City mark our resumption of Premier League action with a testing assignment away at Selhurst Park on Saturday tea-time.
A disappointing 2-0 reverse at home to Wolves just prior to the October international break left Pep Guardiola’s side eight points behind leaders Liverpool after the first eight games of the season.
But as he looked ahead to the trip to south London however, German international Gundogan said the sole priority for City was in seeking to overcome the challenge of Roy Hodgson’s high-flying Eagles, who currently lie sixth, rather than worrying about trying to narrow the gap at the top.
“We go to Crystal Palace which will be tough, but we have no choice - we will try to improve,” declared Gundogan, who bagged a brace for Germany in their 3-0 Euro 2020 qualifying win away in Estonia on Sunday.
“When you are in front (in the table) it always feels great - that’s why it’s a bit tougher to watch the table right now as we are not there and there is quite a gap.
“But maybe we shouldn’t watch the table now.
“We will get a lot of opportunities in the coming months to influence that but, right now, it’s something we have to accept and something we have to deal with.”
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The intensity of the season is set to crank up again with City having to navigate the triple demands of the Premier League, Carabao Cup and Champions League over the next month.
Ahead of what will be a crucial run of fixtures, Gundogan said there were clear lessons for the City squad to digest from the first two months of the season.
In particular, the midfielder focused on the need to maintain collective composure and patience when going for goal.
“I always have the feeling we are able to score especially with the power we have upfront,” Gundogan added.
“There are always chances to create something but in the last 10 or 15 minutes against Wolves they were very defensive, and their physicality meant they were able to cope with our headers and their spaces was tiny so it was difficult.
“It always feels that if we are not able to score the first goal, we get maybe a bit nervous and the confidence is not 100 per cent there.
“Sometimes it is about being patient and to know you are able to create a clear chance, but we have to score.
“We have to learn from that.”
