Shay Given: Manchester City Are Still Fighting For FourthCity 'keeper insists race will go all the way
Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given insists it is far too early to make snap judgements about who will claim fourth spot in the Premier League.
At various points over the past week, Liverpool, Manchester City and Aston Villa have been written off, whilst Everton's chances have been talked up following their midweek victory at Eastlands.
The widest smile must have been on the face of Spurs boss Harry Redknapp as his team currently sit in the coveted spot while City failed to make the most of their game in hand, losing 2-0 to an Everton side who are still in with a chance of gate-crashing the top four themselves.
But Given does not feel anyone is in the driving seat heading into the crucial run-in.
"The whole thing up there is going to keep changing because all the teams have tough games," he told the club's official website.
"It is too early to say who is going to claim that fourth spot.
"We are still in the thick of the mix and still fighting that's for sure - and I believe we have a great chance.
"But the key thing for us is to get back to winning ways and get above Tottenham."
It has not escaped Given's attention either that Spurs are the last visitors to City in a crunch game that has been rearranged for May 5, four days before the Blues bring the curtain down on their campaign at West Ham United.
Given remains optimistic after the Everton defeat, although he admitted the pain felt in the immediate aftermath ensured rest did not come easily.
He added: "There was not much sleep on Wednesday. We wanted to win to get above Tottenham.
"But we are still only three points behind them and they still have to play us so there is still a lot to look forward to."
Manager Roberto Mancini might have more reason to lament the loss since he is now facing FA disciplinary action over his touchline fracas with David Moyes.
On a happier note for the Italian, Emmanuel Adebayor returns from a four-match suspension against Wigan on Monday, when City bid to recover some lost ground.
But Given is not taking anything for granted ahead of the match:
"Wigan beat Aston Villa away from home right at the start of the season and Liverpool lost to them at the DW Stadium a couple of weeks ago so it is not going to be an easy game.
"But I prefer to think of it as being about what we do. Although it would have been nice to play another match, straight away after Everton, having a match on Monday does give us a bit of recovery time at least.
"Losing our unbeaten home record was a blow. But we can't afford to mope around. We need to bounce back if we are going to secure fourth spot."
This post has been edited by DATO19932009 on 28 Mar 2010, 10:49
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