Pearce targets last four

Stuart Pearce believes his Manchester City players have the mindset to clinch a place in the FA Cup semi-finals tomorrow.

City go into the match at Blackburn on the back of a string of poor results and went down 1-0 to Wigan last weekend.

Pearce has been forced to field a considerable amount of criticism as the club have tumbled to 17th place in the table.

But he believes the cup quarter-final tie is the perfect opportunity to turn things around and insists his players are all in the right frame of mind.

He said: “I have a squad of players desperate to put things right.

“Everyone is keen to get started, so that gives me options. We know it is going to be tough between now and the end of the season.

“But we are probably only a couple of victories away from mid-table and could be about to clinch a semi-final place in the FA Cup.”

Pearce believes new investment in the club is vital if they are to improve next season.

He said: “I am quite aware of the shortcomings in the squad and the club does need an input of funds.

“The chairman (John Wardle) and the board are open minded. Every team in this league need investment.

“Our net outlay this season is half a million pounds. It is not enough to survive in this league regularly. You have to speculate a bit more.”

Pearce refuses to accept the tomorrow’s match could be a defining game in City’s season.

“I have been involved in bigger games – I would like to think the semi-final will be bigger,” he said.

“The next game is the only thing that counts.

“We are taking more than 7,000 fans. They are loyal supporters to the end and deserve some success.”

Pearce may be tempted to change his strike force with Belgium international Emile Mpenza pushing for his first start.

Georgios Samaras and Bernado Corradi were both ineffective in the defeat by Wigan, while Mpenza came on in the second half.

Pearce said: “He did reasonably well when he came on. Any minutes you play in the Premiership are invaluable.”

Darius Vassell (hamstring) and Paul Dickov (toe) could also come into contention after being sidelined through injury.