Pearce determined to fight on

Stuart Pearce has pointed Manchester City’s board in the direction of West Ham and Charlton as proof sacking managers in mid-season does not necessarily work.

Two years after succeeding Kevin Keegan as Blues boss, Pearce is under severe pressure after a run of four successive Barclays Premiership defeats, followed by an FA Cup quarter-final exit at Blackburn, left City staring at nothing more palatable than a battle to avoid relegation.

Speculation is rife City chairman John Wardle is on the brink of showing Pearce the door, with results in tonight’s clash with Premiership title-chasers Chelsea and Saturday’s trip to Middlesbrough set to determine his fate.

However, despite being the only clubs to change managers this season, West Ham and Charlton remain in an even worse state than City.

“We all know in life sometimes the squeeze is going to be on you but you have to be nice and strong,” said Pearce.

“I don’t see too many massive uplifts in respect to one or two of the clubs who have changed their managers this year.”