Source: Team_Talk
GB: Pressure off after cup win
Gareth Barry believes the demand for success at Manchester City is less intense due to last season's FA Cup triumph.[LNB] City's victory over Stoke at Wembley ended a 35-year barren run.[LNB]It also provided the spur to propel them straight into next season's Champions League rather than face a hazardous qualifier, as they had imagined.[LNB]Little surprise City have found themselves centre of attention again, even if skipper Carlos Tevez has fuelled discussion surrounding the Blues with his demand to leave.[LNB]However, Barry does not believe the glare of publicity is quite as fierce as it has been in the past.[LNB]"It was a lot worse before we won a trophy," said the 30-year-old England midfielder.[LNB]"Obviously the expectation is high but it seems a lot more settled.[LNB]"Winning the FA Cup is a reminder that we can go the full distance in a competition. That drought is finally over.[LNB]"We cannot just rest on that though. It is important that we don't keep still.[LNB]"We have to move forward to try and reach the levels other clubs have maintained over the years."[LNB]Clarity on the Tevez issue should help, although an impending move for his Argentina colleague Sergio Aguero indicates manager Roberto Mancini is preparing for the end game.[LNB]This weekend's meeting with David Beckham's Los Angeles Galaxy will provide an additional talking point too, although James Milner is just delighted his team-mates came through a very difficult trip to Vancouver with no further injuries beyond the ankle knock Mancini thinks will sideline Yaya Toure for three to four days.[LNB]"It was probably one of the worst pitches we have played on," said Milner.[LNB]"I am not blaming anyone but it is not ideal in pre-season and probably increased the risk of injury.[LNB]"There were big chunks coming out of the pitch, so turning was difficult.[LNB]"You try to put it out of your mind but when it is taking you five steps to turn round, subconsciously you are bound to think about it.[LNB]"Yaya has got injured and if it is not too bad, maybe we were a bit lucky to get away with it."
