When Mark Hughes was sacked after the 4-3 victory over Sunderland on Saturday there were reports a number of senior players, including Craig Bellamy, leading a protest delegation to chief executive Garry Cook. There were suggestions this could continue with a number of players close to Hughes looking to leave in the January transfer window. However, Mancini - who did not take his first training session until Monday this week - is happy with the attitude of his squad. "I thought the players trained very well. I think I have a good team and we have only one problem and that is many players injured," said the Italian. "I have a good relationship with the players. I appreciate some players are close to Mark but that is a good thing for a manager." Mancini went on to joke: "When I go away from Manchester City in 15 years after five Premier League titles and four cups the players will have the same situation with me." Mancini also stuck to the belief he highlighted at his public unveiling on Monday that City can finish in the top four this season. And he was optimistic he could match his feats at the San Siro when he guided Inter to a trophy in his first season in charge and went on to win three Serie A titles. The comparison between the two Milan clubs - where AC dominated for so long - and City's situation with rivals United was not lost on Mancini. "It depends (finishing in the top four) but I think so. It is important now we concentrate on Boxing Day's game at home to Stoke and then after that one game at a time," he said. "I think I can do a job and my target, always, is to win. "Inter Milan was a good job. I arrived there when they had not won in 18 years and after one year they won the cup and then after that the championship. "I think I can do the same in Manchester but for this it is important that I work hard and I get to know the team fast." The new City boss acceps it would take time for the players to adjust to his methods but feels they could be playing the Mancini way within a month. "We must work out our defensive problem. A balance to the team is the most important situation but for this we must work every day," he added. "After three or four weeks it will be possible (for them to adapt to his style). "I hope the players play well on Saturday and understand my team talk." Mancini said he knows exactly what to expect from Stoke on Boxing Day. "I am very excited for Saturday's match. I hope for the supporters it will be a good day and I hope to win for them because that is important," he said. "Stoke are a good, physical team - typically English. I watched their game against Aston Villa when they played well (but lost 1-0). "It is a hard match for us."
