Samba stars desperate to get City back in rhythm

MANCHESTER City, who visit Wigan Athletic in the Premier League on Sunday, will be looking for an instant pick-me-up after their embarrassing midweek Carling Cup defeat at Coca-Cola League One side Brighton.

It was back to earth with a bump at the Withdean Stadium little over 72 hours after the euphoria of City’s 6-0 victory over Portsmouth.

Admittedly, British record buy Robinho, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Micah Richards and Joe Hart were rested, but City still fielded a team which ought to have proved too powerful for the Seagulls.

City and their boys from Brazil now head for the JJB Stadium for their first away league fixture since Robinho was signed for £32.5million from Real Madrid.

It will be interesting to see how Robinho, Jo and Elano perform away from Eastlands, and they can certainly expect a tougher physical battle than the match against Portsmouth.

City boss Mark Hughes has stressed to the fans that they cannot expect regular repeats of the scintillating display against Pompey, who were on the wrong end of the Blues’ biggest-ever Premier League victory and one which saw six different players on the scoresheet.

Hughes has an exciting strike force, with Jo the focal point of the attack and Robinho and Shaun Wright-Phillips providing support from wide positions.

The three central midfield players also have a perfect balance with Vincent Kompany playing the holding role, Stephen Ireland spraying passes around and Elano the most adventurous of the trio.

Wigan, however, will provide robust opposition as Steve Bruce has transformed their fortunes since succeeding Chris Hutchings last November when their Premier League status was under threat.

Bruce staved off the threat of relegation and during the summer skilfully manoeuvred in the transfer market.

The capture of Egyptian striker Amr Zaki, on a season’s-long loan, appears an inspired signing as he has already scored five goals.

Bruce spent £3.5m apiece on former Birmingham City player Olivier Kapo and Middlesbrough’s Lee Cattermole as well as snapping up Daniel de Ridder on a free transfer from Birmingham.

After losing to West Ham and Chelsea in their first two league fixtures, Wigan secured their first points in style, winning 5-0 at Hull City. Since then, they have drawn at home to Sunderland and away to Tottenham.

Wigan have conceded only one goal in their last three league matches and will be an awkward obstacle for City.

But if City are to become a top-four club, they need to come away from places like the JJB Stadium with three points.