saturday's 8-0 thrashing of neighbors Salford City, they snapped a disappointing run of just one win in 13 FA Cup games.
They travel to Brantford tomorrow night and Guardiola believes the clash at the Gtech Community Stadium will provide a good barometer of the team's progress.
He said, “We won three games. Before, it was impossible to beat one.
“Now we've won three games and that helps us. But the reality is that the difference between the Premier League and League Two is that, for various reasons, you beat the last team you played against.
“We have done well; But we have to watch who we are. But the spirit is better.
PEP 💬 Of course. We won three games. Before, it was impossible to beat one, now I beat three. It helps us… morale is better. We have a very difficult game (against Brentford). Thomas (Frank) and his team are always creating a lot of problems. They are amazing… pic.twitter.com/Uc02SWKDgx
— Man City (@ManCity) January 13 2025
“Tomorrow we have a very difficult game. It's a team that's always creating a lot of problems with what's happened in past seasons. They have been with Thomas (Frank) for a long time.
“They are a very good team but at the same time we know what we are playing for.”
Walker has no updates.
The victory overshadowed the weekend that Kyle Walker asked to leave City to continue his career overseas.
Two Milan sides are reportedly leading the race for the England right-back, but Guardiola refused to comment on Walker's future today, saying: “No, No news. I will decide after training (whether he will play against Brantford).
“Nothing else to add. I have no news. Brentford is on my mind.”
Pep says the injuries have made him reconsider the move.
Manchester City have agreed a deal with Lens for defender Abdukodir Khusanov, while Palmeiras' teenage centre-back Vitor Reis and Eintracht Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush are also targets.
Guardiola is not keen to discuss transfer matters but admits injury could force him into the market.
“It's (players wanting to come back from injury),” he said. “If only, we will not enter the transfer market this season.” Not at all. And we wouldn't be in the position we were. But we struggled all season.
“We've had a lot of problems, especially in the back four, and that's why we're thinking about what the club is going to do in this transfer window or this summer.
“From the beginning of the season in the back and midfield. The positions in front are more or less comfortable. But he struggled throughout the season.