FORGET all talk about tomorrow's game with Leicester being a six-pointer - it's far more important than that.
When I wrote at the beginning of the month that we were faced with nine cup finals, I didn't expect City to still be fighting for their lives with four games of the season to go. Things are getting too close for comfort.
Quite simply, City have got to win at the Walkers Stadium. I still remain optimistic that we will stay up, but that might change if we happen to lose to Leicester.
If you look at the matches we have remaining, you would say we have got difficult tests against Newcastle, who are going for a place in the Champions League, and Middlesbrough, a side who give little away at home.
At the very least, we should be looking to get draws from those games and you would fancy us to beat Everton on the last day of the season, but we really don't want to be in a situation where everything depends on us beating Everton.
Tension
There would be a dreadful tension around Eastlands if that happened and I'm sure that nerves would be jangling for both players and supporters alike.
I know what the anxieties are like when you are down at the bottom of the table.
Players are only human and it would be understandable if things are getting to them.
But now is not the time for rifts or cliques. The players need each other over the next four games like never before.
PETER Barnes is the Director of Kick-Off Soccer Centre. Information on 0161 702 9977.
Agree with Barnesy: still feel City will stay up? have your say
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Andrew, Brentford (23/04/2004 at 15:26)
ted knott, droylsden (23/04/2004 at 18:05)
David Humphreys, San Francisco (23/04/2004 at 22:28)
I think the players do try hard, are good enough but are ill prepared. Wow!!! This week they are going to watch a video of the last game. The constant chopping and changing of midfield has been a major problem also.
What this means is that we don't do our homework on the opposition, do not have a clear pattern or system of execution and do not effectively work on fixing the mistakes.
In summary, the blame lies almost entirely with the coaching staff.
The only way out is to back these players as vocally as we can and to help drive them on to the standards they are capable of. The crowd's support for the game against Newcastle will determine if we stay or drop.
colin, canada (25/04/2004 at 22:36)
They are fighting harder than City so may nip Portsmouth who may not care and get a point against Charlton who again may not care as fourth place is now up to Newcastle, Liverpool or Villa.
It's going down to the wire and we will see who folds their tent and goes down.
The sign may have been the missed penalty. We will see but City fans don't deserve the crap being dished out week after week. KK will be the first summer casualty followed by Houllier if Liverpool are not fourth.