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Page last updated at 07:12 GMT, Wednesday, 5 May 2010 08:12 UK

Spurs boss Redknapp says pressure is on Man City

Premier League
Venue: City of Manchester Stadium
Date: Wednesday, 5 May 2010 Kick-off: 2000 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, local radio and Sky Sports 1

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Spurs deserve fourth spot - Redknapp

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp says the pressure is on Manchester City ahead of Wednesday's potentially decisive clash in the race for fourth place.

A win will put Spurs in the Champions League, but if City triumph they will be favourites to secure the final spot.

"At the start of the year we felt if anyone was going to break in the top four, it would be City," he said.

But City boss Roberto Mancini countered: "There is no pressure. It is a football match, not a war."

Rather than feel burdened by the pressure of the occasion at a sell-out Eastlands, Mancini has urged his players to see the game as an opportunity to "change the history of the club".

"Being in the Champions League would allow us to progress. It is important for the club and everyone here," added Mancini.

"Wednesday's game will probably decide where we finish this season. If we win we have probably a 70-80% of getting fourth."

Victory for Spurs will guarantee them at least fourth place in the Premier League, and a first appearance in the qualifying stages of the Champions League.

Meanwhile, a draw would still leave Spurs' destiny in their own hands for the final-day trip to Burnley. But if City win, they will travel to West Ham on the final day knowing that matching Spurs' result will see them finish in the top four.

Man City must win - Roberto Mancini

Mancini insists that even if his side fail to overhaul Tottenham, his summer transfer targets should not be put off joining City.

"It will be a big mistake from players if they do not want to come because we have not finished fourth," said Mancini.

"In the future, Manchester City will be a fantastic team."

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres and Hamburg defender Jerome Boateng are among the players reported to be a part of Mancini's recruitment plans.

Previous City boss Mark Hughes paid the price for failing to live up to the expectations of the club's Middle Eastern owners when he was sacked in December, and replaced by Mancini.

Hughes was judged to be unlikely to meet targets of picking up 70 points in achieving a sixth-place finish.

Currently on 66 points, City require a draw from either of their last two games to effectively secure their place in the top six.

Mancini believes Hughes will deserve half of the credit if City do qualify for the Champions League.

"Mark Hughes worked here for the first five months of the season and worked very well," said Mancini.

"If we get fourth position he deserves 50% of the credit because I think he worked well.

"I have worked for five months and he has worked for five months. The season has been split between us."

Redknapp, meanwhile, said City's financial resources ensured they would have a successful future, but also cranked up the level of expectation in the short-term.

"I think Manchester City will eventually go on and win the championship in three or four years. It is a powerful outfit with the owners they have got now," he said.

"At the start of the season, we would have been delighted with a European place or being in the top seven, so to have a chance of making the Champions League is great for us.

"To be involved in something at this stage of the season, is a massive game for us. We have been up there all year looking to try to break into the top four at the end of the season.

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"We have both got difficult games at the weekend, we go to Burnley and Man City have got a tough game at West Ham.

"Everybody wants to win in front of their fans in the last game of the season, no-one wants to get beat. You don't want to end the season on a downer and Burnley and West Ham will want to win."

But despite all that is at stake, Mancini rejected the suggestion that his future would be dictated by the outcome of the match.

"If you are not happy where you work I don't think you stay. I am happy because I want to build a good team here," he said.

"But we must not be nervous and I don't think the players are. They are all concentrated.

"My future does not come down to this game.

"We have qualified for the Europa League next year, that is important. Now we have a chance to do more."



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see also
Manchester City 0-1 Tottenham
05 May 10 |  Premier League
Mancini focused on Spurs, not job
01 May 10 |  Premier League
Spurs deserve fourth spot - Redknapp
04 May 10 |  Tottenham
Tottenham 1-0 Bolton
01 May 10 |  Premier League
Manchester City 3-1 Aston Villa
01 May 10 |  Premier League
Man City defend sacking of Hughes
21 Dec 09 |  Man City
Man City ditch Hughes for Mancini
19 Dec 09 |  Man City