Daniel Farke insists he has no regrets over attacking the League Cup, despite suffering a Championship hangover.
City have lost both home league games since a painful extra-time exit to Premier League Arsenal last week, but Farke is unrepentant at picking his strongest side for the Emirates.
“In Germany there is a saying, ‘One day you have to die’,” he said. “We wanted a cup run and with a home tie in the next round we could have reached the last four, and then you are not far from Europe.
“If we had won in 90 minutes at Arsenal, and we were pretty close, then I am pretty sure with the confidence we gained we would have taken that into Derby and won that game. I don’t want to give any game away like a present.
“When it is a competition, whatever the cup, then it is totally the right decision. Also, even after this 120-minute loss at Arsenal it was still possible to beat Derby.
“We don’t need to talk again about the referee or missed chances. If I had the opportunity again I would do the same, 100pc, not play my assistant or the bus driver (at Arsenal).”
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Farke insists Saturday’s league trip to Bolton is not all about halting the mini slide.
“We have had a tough week or 10 days,” he said. “We had a brilliant performance at the Emirates, a disappointing finish, and then we were unlucky against Derby. Wolves, we have to accept, were the better team on the night.
“For two months we were the team of the moment and then in the last seven days or so it has changed.
“We will not go to Bolton thinking this is an easy win for us.
“We will have to struggle to turn this around. We have to be concentrated. You always want to do well before the international break because it helps the mood, but we don’t feel too much pressure.
“You could say, after this week we need a win, but let’s be honest, you always need a win. It is normal after a defeat to react.”
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