Blues boss Kevin Keegan therefore recognises the potential for City to establish themselves in the upper reaches of the Premiership.
"Right up to the Arsenal game (Jan 4) and the Cup tie (Oldham, Jan 8) there are really interesting games ahead for us," he told the official City website.
"If you can imagine playing well and winning the bulk of those games, then you know we are going to be right on the fringe of the top 6 in the Premiership.
"Lose them and we can be looking at a tough January so you have to look at both sides of it. I am an eternal optimist but I am a realist as well. I know what I would like to happen but I also know what could happen."
Keegan is set to name an unchanged side to face Everton with Joey Barton, Saturday's match-winner at Bolton, available for selection.
The club confirmed today that the 22-year-old midfielder will be fined 6 weeks wages for the infamous incident at the Christmas party with Jamie Tandy, who is to be fined 2 weeks wages. (It has also emerged that Joey was dressed as Jimmy Saville).
"These next five games are absolutely crucial," added Keegan. "Bolton is only a good result if we get something at Everton and we win our two home games."