We'll do it my way: Defiant Guardiola insists on business as usual

Pep Guardiola says he will never change his football principles even if Manchester City's poor run of form continues into the new year.

A run of three defeats in four Premier League matches has seen Guardiola's side slip from first to third in the Premier League table, severely damaging their chances of retaining the title they won with a record 100 points in May.

City follow up Sunday's visit to Southampton with a home match against leaders Liverpool on Thursday, before struggling Championship side Rotherham United visit in the FA Cup three days after that.

Liverpool are 10 points clear of City after crushing Arsenal 5-1 on Saturday.

Guardiola said that even if City lost all three of their next matches, he would not waver from the high-pressing, fast-passing principles with which he has made his reputation as a coach.

"That is not going to happen. It did not happen in the first year; it is not going to happen," he said.

"Why should I? Because I lost two games? No way. It is definitely not going to happen. The same applied in my first season when I answered this question, 10 or 20 times, when people wondered about this guy, about what he believes, coming here and playing this way in England.

"It's not because I ever tried to show you through my words that I am special, or better, or unique, or something like that. I defend what I believe, and I believe in that."
- 'I trust what we do' -
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"In my experience, when this happens is for everyone to look in the mirror, and work harder, harder. After that, you win one or two, everyone is coming back, and everything becomes normal."
"I'm disappointed in myself," he said. "I look at myself first of all. What can I do to help the players? "It is the job of a manager to analyse through the game. You look for what you have to do better."