Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has reiterated that he will need time to develop his philosophy at the club following their 4-2 defeat at the hands of Leicester City this evening.
The Premier League champions scored twice in the opening five minutes and were three goals to the good after 20 minutes before Jamie Vardy completed his hat-trick and City scored two late consolation goals.
City's defence was once again found wanting to leave them with just one clean sheet in their last 17 matches in all competitions, but Guardiola refused to blame the system for their troubles.
"Four minutes 2-0, it is not easy. England is very good on the counter-attack and second balls. They are tough on the counter and defend so well. We tried until the end but there are good things in every game. It is difficult after 2-0 and 3-0," he told BT Sport.
"They would play long balls, we knew that. with the second balls, they were looking to our back four and did well. It is not about the system. We defended well with these players at the start of the season and during the season, we have to stand up and analyse and players to step forward.
"All managers need time. I don't know [how much time]. In the beginning it was quickly, now it will be a little bit longer. To change the mentality, to change what we want, maybe it will take a little more time. Football is a game with mistakes, especially today. I would never complain to my players and I will look inside myself and analyse the reason why we have problems with the second balls when they arrive. Our game is not bad but in the box we have a lot of problems."
The defeat leaves City fourth in the Premier League table, four points behind Arsenal and Chelsea.
Barney Corkhill
