Source: Telegraph
Manchester City's underperforming players must improve or leave says coach
City have lost five of their last six competitive games and face crucial fixtures against Hamburg and West Bromwich Albion in the Uefa Cup and Premier League over the next four days.
Rumblings of discontent amongst the club's supporters during Sunday's 3-1 home defeat to Fulham – prompted largely by Mark Hughes's decision to name £32.5 million forward Robinho on the bench – have increased the spotlight on the manager, despite the seemingly steadfast backing of City's Abu Dhabi owners.
Although citing fatigue as a key factor in the team's recent below-par performances, Hughes has grown increasingly frustrated by the failure of several players to perform, with Brazilian duo Robinho and Elano consistently producing sub-par displays in recent weeks.
Midfielder Stephen Ireland, arguably City's player of the season, claimed some of his team-mates needed to be "braver" following last Thursday's 3-1 defeat in Hamburg and Niedzwiecki has now issued a stark warning to those players who are failing to deliver.
He said: "It takes time for a new culture to evolve at a club. Some will embrace it and thrive, some won't and will fall by the wayside.
"Mark Hughes has tasted winning and he doesn't suffer defeats or fools gladly. We know [the owners] will not accept mediocrity. Demands are greater, and the mentality has to change. If a player comes in here with the wrong mentality then they will fall by the wayside. It is our job to either remove them or change them.
"It is important that anyone who comes to City to play is hungry to do well. We want players to be more interested in winning trophies than the cash that might be on offer.
"Players should want to be remembered for what they achieved in the game and not for the cars they drive or the mansions they live in."
City's hopes of European football next season now rest largely on beating Hamburg by at least two clear goals at Eastlands on Thursday.
A Uefa Cup exit would leave City facing an uphill battle to qualify for Europe via the Premier League.
