Pearce targets big finish
10 Apr 2007 - 08:46:28
Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce is refusing to get carried away even after the impressive 3-1 victory at Fulham lifted his side nine points clear of the bottom three.
City have now reached the 40-point mark that is usually enough to avoid relegation, but Pearce is thinking only of continuing to climb the table.
After sealing a third successive away victory, Pearce said: "What we've thought about is that we've had a reasonable run, we're on 40 points now and can we go into the summer undefeated?
"Finishing as high as we can has been our only thought. I'm not going to say that we're happy just with 40 points and then stop motivating my group of players.
"I'm disappointed that we've let a goal in. If we'd kept a clean sheet we'd be a place higher in the league and we need to finish as high as we can.
"I want to nail the teams above us, but with our run-in it's going to be tough. I've seen this year that you never know when the next victory or draw is coming from, and I have to keep a balanced view as a manager.
"Let the fans and the players go home happy, but don't expect me to go home happy! I'm pleased with the result, but not happy.
"This squad has a great spirit and I now have almost a fully-fit squad to pick from and everyone is fighting for a place in the team.
"This season, our Achilles heel has been being unable to put the ball in the net. Defensively we've been solid, but haven't scored many goals, so it was nice to score three and the three players all took their chances well."