The under-fire City boss told the Mirror: "I don't regret saying we could finish in the top six. I still believe we have the ability and talent to have done that.
"We finished ninth last season and so it was natural, with the players we added to the squad, to think we could do even better.
"I don't think anyone said I was a nutter at the start of the season when I talked of a top-six finish, but maybe they do now.
"We've found ourselves in a position none of us thought we would at this stage of the season and we have to make sure we get ourselves out of it."