Pearce 'impressed' by Barton's passion

In the aftermath of Saturday's draw at Watford, Barton launched a stinging assault on City, criticising his 'average' team-mates, the lack of a long-term plan and claiming problems at the club ran from top to bottom. The England international then admitted he would not have paid to watch City in action this season given the standard of football on offer.

"I do not feel my position has been undermined," Pearce said. "Joey has his own mind but I felt I needed to have a chat with him. I have done that now. When you sit down and speak with him for an hour or so, you get the idea of how passionate he is for this football club and how much he wants to achieve things here."

He added: "In some ways, I am quite impressed by that. He covered quite a few subjects in the interview didn't he?

"But from the first time I saw the transcript of what he said, I didn't think it warranted a disciplinary situation and I still don't now.

"The comments were unhelpful but he just wants to drive the club forward, as I do and the rest of the players do."

Pearce believes there was an element of frustration behind Barton's comments given his relatively poor performance against Watford. And he is adamant that, despite perceived criticism of misfiring strikers Bernardo Corradi and Georgios Samaras in particular, there are no rifts in the camp.

"I cannot see how we could achieve the results we have without rifts, I really don't," he added.

"On the back of poorish runs, your club would be totally destroyed and that has not happened."

Barton's position for Saturday's home encounter with Aston Villa is not under threat, although midfield duo DaMarcus Beasley and Michael Johnson are both doubtful with hamstring strains.