Uefa Cup:Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland has accused some of his team-mates of "hiding" when the going gets tough, following the 3-1 defeat to Hamburg in the Uefa Cup quarter-final first-leg match at the Norbank Arena. The midfielder opened the scoring after 35 seconds but if they are to reach the last four, City need a big performance at Eastlands on Thursday.
Ireland, who showed a cool head to take his tally for the season to 11 goals after combining well with Robinho, told BBC Radio 5 Live today: "We have got more quality, but at home we need to show it and be braver.
"I think at times some people were hiding and when we had our backs against the wall they were not brave enough to come out and fight," added the midfielder, who has refused to join the Republic of Ireland’s fight for World Cup qualification.
City now have to regroup for the home match against Fulham on Sunday and it is almost certain they will be without Craig Bellamy.
The Wales striker was due to have a scan today but is also likely to be ruled out of the cup match after suffering a recurrence of a knee injury.
In addition, Benjani Mwaruwari re-ruptured his thigh muscle and also faces a spell on the sidelines while Shaun Wright-Phillips is struggling with an ankle problem.
Manager Mark Hughes insists this is no time for self-pity as City go into the Fulham game on the back of six straight home league wins.
He said: "We just have to pick ourselves up, we have another game at the weekend that becomes really important for us.
"We must make sure that we recover well now, get right through Sunday and hope we can turn it around against Hamburg on Thursday.
"They are a very good side but we showed we can cause them problems. Certainly at home next week that is what we intend to do."
City's former Hamburg midfielder Nigel de Jong also believes the game is still finely balanced.
De Jong, ruled out of the match because he was cup-tied, said: "We have to keep our heads held high as we still have a game to play at home. We have to be positive.
"[The third goal] could be crucial, but so could the away goal. We can get a good result in the second leg because we are strong at home."
De Jong and Vincent Kompany, who also missed facing his former club through injury, were presented with gifts before the game by the host club.
"It showed a great respect and gives me a nice feeling because I had some good years here," De Jong told uefa.com. "I know everybody. It's a shame I wasn't on the pitch, though, because I'd love to have some battles with them."
