Roberto Mancini is taking comfort from the fact Manchester City still lead the English Premier League despite a poor run of form.
City have managed just two wins from their last six matches in all competitions, bowing out of both the FA Cup and Carling Cup in the process.
They went down 1-0 away to Everton in the league on Tuesday, but remain joint top in the standings, level on points with reigning champions Manchester United.
"We have had two days to recover from our ... defeat against Everton," Mancini said, speaking ahead of his team's next match at home to Fulham on Saturday.
"I wasn't happy that we didn't play very well, also I don't think we deserved to lose."
"We knew before that January was a very hard month, but it is still important that we are on the top and dependent only on us."
Mancini was quizzed on the possibility out-of-favour striker Carlos Tevez could return to action for City this season, despite spending four month on strike in Argentina.
"I don't think at this moment," Mancini said when asked if Tevez could be rehabilitated.
"But in the Premier League it is possible if he comes back, but I don't know if he will."
"I hope for him that in the last three months he has trained, for him, for his condition."
"If Carlos comes back here and he is fit, maybe it is possible. If not, then we go forward without this player."
Mancini also explained the decision to add loan signing David Pizzarro to City's well-stocked midfield.
The Roma man featured rarely under Mancini during the pair's time together at Inter Milan, but the Chile international is apparently set to provide important cover as the season reaches its conclusion.
"We have this problem with players being away and also because now after the Aston Villa game we start to play every three days with the Europa League," Mancini said.
"We had this chance with David on loan from Roma and it is good for us because I know the player and I think it could be useful for us in the next four months."