Tottenham skipper Michael Dawson admits they've lost their ruthless streak.
Spurs have seen their top four hopes vanish since the New Year.
Speaking after the 1-1 draw against Blackpool, defender Dawson said: "We have to become more ruthless as a team again. It was a big chance for us to get three points today.
"We can't make excuses that the Champions League has affected us. I don't think our results have been as bad as all that. We have come back from Champions League games and won, so we can't put it down to that. But we knew that we were going to have to go to City and win anyway.
"They're in the better position this year. Last year it was us who could say going into that game: 'If we win, we're there.' Now they can."
