Last Updated: Tue, 12 Feb 2013 10:53
Roberto Mancini will axe half the team that lost at Southampton for the FA Cup fifth round tie at Leeds after ordering them to fight.
The under-fire Italian boss has warned his players he will only pick those who are ready to scrap every inch of the way for the rest of the season.
Mancini was furious at the sorry St Mary's display on Saturday that now leaves the reigning champions 12 points behind leaders Manchester United in the Premier League with 12 games left.
He told the Manchester Evening News: "I am sure we will change that, because I will change players next week. I only want players who are ready for the fight in the last 12 games.
"I am very angry with a lot of my players, and very disappointed at the performance, because it is impossible to play the way we did.
"We didn't fight for every ball. We can't always win by playing well - that is normal. Sometimes we play well and win, but you also need to be able to win because you fight for every ball, and fight against an opponent who also wants to win the game.
"Every team that plays against us treats it like a Champions League final, but we should know this, it is normal.
"We now have 12 games left, (we) need to do well in the Premier League, and we have the FA Cup - there are games left and we can do better. We need to finish the season the way we did last year."
Joe Hart is expected to drop out, as he would have done anyway for Costel Pantilimon in the Cup, while Gareth Barry, Samir Nasri, Javi Garcia, Joleon Lescott and Edin Dzeko could all pay for the defeat with their places in the side.
Carlos Tevez is expected to return to City this week after a family problem, and Vincent Kompany should also be available again, as will Matija Nastasic and Kolo Toure who were not risked after late returns from international duty.
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