Barry says that players united and behind Mancini at Man City
Published:Gareth Barry insists that the Manchester City squad are still fully behind manager Roberto Mancini as they look to mount a Premier League title challenge this season.
After a summer of hefty spending which saw the likes of Yaya Toure, James Milner, David Silva and Mario Balotelli arrive at Eastlands, the club made a promising start to the season.
However, some small cracks have materialised of late and they have drifted out to 14/1 to win the Premier League after back-to-back defeats at home to Arsenal and away at Wolves.
Alongside the dip in form on the field, there have been reports of some rifts off the pitch, with Mancini said to have clashed with stars including Carlos Tevez.
But Barry feels that the players are all still working towards the same goal and will continue to give their all for Premier League success.
He said: “The truth is that there is a group of players working together, working hard and working for the boss.
“Everyone in that dressing room and that training complex wants to do their best for Manchester City.”
Mancini’s men have now slipped to fourth in the Premier League table and are now eight points adrift of current leaders Chelsea.
It is widely considered though that money cannot buy instant success and that it would take time for all of the new recruits to gel together and get used to the playing styles of each other.
Manchester City finished just outside of the Champions League places in fifth last season and potentially any improvement would be welcomed.
Although finishing fourth would be the minimum expectation, it would be accepted as a season of growth, as long as a more prolonged title challenge awaits in the upcoming campaign.
Chelsea are the 4/9 favourites to win the Premier League and are five points clear of Arsenal and Manchester United at present. See the full Premier League winners betting odds market.
