MANCHESTER -- Pep Guardiola believes he needs time to get used to life in the Premier League and is expecting another tough test from West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
His Manchester City side are top of the Premier League but have gone six games without a victory in all competitions.
Guardiola is desperate to get back to winning ways but is expecting another tough, physical clash when he faces a Tony Pulis team for the first time in his career.
But he believes that is side are close to getting back to their best form that saw him win his opening 10 games in England.
"I said before: 'I need time,'" Guardiola told a news conference. "I need time to learn, to improve the league, what kind of situations, when they put the players in the box, when they put the ball in the channels, when they play long balls.
"I'm still in that process so for example in Germany in Spain it didn't happen like here. For the quality of our players and the thought we have to play we have to adjust.
"We have to learn as quick as possible and change that streak to winning games.
"Normally, when you win, you will get time. So the people didn't think I need time after winning at Stoke -- 'Pep is ready to train in the Premier League because he is able to win in Stoke City, he is fit.'
"In football, every opponent is completely different. But I think we are close. That is my feeling. We are close in the beginning, I am close now to do what you have to do."
Guardiola has admitted that City have struggled to cope with a high-pressing game, particularly in the defeats to Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona.
But the City boss said he is determined to keep trying to pass out from the back because he does not have a tall, physical striker that can win long, high balls. However, he said he would rather quit than change his attacking style.
"We don't have a strikers strong enough to play in that way," he added. "But we have to create the space to pass the ball not to use the long ball because I don't want to play [like that].
"I am a big fan to try to play with brave players, to encourage players to have personality to play wherever -- home, away, big clubs, small clubs, big pitches, small pitches.
"We have to try it. If not, okay, I will not be able to train here in England."