Dunne - City can be winners

Skipper believes it will take time for winning mentality to be instilled

Last updated: 5th December 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Dunne - City can be winners

Dunne: Winning will take time

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Richard Dunne believes instilling a winning mentality in Manchester City will not happen overnight following team-mate Robinho's recent comments.

Robinho claimed earlier in the week that City 'lack the mentality of champions' and were content to settle for fifth or six spot.

City skipper Dunne conceded the Brazilian was right in his assessment that the club are not currently imbued with a winning culture.

But the Irish centre-half is confident that there is enough potential in the squad to eventually enjoy the success that Robinho is demanding.

Learning trade

"Robinho is right and we need to have that stronger mentality, but it just doesn't happen like that," said Dunne in The Sun.

"Young players have to learn the game first then over the next few years they'll be strong.

"It's a very young squad. We have got some young players who are still learning their trade. That winning mentality will come. We'll get used to winning games."

With City now backed by the mega money of the Abu Dhabi United Group, manager Mark Hughes is expected to be busy when the transfer window opens next month.

And Dunne is hoping that Hughes will look to sign experienced players in the New Year in order to boost City's prospects of winning trophies.

He added: "You need experience to go with the young players to give them someone to learn off, players who have won trophies.

"Their experience will rub off on the other players and help us to progress."