With the Blues knowing two more wins could secure a first top-flight title for 44 years, the spotlight and pressure on the players would seem intense, but Richards says the squad are buzzing and can’t wait until Sunday’s trip to Newcastle.
“In some ways it was easier when we were chasing United because at one point, we were down and out in many respects,” he said.
“We had nothing to lose and the pressure was off, but now we have two must-win games starting on Sunday at Newcastle.
“The situation has not really changed that much because we needed to win our last six games to stand any chance of catching United and now we’ve drawn level with them but there’s still so much hard work to do.
Our season now comes down to winning these last two games and we believe we will do exactly that. If we do, we are likely to be champions
...Micah Richards
With Newcastle desperate to win to qualify for the Champions League, Micah knows the Blues will have to be at their very best to leave St James’ Park with all three points.
“They’re a really good side and I think Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse are going to be a real handful,” he said.
“I think Vinnie is going to have to follow Cisse around and stick to him like a leach because everything he tries at the moment seems to come off.
“His two goals at Chelsea were world class and Nigel de Jong knows what he’s capable of because I think he’s been up against him a few times in Germany. He says he’s always been a goal-scorer so he’ll be a threat.
“They have other talents like Yohan Cabaye - but we will have eleven fantastic players that Newcastle will be worrying about and we know if we are at our best, we can beat anyone.
“Newcastle like to play attacking football, too and we always seem to play better against teams like that because it suits our style.
“We’re in good shape, we all want to play, but I can’t see how the manager could change a team that has played so well and I don’t know why he would want to, either.
“Training has never been better, the lads are in great spirit and it doesn’t matter who starts because whoever plays, they will give their all to try and get us over the finishing line.”
