Eddie, part of a trophy-winning coaching team at Chelsea then Arsenal, insists that “the best players are the ones who challenge themselves” and that, over time, a “hungry fighter” culture has to be instilled.
He said: “If a player comes in here with the wrong mentality then they will fall by the wayside. It is out job to either remove them or change them. We know that certain players can do better. We are always questioning ourselves.
“It is important that anyone who comes to City to play is hungry to still do well. We want players to be more interested in the rewards of winning trophies than the cash that might be on offer.
“Players should want to be remembered for what they achieved in the game and not for the cars they drive or the mansions they live in. When you are top of the tree and winning, those rewards will come anyway.”
Niedzwiecki and his colleagues make big demands on themselves as well as the players because “we want to be up there not as survivors but as winners. Mark Hughes has tasted winning - he doesn’t suffer defeats or fools gladly.”
In the wake of the worst week of the season, with defeats by Arsenal, Hamburg and then Fulham on Sunday, Eddie added: “I can assure all our fans that when we lose there is no worse feeling for us.
“Away from home we look over at our travelling supporters, who pay a lot of money to follow the team, and we feel bad for them. We are determined to put it right.
“A player represents a City fan in the shirt as far as we are concerned. That player is lucky to play for the club and that is why it has to be 100 per cent all the time, especially if you want to becmoe the best.
“It takes time for a new culture to evolve in a club. Some will embrace it and thrive. Some won’t and will fall by the wayside. We know (the owners) will not accept mediocrity. Demands are greater, and the mentality has to change.”
