STUART Pearce's reign as City boss inched closer to the point of no return on Sunday afternoon.

The Blues boss stood and listened impassively as the 7,000 massed in the Darwen End verbally ripped his faltering side to shreds as they bowed out of the FA Cup at the last eight stage for the second year running.

The fans' fury was the culmination of months of post-Christmas frustration at a team that singularly fails to entertain and has looked increasingly clueless in front of the goalposts.

Failing to create even one clear cut scoring opportunity against 10 men was the last straw for those who put their heart and soul - and hard-earned money - into following City.

There was clearly an increase in the effort compared to the home debacle against Wigan but it still wasn't enough to suggest that there is much light at the end of the tunnel and the supporters were quick to seize on old failings.

Blank

In their last six matches against Premiership opposition the Blues have drawn a blank five times, no wonder skipper Richard Dunne felt the need and urge to publicly criticise the new signings brought in to score the goals.

The failure to spend the £4m made available in the January transfer window on a striker has come back to sit on the manager's shoulder like a ravenous vulture.

Even if the Blues were to go on a winning run that made the doom mongers appear ridiculous and far too premature in venting their spleen, it is unlikely that all the dissenters would drift back into the pro-Pearce camp. The discontent now runs deep.

Pearce doesn't appear to have lost the confidence of the dressing room but it has clearly and possibly irreparably evaporated in the cheap and not so cheap seats.

Not that the fans can be considered blameless in their behaviour at Ewood Park.

Of course chanting on match days is the only way they can en masse make their feelings known to team, manager and board alike.

But they have to be careful they do not alienate the talented along with the talentless, the feted along with the feckless.

Cares

Poor Micah Richards looked hurt and shocked at the end of the cup-tie as he went towards the fans to thank them for their loyalty and wonderful backing.

He was greeted with a volley of `you're not fit to wear the shirt' and, despite holding his badge in an effort to show them he personally cares for the club, the chant did not subside.

Surely there was not one Blues fan packed into that stand who thinks that an 18-year-old youngster who has fought his way into the England national team from the City Academy and is currently one of the most coveted defenders in the country is not fit to wear the shirt.

Next time Richards is tapped up by a club in the upper echelons of the Premeirship or rung up by his agent asking if he fancies a move it is to be hoped he doesn't remember those moments at Ewood Park and think to himself "why should I play for fans who don't respect me?"

It is an insult to suggest to City followers that the best thing they can do now is to all get behind a side that is fighting for its very survival because matters have gone beyond the happy-clappy stage but they can be a little more careful about who gets caught in the crossfire.

Divisions seem to be popping up all over the place at the moment with the captain criticising and the fans fighting among themselves. How Charlton must be lapping up the goings on at Sportcity and remember they still have to make up what is effectively a seven point gap on the Blues. What City need most now is strong, firm leadership both in the boardroom and dressing room.

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