Manchester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson admits opposition teams have worked them out after Saturday's 0-0 draw with Wigan Athletic.

"We haven't been winning for a while now. It happens and no-one coming to our home ground plays open football any more," he said. "They did it in the beginning because they didn't know us. Elano (City's chief playmaker) will not have space or time in that position any more and he had it in the beginning.

"We have to think about other things."

City have recorded just two victories in the league since mid-December and that has dealt a damaging blow to their European aspirations as they have slipped to eighth in the table.

However, Eriksson insists they remain confident of being able to secure a UEFA Cup spot.

"If we keep on dropping a lot of points it will be very difficult but it can go the other way," added the Swede. "If we start to pick up points soon Europe is quite possible because the difference with teams around us is not that big.

"We have 10 games [remaining] and the only thing which is very important for us is that no-one gives up.

"We have to fight until the end and believe we can play in Europe - I believe it - and that is what we are going to talk about in the coming weeks.

"Not playing in Europe next season would be a disappointment."