Manchester City laboured to a 2-0 win over Sunderland last weekend and although Chelsea regained their ten point advantage at the summit of the Premier League, Pep Guardiola looks unwilling to throw in the towel on winning the title just yet.

City boast one of the best squad in the division on paper and their ardent supporters here in the Tavern are pretty content with Guardiola’s first campaign with the Citizens.

City are still in with a shout of winning the Champions League this season and they will hope to push Chelsea all the way in their quest for the title.

Some of the City faithful here in the Tavern are having a game of pool and the conversation has turned towards this weekend’s game with Middlesbrough, with many expecting the game to be a walk in the park for Sergio Aguero and co.

Lee Clarke takes a look at two players who should be dropped from the starting line-up ahead of this afternoon’s game.

Yaya Toure

With the Ivorian not getting any younger the FA Cup could be the perfect competition to offer the big man some respite and a much needed rest.

Toure would be better served being saved for the bigger occasions this season and they should beat Middlesbrough without too many difficulties anyway.

One City fan is sat watching the Tavern’s big screen this morning and he agrees that Toure should get himself a much deserved rest this weekend.

David Silva

Another man who could potentially do with a rest is the little magician David Silva.

Silva has played a lot of football of late and as he is part of everything that is good about Manchester City’s play, the club can ill-afford to be without him if he picks up a needless injury.

One City fan is helping the landlord tidy the bar and he agrees that City would be wise to rest Silva as they go in search of a semi-final berth this weekend.