Carlos Tevez demands more from Manchester City team-mates

Carlos Tevez has called on Manchester City to "get their act together" and start hitting the winning form that could propel them to the top of the Premier League table.

After Tevez's angry response to being substituted near the end of Saturday's narrow win over Bolton, the South American is looking ahead to a time when the Blues can fulfil their enormous potential.

Although it was felt securing a Champions League spot should be the summit of their ambitions this term, with Chelsea struggling badly and neither Arsenal nor Manchester United entirely convincing, there does seem to be an obvious opportunity for Roberto Mancini's men.

And, speaking to the official Manchester City magazine, Tevez is calling for greater concentration from his team-mates as they strive for perfection.

"We have to start believing that we are a big club, get our act together and concentrate, and be strong enough mentally to go five or six matches," he said.

"It is a case of thinking about it properly and getting our mindset right in order to get those half-dozen wins in a row which will give us that belief that we can be champions."

Tevez insists he shares the same passion as the City fans, which is presumably why he overreacted to being replaced by James Milner at the weekend.

Certainly, the Tevez camp have been eager to play down suggestions of a rift with Mancini, which fits in with the Argentina star's desire to please the City faithful.

"I really like the desire the fans have to win something, and I sense it," he said. "It gives me a lot of strength.

"I know it is hard for people to go week-in, week-out, it can be expensive and it is not the main priority in life, but they make it their main priority.

"That motivates me and we all want to do the same thing - to make history and win trophies at City."

More will be known about the chances of City ending their 35-year silverware drought over the next couple of weeks thanks to a quirky fixture list that pits Manchester United against Arsenal next weekend, Chelsea the weekend after and Arsenal into combat with Chelsea on December 27, clearing a path towards the summit of English football.

For a side with vast wealth, and resources to spend in January should Mancini decide it is required, it is an opportunity that should not be squandered.

And Joleon Lescott is adamant the Blues will not become mired in off-field problems, dismissing Friday's punch-up between Mario Balotelli and Jerome Boateng at a stroke.

"They are pals," said the England defender.

"It is just the way they wanted to win in training.

"I can't remember the way it started and obviously it wasn't going someone's way.

"They were talking straight afterwards. They sit together at lunch and dinner so there is no ill-feeling between the two of them.

"That kind of thing has happened at every club I have been at. It is no surprise to anyone.

"But the media tend to make it bigger than it is and the way things are at this club at the moment, people perceive things that are not happening."