Source: Daily_Mail
Aleksandar Kolarov warns Stoke: We City slickers won't roll over if you hit us hard
Fighting fire with fire: Manchester City's Serbian defender Aleksandar Kolarov doesn't fear Stoke's physical game[LNB]Aleksandar Kolarov is convinced Manchester City can take Stoke on at their own game this weekend.[LNB]After Sunday's handsome win at Fulham, City face an altogether different challenge at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.[LNB]Three visits there in the past two seasons have yielded nothing more than a solitary Premier League point and after three successive wins, Tony Pulis' men will be confident of maintaining that impressive record.[LNB]But Kolarov realises that City cannot afford to lose the momentum that has now seem them clamber to within three points of the summit.[LNB]It is therefore imperative Roberto Mancini's men match Stoke's brawn, then use their superior passing game to get a result.[LNB]The challenge is one Kolarov relishes. And the tough-tackling Serb is adamant there are enough similarly-minded characters in the Blues dressing room to gain a positive result.[LNB]'I am fine with the physical side of the game here,' he insisted.[LNB]'Stoke especially play hard and are a very physical team. But we are strong as well. We can match them and battle as well as play football.[LNB]'I have seen a lot of their games on TV so I know how they play. They do very well at home but I think we are better than them.'[LNB]Meanwhile, City defender Vincent Kompany is demanding a repeat performance of the Fulham performance and is also braced for a physical encounter.[LNB]The Belgian said: 'We have Stoke next and I wouldn't say they were any less difficult than Fulham because both are difficult teams to play against, particularly on their own ground.[LNB]'It will be a tough, physical challenge but we will go into the game in great confidence and really go for the win.[LNB]'We'll be prepared because Stoke gave us a number of tough encounters last season and they were up the challenge each time. They are also on a good run of form at present so it will be a real test, but if we play to our maximum in defence, midfield and attack we are a match for any team.[LNB]'We can't slip or only perform the way we did against Fulham every now and then - we need to be consistent until the last kick of the season.[LNB] Liverpool and Juventus set to go head-to-head in bid to sign Germany striker Mario GomezMan City do battle with Chelsea for PSG youngster BahebeckAdebayor claims Juventus loan deal but Man City misfit may be denied moveTevez will fire us to the title! Silva sends warning to Manchester City's big rivals Watch out, Mancini! Hero Rosler's back in Manchester and looking for a jobMANCHESTER CITY FC
