Adam Johnson has admitted he would be devastated if Manchester City failed to win the Premier League title this season.
City have been on top ever since they romped to that amazing 6-1 win over Manchester United in October and have since opened up a three-point advantage over their neighbours and currently sit five ahead of Tottenham, who visit the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
And, while manager Roberto Mancini keeps stressing he will not know exactly how his team are placed until Yaya Toure returns from African Nations Cup duty in the middle of next month, Johnson concedes from this position, failure does not bear thinking about, and said: "I would be devastated if we didn't win it."
He added: "Most of lads are not thinking about it but we are three points clear, so from this position, it would be devastating not to do it."
Johnson was speaking on a visit to Moston Fields Primary School with City team-mate Gareth Barry to promote the club's healthy eating project 'Strike a Balance', sponsored by leading north-west law firm Hill Dickinson.
The former Middlesbrough winger believes victory on Saturday would put them in a very strong position to repel a Tottenham side who seem to have become many neutrals' favourites to become champions, even though it is 1968 since the Blues last won it.
"Maybe because we have spent so much money, people think we are trying to buy the title," he said.
"Tottenham are the team who have nothing to lose and all the pressure is on United and City. But the pressure is on whoever is up there to sustain it.
"If Tottenham do that, there will be massive pressure on them.
"In the last four or five games, when things are still tight, that is when we can see who will hold their nerve."
Source: PA
Source: PA