John Stones would have happily taken a repeat of last season's stroll to the Premier League title as Manchester City continue to do battle with Liverpool at the top.
Pep Guardiola was asked after the Burnley win about the remarkable situation that sees his side on 92 points with two games left and still no room for error if they are to win the league.
As he pointed out, that is the reality they must accept as Jurgen Klopp and his players to continue to keep the pressure up at the top.
As well as a point advantage, City have the nous gained from winning the title last season. However, given the stark difference between title races Stones explained how the more experienced members of the squad are guiding the Blues through.
"It's a different scenario, last season the league was done by now. It's strange because some of us haven't been in this situation before," he said.
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"I think Vinny [Kompany] said that these are the times when it brings the best out of you as a player, but him as a player, David [Silva], Sergio [Aguero] and a few of the others have been in this situation before - so they know what the feeling is, how to get the best out of it.
"We've got to be guided by those and try to take everything in. It makes everything exciting, keeps everyone on our toes.
"If you ask me if I'd prefer to win it like last season, I'd say yes. But it's the situation that we are in and one we're really enjoying, trying to go with the flow, take everything in and keep putting the performances in.
"I wouldn't say it's keeping us motivated - because everyone is motivated to win and lift the Premier League - but it's making us hungrier to keep winning, keep the pressure on and keep fighting until we can't any more. It's exciting to be part of it."
Some of City's games in the run-in have been exercises in efficiency, and as the desperation on Merseyside grows Guardiola and his players have opted to take the heat out of the chase.
The manager had as much interest in the Masters golf as he did Liverpool's crunch game with Chelsea this month, and the message across the squad has been to ignore everything outside of their control.
"I think that's good. Everyone is so involved in winning the Premier League, I personally think it's the best league in the world," said Stones.
"I don't watch too much football at home, or read too much about it, I try to switch off. It might be strange for some to hear that, that a footballer doesn't watch football or get involved in it, but that gives you a release of switching off and not getting drowned in everything that is going on - what position you are in, what's going on. I think we need to stay calm.
"Everyone has their own routines to stay calm and prepare well for the game, we need to keep doing that and get the best out of each other."
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