Dunne, who replaced Distin as skipper before the current campaign began, condemned the contribution of many of City's recent signings saying they had not done enough to justify their position at the club.

Distin was one of the players he exonerated in his attack, which beleaguered manager Stuart Pearce insisted earlier this week had not created a division within his squad.

However, on the eve of Saturday's Barclays Premiership encounter at Middlesbrough, which could easily be Pearce's last match in charge unless City can halt a run of five successive league defeats, Distin had lifted the lid on the anger Dunne has caused.

"The foreign players, particularly the French and Italians, have not taken it well at all," the French defender said.

"They have taken it personally.

"I think you should discuss things face-to-face, man-to-man and try and understand one another. That is the best way to progress.

"It is a difficult time but we have to stick together.

"We have to communicate amongst ourselves and stop blaming one another for mistakes. Sticking together until the end is key."

Under-performing striking duo Bernardo Corradi and Georgios Samaras have born the brunt of fans' anger at City's recent performances.

The pair have struggled badly to have any impact throughout the campaign and City's paltry 20-goal tally is a major reason why they currently lie fourth bottom, just six points clear of Charlton in the final relegation slot.

Given the Blues have scored just once in six games since the New Year's Day defeat of Everton, there is a very real fear the club could get sucked into the bottom three at a time when chairman John Wardle is attempting to conclude negotiations over a £70million takeover which could bring much needed funds into the Eastlands outfit.

Wardle is keenly aware of the catastrophic effect relegation would have on City's finances and Pearce's immediate future depends on proving he is the man to halt the current slide, and bring the fans, who have turned increasingly hostile, back on board.

Distin is acutely aware the problems are mounting up at Pearce's door. And, while his own comments have hardly helped the situation, the former Newcastle defender does not believe the manager should be axed.

"If we get better results, there will be less pressure on his (Pearce's) shoulders," he said.

"All he can do is direct us, give us advice and guide us on the best way to play during training.

"Once we are on the pitch during a game, the whole thing depends on the players.

"Changing the manager is not the best solution at this particular moment in time. We would still be the same players.

"It would be a shame if we had to change the manager in order to get motivated."