Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce believes Manchester City are struggling with the expectation of being the richest club in the world.

Allardyce said: "It seems to be, from Mark's (Hughes) own words, that it is affecting the players that are there, living in that goldfish bowl.

"That tag of richest club in the world seems to be affecting them the wrong way, based on what I have seen.

"The players are much better players than have performed recently. I know that and Mark knows that.

"Unfortunately for him and the players that tag is now there and they can't get rid of it, so they have to manage it as best they can and get back to playing the way they know they can play.

"His star player Robinho has not been available for a while and that is a big miss for them.

"That is key for every manager in their success or failure rate. If your key players are out too long you will lose football matches."