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Criticism motivated Johnson - Mancini

Roberto Mancini has defended his treatment of Adam Johnson © PA Photos

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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini stands by his seemingly harsh criticism of in-form winger Adam Johnson and insists he is simply trying to motivate the player to reach a higher level of performance.

Johnson reportedly refused to get on the team bus after being singled out by his manager for a lack of effort during the Carling Cup victory at Wolves last Wednesday night, despite scoring one goal and providing another in City's 5-2 win.

In his post-match interview Mancini said of Johnson that he was "disappointed he doesn't put everything on to the pitch" and it is claimed that the furious player had to be talked into boarding the team coach.

Johnson, 24, scored once again in a 3-1 Premier League victory against the same opponents on Saturday and Mancini claims his criticism has had the desired effect.

"I am happy he is upset," Mancini said. "I love Adam. It is like with the children in your family. If you love your children then sometimes you should be hard with them and Adam understands this.

"I say what I want because if he were not a good player then I wouldn't waste my time on him. But because he has everything, I don't want him stopping at this level. I want him up a level and then a level more.

"He has some characteristics that are different from other players and because of this he could become one of the top wingers in the game. If you have a top winger, you are going to win a lot of games. One versus one, he is incredible - every time he takes the ball out wide near the box, we can score a goal or at least have a chance."

Mancini believes that the England international could be as good as team-mate David Silva, who is currently the star of the Premier League.

"He has played in the Premier League for two and a half seasons now and he has played for the national team," Mancini said. "Fabio Capello and I are of the same opinion. A player like him should play well every game, like David Silva."

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