Man City v West Ham
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ByEurosport
Published 20/03/2006 at 16:51 GMT
Manchester City defender Richard Dunne sees his side's best chance of qualifying for European competition next year coming from success in the FA Cup. Stuart Pearce's side face West Ham on Monday in the first of the week's quarter final action.
FOOTBALL 2005-2006 Premiership Manchester City Richard Dunne
Image credit: Imago
City have impressed under Pearce this season, and talk of a European adventure cannot be easily dismissed around Eastlands.
"Europe is the next step for the club and something we really want to achieve," said Dunne.
"It was one of our targets at the start of the season and, while it is looking quite difficult as far as the league is concerned, we could be only two wins away from doing it in the FA Cup.
"I am sure if we did get into Europe, we could attract even better players than we have now who could get us in every season."
But the timing of Monday's quarter final could be better for Dunne. City, and West Ham, played on Saturday in the Premiership, allowing just a day's rest before the most important game of their season so far.
"We are talking about the biggest cup competition in the world," Dunne explained.
"It is an important occasion, not just for the players but the country as a whole and these matches should be on a weekend.
"I suppose you could argue not having much time to think about the game is a good thing.
"But, the preparation is not ideal and I am sure it would not have been that difficult to move one set of Premiership matches to midweek to accommodate the quarter-finals."
Follow all the action LIVE, right here on eurosport.com, from 21:05cet on Monday, and then throughout the week as the remaining three quarter finals are decided.
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