Man City won´t blame fixture: Lescott

Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott insists his side will not use their hectic schedule as an excuse for poor performances.

City face two games a week until Europe’s next international break at the end of March, and Roberto Mancini’s men will be even busier if they happen to draw their fifth round FA Cup tie with Aston Villa on Wednesday.

Should that eventuality arise, City would face a replay sandwiched between a Saturday Premier League match with Wigan and an away game in the Ukraine against Dynamo Kiev in the Europa League round of 16.

But despite Mancini lashing out at the fixture backlog, Lescott said the club would not be looking to use it as an excuse.

“We are not looking for any sympathy,” Lescott said. “We want to play in these games.”

“We want to win every game in every competition. We recognise that is not going to happen but we still have to try.”

“Of course it is possible to keep pushing for the top four and win trophies. Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal do that every year and we don’t look at ourselves as any different to those clubs.”

“We know it is going to be tough. But if you are at the top or going to be one of the best, you will reach semi-finals and quarter-finals of competitions, which just means more games.”

“It is going to be a long season but that is how we want it.”

City’s next match is a Premier League clash against Fulham at the City of Manchester Stadium on Sunday.