Jeremy Doku insists Manchester City couldn't care less if the critics want to write-off their title chances.
And Doku has told those queuing up to knock the champions that Pep Guardiola's men are blocking out all the noise, in a bid to focus on putting a winning run together. City brought an end to their astonishing seven game winless streak with a comfortable 3-0 triumph over Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night.
The win lifted the 2023 Treble winners back into the top four, ahead of Saturday's trip to Crystal Palace. Doku admits it was a relief to finally get back to winning ways.
READ MORE: Roy Keane slams Marcus Rashford's ability and 'f***ing rubbish' Man Utd mistake
READ MORE: Eddie Howe left fuming at Arne Slot after Liverpool boss stormed the referee's changing room
But he insists no-one in the squad 'bubble' is paying any attention to what is being said or written about them. Doku is refusing to give up on City's title chances and he said: "They (the critics) can say whatever they want.
"We just stay in our bubble, and we're still in December. If they think it's over, let them think it's over. We are going to look game by game, try to win as much as possible, and we will see at the end.
Jeremy Doku says Manchester City haven't given up on their title dream just yet
Jeremy Doku says Manchester City haven't given up on their title dream just yet (Image: Getty Images)
"We just don't listen. At the end of the day, when everything goes well they're going to hype you up. When everything goes bad, you're the worst. We don't listen, we concentrate on ourselves in our bubble. We know together we'll be stronger."
Despite turning a deaf ear to all the flak, Guardiola refused to let his players escape the finer details of all their bad results, by putting them through a series of video nasties. And Doku reckons it reminded the players of just how good they still can be.
He added: "We looked back on the games, and what we can do different. There were no doubts in our qualities. We won a lot, so losing games doesn't mean we're bad.
Manchester City got back to winning ways against Nottingham Forest
Manchester City got back to winning ways against Nottingham Forest (Image: PA)
Don't miss a thing with football updates!
Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news? Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star Football email newsletter!
From the latest transfer news to breaking stories, get it all in your email inbox.
How do you sign up?
It only takes a matter of seconds.
Simply click on this link, then provide your email address and that's it, job done. You'll receive an email with all of the top football stories.
You can also sign up for our sport email, Off the Ball, for all the latest darts, boxing, snooker, F1 stories and more, right here
"We tried to work every day harder, harder, harder. We knew at one point it would work, and then the most important thing is to continue ['winning].
"We were waiting for this win. We know it's difficult as a team. We are used to winning so when we had some difficulties to win a game, it's tough.
"We didn't listen to the noise of the outside. We just kept working and grinding. This was a good game. We recover now and hope to continue this. Every game is tough to take if you lose. It doesn't matter who you are.
"We're all competitive, want to win every game. It happened, but now we just want to look forward and be better."