Manchester City are gearing up to travel to League Two side Newport County in the fifth round as they look to keep their chances of winning the quadruple alive. Pep Guardiola has taken the pre-match press conference and bigged up City’s opponents claiming that: “In some areas they are better than us.’
Guardiola said: “Normally when we play in the Premier League games, the players already know the opposition. Most of the strikers score goals, they are incredible. They use the channels, they put the ball in the box. We are going to suffer in the box because they are taller and stronger than us.
“In some areas they are better than us. I saw the game against Leicester and Boro. In the second leg they were outstanding, much better than Boro.”
It is clear where Pep is coming from given his side were dumped out the FA Cup by Wigan last season but they have demolished lower league opposition this season in cup competitions, hitting 16 goals combined past Burton and Rotherham.
“They are ready, it’s not the first time they’ve played away in a cup competition in a lower division. Away, anything can happen. Delph was sent off against Wigan last season and we went out.
“In the Carabao Cup, Burton away at home, it’s difficult to go out because we have two chances.
“The players are focused and prepared to do their own game, but the result I don’t know.
Guardiola was also asked about the Newport pitch, as rumours have surfaced that the ground staff are damaging the pitch ahead of City’s arrival:
“They play at home, they can do what they want. We have to adapt.
“The big difference in football the past and right now is the pitches.
“Now the pitch we see tomorrow, when we arrive at the stadium we are going to adapt. You don’t win anything complaining about that. We have to adapt.
“We have to adapt. We play in Premier League against Tottenham after NFL games in earlier in the season. We have to accept it. It is what it is, and that’s all.”