No quarter will be given
PUBLISHED ONJuly 04, 2014 6:00 PM
Swansea defender Ben Davies has warned Manchester City they are targeting another "big scalp", when the two sides meet at the Liberty Stadium this weekend.
Given Michael Laudrup's men have been safe for some time and City's title defence is now over, there will certainly not be the same amount of importance on the encounter as in last March, when a late Luke Moore goal secured a crucial victory for the home side.
City coach David Platt already said yesterday that they will not ease up in their remaining Premier League games, even if they secure second place.
Davies urged his teammates to take that up as a challenge, and said there will be no let up from the League Cup winners as they look to respond from the 2-0 defeat by Chelsea and finally bring to an end their six-match winless streak.
"Manchester City is one we have to go into and hope to get something out of as otherwise this run will carry on," Davies said.
"Beating City last season was probably our best Premier League win, it was one of the big scalps we have had. There is no reason why we can't go and do it again.
"We are a confident bunch of players and I am sure if we work hard, then we can get something out of the game."
City may not have defended their title but they are determined to claim the runners-up spot and win the FA Cup to put a healthier gloss on this season's campaign.
With a six-point advantage over third-placed Chelsea, they look well on course to achieve the first aim, but Platt insisted there will be no slackening off with the second task in mind.
City travel to Swansea and host West Bromwich Albion, before taking on Wigan in the FA Cup Final at Wembley on May 11.
Platt, the first-team coach at the Etihad Stadium, said: "I have been saying for weeks that this football club is obligated to win football matches.
"If we can secure second place within the next two or three games that won't put any kind of slant on our last two games, at Reading and at home against Norwich.
"We want to win football matches, that is what the players want to do.
"They don't like getting beaten, which they did at Tottenham last week, even though we controlled the game for large periods.
No doubts
"We have no doubts. We don't need the stimulus and motivation of going for trophies to go out there and perform."
Davies is looking forward to the visit of City.
The defender, who turned 20 last week, had been tipped for a place on the Professional Footballers' Association Young Player of the Year Award, which went to fellow Welshman Gareth Bale, who also scooped the main prize.
He just intends to keep himself focused on delivering another consistent campaign.
"I wasn't disappointed not to be on the list because I didn't expect anything," he said.
"If I was on the shortlist, it would have been a huge bonus.
"I just want to keep impressing the manager and keep working hard at my job.
"I will take wherever comes with that if it happens." - Wire Services.
This article was first published on JUNE 3, 2014.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.