Hughes predicts City will soon move into top gear

Mark Hughes insists Manchester City's current dip in form will prove to be temporary.

After his big-spending stars lit up the early weeks of the Premier League, beating Arsenal and scoring three times in defeat at Manchester United, City are suddenly struggling.

A run of draws was extended to five on Saturday as, after fighting their way back from two goals down against Burnley at Eastlands, City conceded a late Kevin McDonald goal that allowed the Clarets to claim a 3-3 draw.

Instead of pushing the title contenders, Hughes' side are trying to avoid plummeting any further. Yet the Welshman is not concerned about the long-term prognosis.

"We are just having a little period where we are not quite able to make best use of the advantages we have,'' said the City chief. "But it will turn out to our benefit very soon. I am sure about that.

"Maybe we are suffering because of increased expectation. We did start the season very strongly. But obviously teams have had a chance to look at how we are going to set up, what personnel is going to be playing and what formation we are going to use.

"It is giving them the chance to frustrate us and capitalise on areas where they think they can gain an advantage.

"What we have to do is make sure we recognise what teams are trying to do - and still win games.

"We are 11 games into the season and we have done okay - no more, no less. As I warned everybody before the start of the season, at times we will look what we are - a team coming together and trying to gel. On other occasions, it will happen for us - and we will look an outstanding side.

"There are elements of our play that we need to tighten up on. When we do that, the threat we have in an attacking sense will stand us in good stead.''