Pearce aims to banish 'Psycho' style from dug-out

Stuart Pearce fears he may be forced to abandon his "Psycho" image after admitting that he needs to control his emotions more as Manchester City manager.

Stuart Pearce fears he may be forced to abandon his "Psycho" image after admitting that he needs to control his emotions more as Manchester City manager.

Pearce, who is in charge of City until the end of the season after succeeding Kevin Keegan, who resignedlast month, is facing his first home game as manager against Liverpool on Saturday. The former England captain admits that he has been too frantic on the touchline during his first two games in charge, a 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur and last weekend's 2-2 draw at Charlton.

Pearce built a fearsome reputation as a defender during his playing days and he has already translated his passion to the manager's dug-out. However, the 42-year-old believes he has to change his approach after watching television replays of himself at Charlton.

Pearce said: "It comes natural to me to be on the touchline barking and jumping, but I accept that might have to take a back seat now and again.

"Having watched the game again and talked to the coaches, it is possible that I got too emotionally involved at Charlton.

"It is very difficult for me to just stand there and show no emotion. It's a competitive game and I am a competitive person, but maybe I will have to take a step back and look at things.

"Yes, I dance up and down and maybe it is good to get a bit of frustration out of your body. I don't do it for effect.

"But that side of things needs to be broken up a bit so that I don't get totally lost in the game like a player would."

The City full-back Ben Thatcher has returned to training and could be in line for a recall for Saturday's Premiership encounter with Liverpool. The Wales international has missed four games since picking up a hamstring injury in the derby defeat to Manchester United on 13 February, allowing Stephen Jordan to cement a place in Pearce's first-team plans.

If Thatcher is fit, it will provide Pearce with more options as he searches for his first win as City manager. Aside from the long-term casualties Trevor Sinclair and Sun Jihai, plus the England midfielder Shaun Wright-Phillips, who is not expected back until the end of the month, the only fitness doubt concerns Steve McManaman. The former England international has been affected by Achilles trouble for much of what is increasingly looking like the final season of his professional career.

Despite the late goals which cost City a draw at Tottenham and a win at Charlton in Pearce's first two games in charge, there is a feel-good factor around Eastlands, which could well result in Pearce being offered the job permanently.

There is little doubt the playing staff would like him to stay on, with the on-loan Dutch winger Kiki Musampa saying he would have no hesitation in joining the club full-time if a £1.5m deal could be agreed with Atletico Madrid.

"The crowd is great, the stadium is great," said the former Ajax man. "Everything is in place for me to be happy here, so I would love to stay."