Bolton V Man City at Reebok Stadium - Match Preview

Last updated : 21 August 2011 By DSG

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini would be happy for his side to win 1-0 every week - but believes they must keep hunting out goals if they are to challenge for the title this season.

City, whose football has often been characterised as cautious since Mancini took over in December 2009, opened their Barclays Premier League campaign with a 4-0 thumping of Swansea at the Etihad Stadium on Monday night.

It is the kind of dynamic performance the Italian wants to see more of.

"For me, if we win 38 games 1-0, it is okay, but this is impossible," Mancini said. "It is clear that now we have more offensive players and it is important they all play and maybe that we take more risks than last year.

"This year, we need to score more goals if we want to win the Premier League."

Mancini has splashed out a club record #38million on Argentina striker Sergio Aguero - scorer of two goals on his debut against Swansea - this summer, and a deal to sign France midfielder Samir Nasri from Arsenal is thought to be nearing conclusion.

The manager is assembling a formidable-looking attack, although he remains keen to stress the importance of forwards tracking back.

"In the Premier League, you need the striker to work for the team because otherwise, it is difficult," Mancini said.

"Wayne Rooney for Manchester United - he scores the goals, but he also works for the team. Didier Drogba is the same for Chelsea.

"This is important - that the mentality is good and that the striker attacks, and then after, he helps his team-mates."

City striker Carlos Tevez could be set to make his first appearance of the season on Sunday.

Although the 27-year-old handed in a transfer request this summer, a move is yet to materialise and after returning to training with the Blues last week, he will be considered for the match at the Reebok Stadium.

Mancini must also decide whether or not to hand a first start to Aguero following his sensational cameo as a substitute on Monday, while midfielder Nigel de Jong will be assessed after picking up a foot injury.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle is confident his side can compete on the pitch with big-spending City even if they cannot hope for similar off it.

City have spent heavily again in the summer bringing in record signing Aguero, Gael Clichy and Stefan Savic for a combined #51million with Arsenal's Nasri set to join for around #22million.

By contrast all Wanderers have spent about #2million on Darren Pratley, Nigel Reo-Coker, Tyrone Mears and Chris Eagles.

But Coyle is confident when it comes to kick-off his side have enough to cause problems for City boss Mancini, whom the Scot has become friendly with since his arrival in the Premier League.

"We are at the Reebok and we have to make sure we give a big performance. Is this a game we can win, absolutely?" he said. "If we give our maximum then I believe we can go and win.

"We do all the preparation work in pre-season knowing there will be a big start to the season but our priority is on Manchester City who, you have seen in the last week, have supreme quality.

"But that is why we love playing against the best teams, players and managers - and Manchester City affords you that opportunity. They are a team which is really evolving because of what they spent.

"Roberto has put the pieces of the jigsaw together to have a formidable team.

"They will get the ultimate respect but we also know when we are at our very best, regardless of who we are playing, we can win.

"I don't know what they have spent, what is it #300million? In my 18 months in charge I've spent #3million in transfers.

"It might look a bit of a mis-match on Sunday but come the game I can assure you it won't be."

Bolton expect to have new signing Tuncay Sanli available.

The Turkey international, who has joined on a season-long loan from Wolfsburg, has been in Germany sorting out the paperwork on his work permit but it is expected to be processed in time.

Midfielder Ricardo Gardner will have a fitness test on a groin injury.



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Source: DSG

Source: DSG