Roberto Mancini has urged his Manchester City side to show the strength of champions as City slipped six points behind Manchester United with last Sunday's derby defeat to Sir Alex Ferguson's team.
Mancini still believes he has the stronger side, as they go to Newcastle on Saturday, looking to claw their way back into contention in a run of six league games in 29 days.
Roberto Mancini: "We have time to recover all these points but it is important we start now.
"It is an important month.
"They have more experience than us and they don't have any problems when they are behind and they continue to work. We should do the same, continue to work hard and we know that it only depends on us.
"The season is very long and in February when the Champions League starts, everything can change.
"Newcastle usually is a difficult game.
"They have a good team, a good manager. Also we have a problem with the players at this moment because we have three, four, five injured and we don't know who plays. It is in this moment a strong team works more to improve.
"It is clear we are not in a good moment. We only took one point from the last two games but we need to be strong."