Cape Town City coach Benni McCarthy admits that his side will not be competing for a top-four finish unless they improve their form in the Absa Premiership.

The Citizens are currently on a four-game winless run in the league following their 1-1 draw with Golden Arrows at Cape Town Stadium this weekend.

They currently occupy 11th place in the league standings with seven points from their first six games, after one win, four draws and one defeat so far this season.

McCarthy admits that his side have already thrown away crucial points in the league and believes they are missing their X factor.

‘We don’t look like a team which is going to contest for second, third or fourth place at this moment in time,’ McCarthy told the media.

‘There is something missing and I am yet to put my finger on it, but I think we are just throwing points away. We are not there yet and it is disappointing.’

Slamming his side, the 41-year-old coach says they only raise their game against big teams.

‘I don’t know if I can stand for this, maybe it is short-minded to have Pirates next and raise the game,’ he added.

‘But it won’t sit well with me because I can’t coach players who have that small mentality of preparing for big games.

‘Then you up your level, but the games which matter and then those are the ones which you don’t show up in. But we will work hard this week.’

Cape Town City will now travel to the Orlando Stadium when they take on Orlando Pirates in their next Absa Premiership encounter on Saturday, with kick-off set for 3:30pm.