City boss Pearce refuses to panic
Pearce has enjoyed an impressive first nine months since succeeding Kevin Keegan in March, guiding City to within a missed penalty kick of a place in the UEFA Cup last term, then taking the Eastlands outfit into the higher reaches of the Premiership this season.
But fears brought on by a dip in form prior to the Christmas period have come to crushing reality.
City picked up just one point from their four festive fixtures and the home defeat by Tottenham not only saw City booed off but also brought the first murmurings of discontent with Pearce himself, who was jeered for bringing off popular youngsters Nedum Onuoha and Stephen Ireland during the second half.
Saturday’s FA Cup visit of League One Scunthorpe threatens more misery given City’s chronic recent record in knockout competitions, including a Carling Cup exit to Doncaster earlier this season.
But Pearce said: "You only learn lessons about yourself and those around you when things are going badly.
"At the moment we are having a tough time but it is important everyone at this club rolls their sleeves up and does something about it.
"The booing was as much to do with me as with the players. I am the figurehead.
"It is funny how things change. Fifteen games ago I was going to be the next England manager.
"When things are going well, people get swept along with it. Now the situation is different. That is not a problem for me. I have never been the kind of person who would panic."
But fears brought on by a dip in form prior to the Christmas period have come to crushing reality.
City picked up just one point from their four festive fixtures and the home defeat by Tottenham not only saw City booed off but also brought the first murmurings of discontent with Pearce himself, who was jeered for bringing off popular youngsters Nedum Onuoha and Stephen Ireland during the second half.
Saturday’s FA Cup visit of League One Scunthorpe threatens more misery given City’s chronic recent record in knockout competitions, including a Carling Cup exit to Doncaster earlier this season.
But Pearce said: "You only learn lessons about yourself and those around you when things are going badly.
"At the moment we are having a tough time but it is important everyone at this club rolls their sleeves up and does something about it.
"The booing was as much to do with me as with the players. I am the figurehead.
"It is funny how things change. Fifteen games ago I was going to be the next England manager.
"When things are going well, people get swept along with it. Now the situation is different. That is not a problem for me. I have never been the kind of person who would panic."
