De Jong at a loss to explain Man City form slide

Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong cannot explain their form slide.

The pressure is starting to mount on manager Mark Hughes after a record-breaking seventh successive draw in the Barclays Premier League, at home to Hull on Saturday.

"We have to sort it out," said the former Ajax and Hamburg man.

"We are frustrated at the way we played (against Hull), and the way we have played in the last couple of weeks at home.

"We have to dominate teams here, and that didn't happen. It was the seventh draw, so we don't get any closer to the top four.

"I would love to give you a reason (why City are drawing so many games) - if I could give you the reason, we would win all of our games.

"Maybe there is a lack of confidence in some situations. We try to keep our confidence high, especially when we play at home."

Real Madrid star Kaka has no Man City regrets

Real Madrid star Kaka has no regrets turning down Manchester City last January.

The Times says Robinho seemed to smile particularly widely when Kaká, sitting next to him, was asked if he had any regrets about not joining City when he had the chance in January.

“No, I’m perfectly happy at Real Madrid,” Kaká said.

Robinho, too, was asked about his future, given his apparent agitation for a move to Barcelona. An agent claiming to represent the player has been quoted saying that he did not want to stay at City but Robinho side-stepped the row.

“My father is the only one who represents me and he has never given an interview,” he said.

Man City boss Hughes can see UAE friendly being annual event

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is happy to be taking his squad to Abu Dhabi for their friendly with the UAE.

Hughes believes the game may become an annual fixture, if the international calendar allows.

"It's an opportunity for us to take a team to our home from home," said Hughes, whose coaching team will also be staging clinics and whose players will be getting out to meet the people who live in the city.

"We are looking forward to it - with it being international week we will be taking a development squad of the younger players, of whom we are very proud.

"We have a production line from the academy, and want to take the best players to give them experience of playing abroad, so it will be a good exercise.

"We also want to enjoy the kind of welcome which we have always had when we go to Abu Dhabi."

Given: Man City can beat anyone in league

Shay Given says Manchester City have enough quality to beat anyone in the Premiership.

The Irish goalkeeper says he is still amazed by the talent he sees in the dressing room.

He told BBC Sport: “It makes you feel great. You go out on the Saturday or Sunday or Monday, whenever the game is and you feel you have a realistic chance of winning the game.

"It doesn’t matter who you are playing. We’ve got a really strong squad of players, some of the best players from around the world and playing with guys like that can only enhance your game and enhance you as a player.

"It’s a great feeling to be honest, some of the players in there are really top drawer and it’s great to be a part of such a strong team and hopefully a successful team. We want to win trophies and all the players in that changing room are very hungry to do that so hopefully we can do that sooner rather than later.”