Manchester City midfielder David Silva insists the players have total faith in manager Roberto Mancini.

The Spaniard insists he is back on track and is keen to defend Mancini - who has been critical of his attacking players - against some of the stick flying the manager's way.

Silva told The Sun: "Personally I am content with my performances but I accept they are not quite at the same level as in the key moments of last season.

"Mancini offers good strategy and is also a big psychologist. His contact with the players is so important.

"Obviously, he demands success from the forwards. But it's not down to individuals - he's more interested in our performance as a group. In the league we are going well and I think people respect us more now because we are the champions.

"City are using the same system that worked in the past - we won the title that way and we are certainly capable of winning all the trophies left open to us."