Sven-Goran Eriksson would be happy to see Manchester City forced onto the defensive every week if it meant picking up three points.
City have roared to the Barclays Premier League summit ahead of this weekend's trip to Arsenal, with Eriksson's side now boasting the only 100% record remaining in the top flight.
The Swede accepts the manner of the Blues' most recent win, over local rivals United at Eastlands last week, was not particularly pretty as the hosts spent long periods on the back foot before scraping home thanks to Geovanni's first-half strike.
However, while Eriksson would like to play the beautiful game espoused by tomorrow's opposing boss Arsene Wenger, he has been in football long enough to know the only thing that counts are results.
"I could play like we did last week all the time if it meant I could win," said Eriksson.
"I would have no problem with that at all.
"The problem against a team like Manchester United is that they are so good in possession, you have to defend a lot.
"What I wanted was for my team to attack when we had the ball, so the only thing I was not 100% happy about was that we weren't more precise in our passing because we did have the chance to create much more than we eventually did."
After seeing his new-look side pass one major examination last week, Eriksson is now facing arguably an even more daunting proposition.
It is 1975 since City last beat the Gunners away from home in any competition and even though Arsenal no longer boast Thierry Henry in their ranks, Eriksson is acutely aware of the task that lies ahead.
"In a seven-day period we are playing two of the best teams in the world," he reflected.
"Of course, Arsenal cannot find another Thierry Henry but I don't think it will affect them too much.
"I saw Eduardo Da Silva at Blackburn and he did a very good job while Robin van Persie is getting better all the time."
With no new arrivals heading in to Eastlands this week, Eriksson will probably stick with the side that beat United with the exception of Italian Rolando Bianchi, who is likely to replace Valeri Bojinov after the striker was ruled out for between three and six months with knee ligament damage.
The Swede accepts the manner of the Blues' most recent win, over local rivals United at Eastlands last week, was not particularly pretty as the hosts spent long periods on the back foot before scraping home thanks to Geovanni's first-half strike.
However, while Eriksson would like to play the beautiful game espoused by tomorrow's opposing boss Arsene Wenger, he has been in football long enough to know the only thing that counts are results.
"I could play like we did last week all the time if it meant I could win," said Eriksson.
"I would have no problem with that at all.
"The problem against a team like Manchester United is that they are so good in possession, you have to defend a lot.
"What I wanted was for my team to attack when we had the ball, so the only thing I was not 100% happy about was that we weren't more precise in our passing because we did have the chance to create much more than we eventually did."
After seeing his new-look side pass one major examination last week, Eriksson is now facing arguably an even more daunting proposition.
It is 1975 since City last beat the Gunners away from home in any competition and even though Arsenal no longer boast Thierry Henry in their ranks, Eriksson is acutely aware of the task that lies ahead.
"In a seven-day period we are playing two of the best teams in the world," he reflected.
"Of course, Arsenal cannot find another Thierry Henry but I don't think it will affect them too much.
"I saw Eduardo Da Silva at Blackburn and he did a very good job while Robin van Persie is getting better all the time."
With no new arrivals heading in to Eastlands this week, Eriksson will probably stick with the side that beat United with the exception of Italian Rolando Bianchi, who is likely to replace Valeri Bojinov after the striker was ruled out for between three and six months with knee ligament damage.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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