Sven-Goran Eriksson has warned Manchester City fans not to get too upset if the club fails to qualify for the Champions League this season.City were outstanding in the first half of the campaign and nine straight home wins in the Premier League encouraged hopes of a top-four finish.

With Liverpool struggling for form on the pitch and engulfed in turmoil off it, the teams directly below them have sensed a real opportunity to snatch fourth spot.

City, however, have now failed to win their last three league outings on home soil and Eriksson admitted they were fortunate to escape from Sunday's 1-1 draw with West Ham with their unbeaten home record intact.

Dreams of the Champions League may be fading, but Eriksson insists merely qualifying for European competition would be an achievement after last season's flirtation with relegation and dismal 14th-placed finish.

"It would be wrong to say that fourth place is our target and everything else is bad," said Eriksson, whose 14 major trophies during his managerial career amount to more silverware than City have won in their entire history.

"It can't be like that because I think we've been doing very well so far.

"We should be very happy if we play in Europe next season.

"Of course we're going to try and take the fourth place but if we don't we shouldn't be too depressed."

A chronic lack of firepower is seriously undermining City's efforts and Eriksson admitted he must strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes if Europe is to remain within their grasp.

The Swede is currently without Nery Castillo and Emile Mpenza due to injury while Rolando Bianchi (five) and Darius Vassell (three) could hardly be described as prolific.

Eriksson acknowledged: "We are working hard to make things better.

"I think we have a good opportunity to do it and I know that the owner (Thaksin Shinawatra) would like to do it as well."

West Ham also look capable of having a say in the race for Europe after acquiring the backbone they lacked for the majority of last season.

The Hammers have only conceded nine goals away from home this term - they conceded six in one game at Reading last season - and Alan Curbishley has several big-name players returning to fitness.

Against City on Sunday, Curbishley was missing Dean Ashton, Matthew Etherington, Nolberto Solano, Kieron Dyer, Craig Bellamy and Scott Parker.

Their return in the coming weeks will bolster West Ham significantly as they seek to muscle their way into contention for a UEFA Cup spot.

Curbishley said: "There are a lot of people that we invested heavily in during the close season but they have only played a handful of games between them.

"And if we can get one or two back - and freshen it up and carry on being as committed as we are - then we would like to finish in the top eight.

"First we need to catch the two teams above us - Blackburn and Portsmouth - because we know we can compete in the Premier League and we're showing that week in, week out."

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