Big-spending City have stuttered in recent weeks after a bright start to the campaign with Saturday's draw with Hull a record seventh successive stalemate for Mark Hughes' men.

The run of results has seen the pressure grow on Hughes, but Santa Cruz is adamant the team are sticking together to end the slump in form.

"We haven't been playing bad in parts, we have been playing really good but it seems we are not just closing the games when we have the chances and then we are conceding goals for mistakes that shouldn't happen," Santa Cruz told Sky Sports News.

"You are just putting pressure on yourself, but I think we have a squad full of experienced players and then you can work it out in your favour.

"People are very keen on stopping us, they are really thinking how to make us lose points. We just need to stay focused and get rid of these succession of draws and just start winning."

Santa Cruz says everyone is fighting together to try and achieve City's aim of finishing in the top four this season.

"Pressure is on everyone," added Santa Cruz. "We have a clear aim for the season which is to get in to the top four and we have been dropping a lot of points with these draws which is not helping anyone.

"We are a team, a family, all of us are involved in this together.

"We are just not doing enough to win the games."