Last Updated: Mon, 26 Mar 2012 09:50
David Platt said Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini isn't feeling the pressure of the title race after he snubbed the media at Stoke.
City's first-team coach was left to go in front of the TV cameras on Saturday evening as the side went back to the top of the Premier League - albeit on goal difference - after being held to a 1-1 draw against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.
Yaya Toure cancelled out Peter Crouch's wonder goal for City to pick up a point which takes the side ahead of rivals Manchester United, who face Fulham at Old Trafford on Monday evening.
However, there were suggestions that Mancini is starting to feel the heat of the title race after he failed to speak to the media following the game.
The Italian's no-show came a day after United boss Sir Alex Ferguson claimed City were 'desperate' to bring back Carlos Tevez in response to former City midfielder Patrick Vieira's similar jibe at the Red Devils for bringing Paul Scholes out of retirement.
But Platt is adamant that Mancini is not feeling under pressure and he was amused at Ferguson's mind games attempt.
"I read it and when you look at the quotes, Sir Alex hasn't necessarily said that," said Platt to reporters.
"It seems it was a bit tongue in cheek and there was a bit of fun there - I don't know.
"But Robbie just laughed, he just laughed. It's not a problem to him. It's not about him and it's not about Sir Alex. It's about the two teams alone and apart."
Platt added: "He's done it before and he wants to win. As regards the pressure on him, it's not about whether he handles the pressure so much as whether the players go out and get the results.
"He's fine. He's beyond fine - seriously!"
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