Manchester City's players "do not deserve" their bad run of form, manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday as the Premier League leaders seek to turn around a six-game winless streak at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
The run has seen City's lead in the Premier League evaporate, with Arsenal and Liverpool trailing Guardiola's side only on goal difference.
"For the players, they don't deserve this. We are in this period like it is but it will make us stronger in the future, I am sure about that," the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss said.
"We have to learn as quickly as possible. We go game by game. We'll prepare for West Brom then on Sunday we'll talk about Barcelona," he referring to the Champions League match at home next week.
"Looking at our own game I don't think we are too far from where we want to be, despite our run of results. We are creating enough chances to win games but we need to make better decisions in and around the box."
Guardiola also said he expects West Brom to offer a tough physical challenge at the Hawthorns on Saturday.
"It will be tough. They will be high pressing. After that, they recover the ball. They defend low. They are very compact, with very good movement," he said.
"They are very strong on set-pieces. They use this style marvellously, perfectly. We have to adapt in that way. When we have the ball, they are going to adapt to us."
Influential playmaker Kevin De Bruyne and defender Pablo Zabaleta missed Wednesday's derby at United through injury, but Guardiola remained tight-lipped about their progress.
"The injuries are getting better. They are getting better - but I cannot answer if they will play at West Brom," Guardiola added.
"Vincent (Kompany) didn't play the second half against United because he was tired. We want to keep him safe and for him to have the same options as his team mates." Real Madrid last year, Pep Guardiola has insisted that a spell at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu was never likely to happen as it wasn't in the best interests of either party.
Then at Bayern Munich, the former Barcelona manager had been mooted as a possible replacement for the outgoing Carlo Ancelotti, yet poured scorn on the idea that a deal was close in his new biography.
"I am Barcelona supporter," he wrote. "Real Madrid wouldn't suit a coach like me, nor would I suit Real Madrid."
After a confident start to his tenure as Manchester City manager, Guardiola has seen his fortunes slump in recent weeks, but after a string of defeats, the Catalan issued a rallying call to his out-of-form players.
"We're taking it game by game," he added. "We need to win as soon as possible and for this reason, the next game is the most important.
"My players haven't played any game without passion, without trying to win until the last minute.
"Lots of circumstances haven't helped; first our actions on the pitch, that perhaps were not the best to win games, but many decisions and many situations too.
"We have to change it as soon as possible, we cannot give up."
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