Roberto Mancini knows positive results against Manchester City's rivals are crucial to maintain their progression.
Although the Eastlands club finished a credible fifth in the Premier League table, that mark fell just short of the club's lofty expectation of finishing inside the top four.
City frequently got the better of the league's strugglers but it was their results against the likes of Spurs, Manchester United, Everton and Liverpool that hurt them the most.
They lost twice to neighbours United, Everton and Spurs, their second meeting ultimately costing them Champions League football, while they drew their games with the Reds. Mancini knows it is paramount they go one better next time around and although he admits they were unlucky at times he thinks it is time they settled the issues with their own play.
"Next season, we want to improve," he told the Manchester Evening News. "Next year, when we play Tottenham, United, Everton and Liverpool, we want to win.
"This year, we were very unlucky. But we must improve if we want to win these games." Mancini has now got six months' Premier League experience under his belt after replacing Mark Hughes and says he is enjoying life in England.
"I must say that I like the Premier League. I like City," he continued. "I like the stadium and I like the supporters. We have a fantastic club.
"And this has helped me to improve, because I didn't know the Premier League. But when you work in it every day, you get to know all the players.
"You learn that every game is difficult. We lost at Hull - who got relegated this year. It showed me that every game is very, very hard."
