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Pep Guardiola accepts it is down to him to deliver the \u201cpunch in the face\u201d that can reignite Manchester City\u2019s season.<\/p>\n
The treble winners have faltered in recent weeks after successive Premier League draws at the hands of Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham were followed by defeat at Aston Villa on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
City will hope to get back to winning ways as they travel to Luton on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Manager Guardiola said: \u201cI\u2019m able. I put a lot of stress on myself. I will help the team. I don\u2019t know how, but I will help the team to come back.<\/p>\n
\u201cWill it be enough? I don\u2019t know. The contenders are so strong but that\u2019s why I have to be ready and I have to have the feeling.<\/p>\n
\u201cI never found a football player who, when they go out on the pitch, doesn\u2019t want to do well, doesn\u2019t want to run, doesn\u2019t want to fight or doesn\u2019t want to be positive for the team or for success.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut sometimes after winning you want to try to do it, but you don\u2019t do it. For what? Because you won a lot and you need a punch in your face. You need it now.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat will be to overcome the situation. I don\u2019t know how we\u2019ll react but that is a challenge, to see if the team can do it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m the boss. I have to help them. They need me and I have to be there \u2013 the right words, the right training, the right message, the right selection, the right way to play.\u201d<\/p>\n
Guardiola used a culinary reference to explain how City\u2019s current run can be used to spice up his side\u2019s campaign and how they should savour victory if they triumph at Kenilworth Road.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you win a lot it is another macaroni pasta to eat,\u201d the Spaniard said. \u201cThe last six months just macaroni, macaroni.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to realise it\u2019s difficult. When you realise at Luton, if you win, wow. That is what it is to be in a good way and you give credit to that.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not just when you win the semi-finals of the Champions League you say how good we are.<\/p>\n
\u201cGive credit every game, have the satisfaction we have done it. We had that and we have to recover it.\u201d<\/p>\n