He is adamant that the constant chatter in the media and the efforts of opposition players are a sign that other sides have a new respect for City, but the skipper has also warned that there are still playing improvements that need to be made.
And Toure, who is currently nursing and injured heel but celebrating the Ivory Coast’s qualification for the World Cup finals, wants to ensure that the intensity of the opening seven games is not allowed to slip.
The Blues resume action at Wigan next weekend in fourth place with sixteen points and ahead of the schedule set for them by boss Mark Hughes.
We know that everybody is looking at us, but we have to accept that. It shows our strength.
...Kolo Toure
“We have started really well, we have only lost the one game, and we could have come back with a draw from that.That shows that we have a strong squad, with players that never give up no matter how the game goes.We always play for the full 90 minutes, it’s working well for us right now and we hope we can keep this high intensity going.
“The Premier League is the best competition because every game is always really tough, especially the away games and especially now that we have become a scalp for some sides.
“We know that we will have to fight wherever we go which is what happened at Villa last Monday, but it was a good result. It was important not to lose, we showed good character but we still need to work on a few things!
“The great thing is that we have some very experienced players here, players who want to achieve things here and win some trophies. That’s why we are here and why we’ll do everything we can to make that happen and we will fight for every point.”
Toure missed out on Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Malawi that took his country into the World Cup finals but is hoping his heel has healed in time for him to pull on the arm band against Wigan in a week’s time.
“I’m getting better, as more time goes on I think the injury will get even better and I hope I will be available,” he reported.
“I was a bit unlucky as it happened in the last minute of the game against Villa but what’s important is that I think about my recovery and try to come back for the club. Hopefully I will be ready.”
