EXCLUSIVE
Kyle Walker admits Man City fear factor is shrinking amid title race setbacks
Kyle Walker has admitted that teams are having more of a go against Manchester City amid a dip in form.
City are currently in Saudi Arabia competing for the Club World Cup where they will face Fluminese in the final on Friday, an honour the club has never won.
3
But back home, Pep Guardiola has a problem on his hands after his side dropped down to fourth following a shock 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium last weekend where they threw away a two-goal lead.
Speaking to Ben Jacobs on behalf of talkSPORT, Walker has admitted that the fear factor at the Etihad is evaporating with every disappointing result.
He told talkSPORT: "Teams are thinking now that they can come and play against us and do what they do, which is full credit to them.
"I think, especially the Liverpool, Tottenham and Palace games, we are always defending.
READ MORE ON CITY
"That is not me sticking up for the defence, we are not killing games off like we used to where we'd get three or four goals. Now we are defending on a knife-edge.
"But listen, us as defenders need to deal with that pressure because sometimes we need to hang in games and save the day sometimes."
The Palace draw has not been the only time they have lost ground in the title race from winning positions, drawing against Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham in recent weeks.
City also lost to Aston Villa, who are this year's high-flyers and are four points ahead of the champions.
Most read in Football
3
3
It has led to criticism of Guardiola's men, including Walker, who insists the critics only help spur him on.
The England international, who has adopted the captain's armband in recent weeks, added: "I am always going to get heat if I am not doing something right. I get scrutinised, that has been my whole career.
"But it gives me that fire to keep going. You do see it, I've had a lot of criticism from the fans about being captain and it is all my fault.
"We are a team and it's a team game. I have said it continuously throughout my career that if I wanted to play a solo sport I'd play tennis or golf.
"I feel that being one of the most experienced players and the captain, I will have to take that burden and it is something that I will have to carry on my shoulders."
City will not be back in Premier League action until after Boxing Day, giving the rest of the pack a chance to pull away for now.
Arsenal are already five points ahead sitting top of the table with Liverpool a point behind the the Gunners.
But after winning three Premier League titles in a row, there is no discounting this City side, which still arguably has the best squad in the country.
Topics