Source: Man_City
De Jong: Battle for fourth still on
STILL BATTLING: Nigel de Jong (right) challenges Ryan GiggsManchester City need to soak up the hurt and use it to wipe away the memory of their devastating derby defeat. Nigel de Jong typified the Blues' spirit with an uncompromising midfield display, but he was the first man to emerge from the dressing room and sound the rally. City conceded fourth place to Spurs after their shock win over Chelsea, to compound a thoroughly miserable day for the Blues. But de Jong made it plain that there is still all to play for, and believes that the race for the Champions League will boil down to Tottenham's visit to Eastlands a fortnight on Wednesday. The scrap stays at the same intensity next week, with City travelling to Arsenal and Spurs facing a daunting trip to face a re-born United at Old Trafford. De Jong says the pain of Paul Scholes' last-minute goal has to be channelled into City's remaining games. "We always try to use the hurt," said the Dutch midfielder, who was perhaps the pick of the disappointed Blues. "It's never nice to lose, especially at home to United. But we have to step our game up next week and try to get some points at Arsenal. "If we get fourth this will be forgotten - that's football. If we can get into the Champions League, no-one will be complaining about the four games against United. "We need to learn to bounce back from hurtful defeats. But people forget this is our first real season, with a lot of new players, and we are still fighting for fourth place. "Losing at home to United is going to hurt, but we are still in the fight. We have to try to bounce back and show people what a great team we are." But there was no hiding away from the feeling of desolation at yet another late, late defeat. City pain Said de Jong: "It was again in the last 20 seconds, and that means we have a really upset dressing room. It wasn't a good day - United took the points and we couldn't continue our winning streak. "United played well and had plenty of possession in the second half, but we did well on the counter and had a couple of good chances. "We have already proved that we have the belief we can score against United in the first three games against them this season. But we didn't score, and they grabbed one at the end." De Jong still feels that the home clash with Spurs on May 5 could still be the decider, with both teams suffering from fluctuating fortunes in recent weeks. "The Tottenham game looks more and more like the crunch. But Arsenal and Villa are pretty big games before it as well!" he said. "They are direct opponents for fourth place, but people are forgetting about Liverpool. They are still out there, so we need points, or one of the other teams will get the points to take fourth place." The Blues were left sifting for positives from the rubble of the defeat, and de Jong believes that the closesness of the four derbies this season is one. "It's no fluke that we have done well against United in four games this season and playing well against a top side gives you confidence," he said. "We are all new to each other, not like we have had two or three years, and still we are close to fourth with three games left." De Jong was a fierce competitor in the City midfield, but he also got forward and had a couple fo shooting chances. He later revealed he is trying to add a more attacking side to his game: "I am trying to start to develop my technical skills as well. Everyone knows I am the most defensive midfielder in the squad but sometimes you have to go for it on the attacking side as well. "Unfortunately I didn't hit the target on Saturday, but there are three more games left, so hopefully I will get a couple more chances." Will City bounce back from derby defeat? Have your say.| Submit Comments| Comments (144)| PrintWhat's this? Emaildel.icio.usDiggredditFacebookStumbleUponNewsvineGoogle BookmarksNetscapeTechnoratiWindows LiveYahoo! MyWebMa.gnolia
