Manchester City legend Peter Barnes has urged the Blues to try to grab the fourth Champions League spot in a blaze of attacking glory.

The ex-City winger feels that Roberto Mancini's best chance of securing that priceless place at the end of the season is to attack, attack and attack some more.

That would mean abandoning the cautious use of three unadventurous midfielders which provoked such criticism in recent league games against Liverpool and Stoke, and go for the front-foot approach which blew away Chelsea in the second half of last week's 4-2 win.

"I'd love to see, and I'm sure City fans would agree, a 4-4-2 with Adam Johnson on the left, Shaun Wright-Phillips on the right, and Carlos Tevez and Craig Bellamy together up front," said Barnes.

"The more attacking talent you have out there the better, for me, and those four going at teams with pace and skill is a frightening prospect for any opposition.

"Stick two from Gareth Barry, Nigel de Jong and Stevie Ireland in the centre, and that is your six to try to grab that final Champions League place."

The Blues this week begin the countdown to the final third of the season, beginning with Sunday's trip to Sunderland, followed by a tricky visit to Fulham and a home clash with Wigan.

But Barnes has already eyed up a three-match run near the end of the season which could make or break the Blues' dreams.

"We go to West Ham on the final day, but before that we have United at home, Arsenal away and Aston Villa at home on consecutive weekends," he said.

"Those are three murderous games. Having said that, we have proved ourselves capable of winning those big games, having beaten Chelsea home and away, Arsenal twice at home, and United in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi.

City test

"So the real test may be the games against the likes of Sunderland and Fulham, because some of our performances in that type of game have been woeful."

The Chelsea result has given everyone around the club a lift, says Barnes, but the optimism it sparked needs to be reined in, and the hard work re-doubled.

"All season it has been five paces forward, then six back, and that has to stop," he says.

"But you have to remember that we were a little lucky at Chelsea because we were awful for most of the first half, and their goalkeeper had a stinker."

Barnes' former City and West Brom team-mate Gary Owen focuses on the home clashes with Spurs and Villa as key to the Blues' fortunes.

"The beauty of it is that the whole thing is in our hands, as we have that game in hand," said MEN Sport columnist Owen.

"We play Villa in the next-to-last game, and that could be vital. It would be nice to see Villa and Spurs carry on in the FA Cup, as that could prove a nice little distraction for them.

"Both of those teams also have to come to our stadium, and if we take maximum points from both, it would put a hell of a dent in their chances of hitting that fourth spot.

Blues form

"But the truth is that, with so few games left, every match is a big one. It's Sunderland next, and they have been in a dreadful run of form and won't look forward to playing us.

"We also have one eye on the home Manchester derby, but these days we are looking forward to derbies, whereas we used to dread them not too long ago."

Owen wants to see the defence really come into its own - after a season of mixing and matching the back four has led to some hit-and-miss form.

Mancini is now close to finding a settled back four in Pablo Zabaleta or Micah Richards, Vincent Kompany, Joleon Lescott and Wayne Bridge, and that could make a big difference.

"The defenders have had almost a full season to get used to each other now, albeit the team has chopped and changed," said Owen.

"There is strong competition right throughout the team with just about everyone fit and well, and that defence has enough calibre to make us a difficult team to break down.

"There are players who still need to take a step up, but Shaun Wright-Phillips has a World Cup dangled in front of him, and Emmanuel Adebayor needs to get his form back."

Liverpool are being seen as the main threats to City's chances, certainly by the bookies.

But Owen has mixed feelings: "My head tells me Tottenham, but my heart tells me it will be Liverpool," he said.

"Harry Redknapp has done a remarkable job, but Spurs have one eye on the FA Cup, and you feel that Liverpool have been here before. They also now have Torres and Gerrard back."

How do you think City are shaping up for the run-in? Have your say.