Manchester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson has changed the way the club’s defenders are playing, says skipper Richard Dunne.

“That’s the way the continental managers like their teams to play,” Dunne told MCFCTV.com. “We went through a period where we weren’t so confident of having it at the back, but Sven wanted us to have the ball.

“He likes to watch football like that and we enjoy it this way, maybe it’s a bit risky at times but it’s the way the Manager believes is the one to push the club forward. Everyone’s pleased to play like this.”

England fans notably grew restless with the patient approach during the recent win over Switzerland, so does Dunne think it takes time for supporters to accept this method of play?

“I think so. Every football fan in Britain and Ireland expects to get the ball up into the box as quick as possible, get it around the exciting areas rather than people knocking it around in midfield and at the back.

“But the countries that win the top trophies are the best footballing teams and the ones that keep the ball the best, so it’s up to us, and City have tried it that way this season and it’s worked really well so far.”