Source: Daily_Mail
Roberto Mancini challenges Mario Balotelli to stand-in for Carlos Tevez against West Ham
Roberto MancinI has challenged Mario Balotelli and the rest of his Manchester City stars to prove they are not a one-man team in Carlos Tevez's absence at Upton Park on Saturday. [LNB]Tevez is suspended for the clash with his old club West Ham, and City have only won one Barclays Premier League game since January in which their talismanic captain has not scored - at West Bromwich last month when £23million summer signing Balotelli struck twice before being sent off. [LNB] Step up: Mancini is looking towards to likes of Balotelli to do the business for City in the absence of Carlos Tevez[LNB]The Argentine's haul of 10 league goals this season is only one fewer than that of his team-mates combined, and Mancini insists it is time they produced a few more. [LNB]Hammer blow: Tevez will not play against his old club[LNB]'It's important,' said the City boss. [LNB]'We must improve and it's important we start to score through the other players - Mario, Yaya Toure, Jo and Adam Johnson. [LNB]'Carlos is a fantastic player, one of the most important in Europe, or the world maybe. [LNB]'But I think it's time we started to win without him.' [LNB]Balotelli is expected to lead the line at Upton Park and Mancini admits the Italian striker is still adjusting to the physicality of the Premier League. [LNB]'It's very different to the football in Italy,' he said. [LNB]'If he can improve in these situations he can become a strong player.'[LNB] Tevez is at Man City for the long haul, says Eastlands boss ManciniTevez eyes silver lining for Man City as skipper says one trophy will spark haulDzeko's snub earns warning from McClaren as Man City circleMANCHESTER CITY FC
