Robinho will not be punished for claiming Manchester City have a small-time mentality, according to manager Mark Hughes. The Welshman recently fined Brazilian midfiedler Elano for publicly complaining about being left on the bench, but says that Robinho's remarks were 'tongue in cheek.'

"I view this as a different matter because people have jumped on certain statements," Hughes said. "They are trying to emphasise the negative part of it. I think it is a phrase from Robinho that has been taken out of context and it should be viewed as it was given at the time.

"Some of the comments were taken in isolation and sound a little bit damning. But when you see the full interview and the tone in which it was given, I don't think people should place much emphasis on it.

"When you see the interview, it is done with a smile of his face. It is done with tongue in cheek as well.

"What he's talking about is that a winning mentality has to be learned and you have to understand what it takes to win games, week in, week out. All clubs aspire to that and we are no different in that respect."

Robinho, who arrived on transfer deadline day from Real Madrid for a record £32.5million, wants a radical change in the club's outlook.

Hughes has similar ambition and said: "Robinho is a big part of what we are doing here. He has had a huge impact and those comments are not going to change anybody's opinion of how he is doing.

"We all know where we are at this time and we are working to get better on a daily basis. The players know what we are trying to do. We want to build a focus in the team and are trying to get stronger both in a physical and mental sense.

"While we are finding that a little bit difficult it is not through lack of effort or lack of will. It is something all the top four clubs have. But we are not at that point in our development. It will come, though, because as we get better that mentality will be more robust."

Robinho feels it is the mentality of City's players, rather than the personnel themselves, that needs to change if the Blues are to become a top-flight force.

"City have good players but the mentality of a small side," the Brazilian said. "They are content with just finishing fifth or sixth. They are content with little, thinking just a draw might be good enough.

"They lack the mentality of champions. I have learnt that being second is worthless so I want to inspire a winning mentality."