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Barry urges team-mates to accept bench role

Gareth Barry believes his Man City team-mates must leave their egos at the door © PA Photos

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Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry says it is important that his team-mates accept they will spend periods of this season on the substitutes' bench if they are to create an atmosphere at the club that is conducive to success.

The fallout from Carlos Tevez's apparent refusal to come on as a sub against Bayern Munich last month has overshadowed City's impressive start to the 2011-12 camapign, which has seen Roberto Mancini's side go toe-to-toe with Manchester United at the top of the Premier League table.

City remain unbeaten in the league so far and are currently second in the table, behind United on goal difference only, but there remain question marks about the harmony of the dressing-room because of public demonstrations of dissent from the likes Tevez, Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli.

Barry believes he and his team-mates are on the verge of something special at Eastlands this season, but warned that players must show some patience if they are not picked in Mancini's first XI.

"It's important that players keep their focus and not get too disappointed when they're not playing," Barry said. "Everyone has got to stay together and be patient. That's going to be the key to success this season. When their chance does come, it's important they take it.

"The club and the squad are still on a learning curve. It's our first real experience of this. It's our first season in the Champions League and we are looking to be going on long cup runs as well. The players and the whole club are adapting to it and I'm sure we can have a great season.

"If you look at our finishes - fifth in 2010, then third last season when we won the FA Cup - that's great progression. If we can keep doing that, then a league title is not going to be too far away."

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