Source: Daily_Mail
Nigel de Jong insists new arrivals have given Manchester City belief
Nigel de Jong insists Roberto Mancini's spending spree at Manchester City this summer has raised everybody's game at Eastlands and insists it showed after the 3-0 win over Liverpool.[LNB]The 25-year-old Netherlands midfielder revealed expectations have been raised at City following the arrivals of David Silva, Yaya Toure, Jerome Boateng, Aleksandar Kolarov, Mario Ballotelli, James Milner by boss Mancini.[LNB]But De Jong insists the increase in competition for places has only made the the players believe that they can challenge for the Barclays Premier League title this season.[LNB] Get in! Nigel de Jong celebrates after Gareth Barry's opener for Manchester City[LNB] He said: 'There is no doubt that the intensity has upped in training with thearrival of the new players. Everyone is working and fighting for eachother. There are lots of positive things in this team.'You have to raise your game when players like we have signed come inthe group but it is not just them it is younger ones too pushing fromunderneath. There are lots of things to be positive about but we mustnot get carried away with one result.[LNB]'What this win has done is make sure we have made a positive start just like United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs.'[LNB]DeJong believes the rollercoaster win over Premier League rivalsLiverpool has set the standard of what the team needs to achieve everyweek.[LNB] Impressive: James Milner holds off Steven Gerrard on his City debut at Eastlands[LNB]'Monday's performance was one that should set the tone for the season,' he said. 'It is not often that anyone beats Liverpool 3-0. I think you could tell we were all so determined.[LNB]'The game was a lot of fun to play in and I am sure it was great to watch too. We are a happy team at the moment.'[LNB]The Dutchman hailed the debut of Milner following his arrival from Aston Villa but also praised team-mates Gareth Barry and Yaya Toure.[LNB]He added: 'James Milner had a fine debut, Gareth Barry scored a good goal and Yaya and I did what we do. Anyone would agree we have enough quality in our whole team to be challenging now what we have to show is that we have the mentality too. We want to win this league. That's the ambition but to do that we have to hit these standards every week.'[LNB] MANCHESTER CITY FC
