Manchester City’s Gareth Barry is finding life harder as reigning Champions compared to when his team were seeking their first Premier League title.

City struggled against an in-form West Brom team at the weekend, staging a late comeback with two goals from substitute Edin Dzeko to stop Chelsea extend their four point lead at the top of the table. In the Champions League this season, Roberto Mancini's team are yet to win with only one point from two games.

Barry believes the reason the Citizens are finding it harder this season is because Premier League and European teams are being provided with a greater incentive to defeat Man City now that they are the Champions of English football.

“It is a strange feeling having won the title last year and coming back. For a lot of the players it was the first title they had won, including myself” said the England international.

“It's important - you need that desire, that work attitude to produce what you have done again but you are playing against teams week in, week out who are desperate to beat the champions.

“They are trying a bit harder than they were last season, they're playing the best team in the country. They are desperate to put one over you and that is what we are facing at the minute.”

The 31-year-old recently told Manchester Evening News that he is enjoying his role as City’s unsung hero in midfield without attracting too much attention.

“I am that sort of player. I don't go on to the pitch thinking about walking back into the media area and looking for headlines.

“All I care about [is] playing my game, and as long as I'm playing and the team is winning, it's perfect.

“It’s fantastic to receive the ball and see the attacking options we have, the options to give the ball into feet, or put it in behind, and know they will create chances” added Barry.

Manchester City are in action against Ajax tomorrow night Champions League fixture which will be crucial to their progress in the tournament.

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