That's because City's boss believes his side will only secure a top-four Premier League finish if they "want it 200 per cent".
And Mancini wants to see his men shake off the tag of inconsistency which has been attached to the club for as long as anyone can remember.
The Blues go to Sunderland fresh and full of confidence, having had a two-week gap since their 4-2 victory at Chelsea.
Mancini feels that magnificent win at Stamford Bridge was a clear signal that City are good enough to beat anyone.
And so in theory, victory over a Black Cats side who had gone four months without a win before thrashing Bolton 4-0 on Tuesday night should be no problem.
But Mancini knows that football doesn't always work like that - especially not in City's case.
Mancini said: "I think that we have a good chance at this moment, because we have one game in hand on Tottenham and two games in hand on Liverpool.
"For this, it depends on us. We have to want it 200 per cent. We must go into every game focused.
"We have to be focused for Sunderland, and than after that game, we must be focused on Fulham.
"I am very happy, because in the last month, I feel we have played like a team. This is important for me and the players - because if you don't play like that, then you don't beat a team such as Chelsea."
Sunderland danger
Those who watch Sunderland on a regular basis felt that a victory was on the cards long before they ended their 14-match winless Premier League streak by thumping Bolton in midweek.
Mancini said: "In the last two games, Sunderland have played very well. They beat Bolton 4-0 and they drew against Fulham.
"After Chelsea, we would have been happy to have another game quickly, but it wasn't possible.
"It's important that now we put the game against Chelsea in the past.
"Now we have to focus our concentration on Sunderland.
"I think the players will have benefited from the rest they have had. I'm happy, because we have worked very well this week after four days of rest.
"I think we can do a good job on Sunday."
Meanwhile, Kolo Toure has a big role to play in City's bid to crack the top four - despite enduring a tricky first season at Eastlands.
Toure hasn't always looked convincing in central defence following his £14million move from Arsenal last summer.
His recent absence because of a knee problem has allowed Vincent Kompany to form a partnership with Joleon Lescott in the middle of the back line - and give Mancini a selection dilemma.
Mancini said: "Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott have been playing together because Kolo had a problem for two weeks and couldn't play for his national team.
"Now Kolo is good again. He's fit again.
"We have Sunderland, Fulham, Everton, and Wigan coming up. We have many games. I need all the players at 100 per cent."
What do you think? Have your say.
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Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All
Nonna Mancini, In My Bungalow (13/03/2010 at 07:43)
If not, we're screwed.
Every Premiership team has known since early on in the season Toure's weaknesses, and goes for our jugular.
"We have Sunderland, Fulham, Everton, and Wigan coming up" - does anyone seriously think these teams will sit back and let us have an easy time of it in central defence?
Also, this Myth that City are unpredictable, inconsistent, blah blah blah, is nonsense - look at similar teams around us in the last 30 years, their results are comparable. Lack of success is down to lack of consistency of management and board, poor financial backing compared to the "big four", sheer bad luck due to missing out on Champion's league revenue in the early years of the Premiership etc...
We are no better or worse than Spuds, Villa, Everton etc.. when it comes to cock-ups and bad luck/ judgement, and now we have the opportunity to put this alleged hoodoo to bed - we've consistently hammered the rags since King Kev gave us back our belief, Arsenal and Chelsea have been put to the sword this season, next we've got the silverware and Champion's league to deal with - which we will now the backing and vision is in place.
adders, Co.Cavan ex Manchester (13/03/2010 at 07:53)
david moran (13/03/2010 at 08:21)
Dave Moran Bury Blue
Chris-Sao Paulo, JP, Brazil (13/03/2010 at 08:23)
HAYMAN BACK IN BOLTON, WESTHOUGHTON (13/03/2010 at 09:33)
Bring back Bradbury (13/03/2010 at 09:33)
M Glazers fan club. tick tock , manchester (13/03/2010 at 10:25)
Ed Bailey (13/03/2010 at 11:13)
Portsmouth Blue (13/03/2010 at 11:18)
Pivo, Manchester (13/03/2010 at 11:25)
Billy Ahern. (13/03/2010 at 12:01)
Andrew Shaw (13/03/2010 at 12:14)
He's quite right. Whether or not we get fourth is down to attitude and mental strength. We have the quality in the squad. That is not an issue. It is down purely to how much they want it and whether or not they are prepared to lay their bodies on the line to get fourth. If they are, great because we are on the box seat at the moment. If they fail then we need to get rid of the ones who haven't got what it takes and replace them with similarly skilled players who have the one thing that makes the difference - we need winners.
Fourth is ours to throw away.
M Glazers fan club. tick tock , manchester (13/03/2010 at 12:17)
Went to Wembley in '56, USA (13/03/2010 at 12:35)
cliff bacon (13/03/2010 at 12:54)
cliff bacon (13/03/2010 at 12:57)
cliff bacon (13/03/2010 at 13:00)
ted knott, droylsden (13/03/2010 at 14:36)
Tomorrow is a must win game now because with 5 mins left at White Hart Lane Spurs lead Blackburn by 3-1 and they have a six goal advantage in the goal difference but we have two games in hand and are 3pts adrift.
I think its going to be very close where our next two games are so crucial probably make or break time....
ray class of '68 and before, Bristol Area (13/03/2010 at 15:46)
Phase 1) City close to FINDING consistency (it starts at Sunderland tomorrow)
Phase 2) City FIND consistency (hopefully , by winning at Sunderland tomorrow)
Phase 3) City RETAIN consistency (hopefully by following up with a win at Fulham, etc., etc., etc.)
There you go Roberto, Job done.
To Gary Cook......please let me know, by return if possible, with regard to whom I should address my Invoice for the Consultancy Fee?
TTFN
Esso Blue. Dark Flow/Dark Energy/Dark Matter/ Invisible, Manchester (13/03/2010 at 16:24)
As long as we keep going at them eventually the novelty for them will wear off for them.
bluemoon risin' (13/03/2010 at 18:18)
Is the for sale sign up yet on Busby way?
ocean finance on the phone without delay
"we can help", to save eviction
from your debt, that's gonna grow
fans get fleeced there, every season
And Glazer's know, they're on skid row
[chorus]
Come a come a come a come a come come a come on Malcolm
don't sell say no, don't sell say no
Dollars won't be easy and you cannot afford your dream
Red gold and green, red gold and green...
You can see the red knights in force on their way
To buy the Glazer's out without delay
That's a fact, not science fiction
Those red knights are getting strong
Can you see, the green n' gold worn
so sing this song, Just sing along...
[chorus]
Come a come a come a come a come come a come on Malcolm
don't sell say no, don't sell say no
Dollars won't be easy so raise prices to live your dream
Red gold and green, red gold and green...
Every day is like survival
We are City, and we're your rival
Every dollar for your survival
You're Man ure, our 'heath'en rival
I'm a man with blue conviction
I'm a man who doesn't know
if you're Man ure, or if you're Norwich
what do you owe, just let me know
Come a come a come a come a come come a come on Malcolm
don't sell, say no, stuff 'em say no
Dollars won't be easy so fleece 'em to live your dream
Red gold and green, Theatre of screams...
ray class of '68 and before, Bristol Area (13/03/2010 at 19:36)
p.s. 'Run' IS fantastic, congratulations to Matt and the girls.....will catch up soon, hopefully after a decent result at Sunderland!
TTFN
MBLUED, UK (13/03/2010 at 20:09)
lets not saying we should get 4th , lets say we need to play 1 game at a atime and each game is going to require a herculian effort to get 3 points, starting tomorrow against sunderland, where i cant see us getting 3 points but i hope im wrong
mark jones (13/03/2010 at 21:41)
David Evans, Zuerich (13/03/2010 at 22:29)
13/03/2010 at 14:36
With respect to yet another silly comment about rocket science.
"A world become one, of salads and sun, only a fool would say that.
A boy with a plan
A natural man
Wearing a white stetson hat
Unhand that gun begone
There's no one to fire upon
If he's holding it high
He's telling a lie
I heard it was you
Talkin' 'bout a world
Where all is free
It just couldn't be
And only a fool would say that "
Now go and get your old 45 single out , your only one, you know ... 'Hi ho silver lining'
and work yourself up into a positive mood for tomorrow. Perhaps like Van the man does on Coney Island .
Embrace the moment , this is our time and.... I've got bad news for you, It's going to be Bobby Mancs time too !
Third place is not beyond this teams possibilities.