The England keeper wants to play in Europe with the Blues, and with many of the games remaining against close rivals in the league table, he is confident we can do it.
Manager Kevin Keegan has played down City's chances due to his injury-hit squad, but with the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle and Middlesbrough still in with a shout of claiming European honours this year, James points out that it could give City a European lifeline.
"The 5th and 6th places are up for grabs and we want to be one of the sides challenging for them,” he told the official City website.
"We have yet to play Bolton, Middlesbrough, Spurs, Charlton and Liverpool, who are all in the mix with us, so we have it in our own hands to make progress.
"Granted, we have a slightly smaller squad than we would like, but the 6th place has to be our realistic goal.
"I don't know how the European places will shape up if certain teams win certain competitions. It may go down to 7th but that's what we have to aim for and I think we are playing well enough in terms of performances to do that.
"All season I have been hoping we can get into a European position and I am still hoping for that."