MIDDLESBROUGH -- Vincent Kompany has said it is vital that Manchester City secure a Champions League place and predicted Pep Guardiola's second season in charge could be "exceptional."
City have qualification in their own hands despite dropping points in Sunday's 2-2 draw at relegation-threatened Middlesbrough.
While Guardiola will finish a season without a trophy for the first time in his managerial career, Kompany believes a top-four finish will build anticipation.
And the City captain said the players were desperate to secure a Champions League place for a seventh successive season.
"I'd swing the hammer if I had to, if I thought there was a lack of motivation or lack of desire, but I really believe that's not the case," Kompany told reporters.
"Finish strongly now and we give ourselves something to look forward to next season, because you want to be in four competitions.
"Sometimes exceptional seasons are built on a season like this."
Kompany, 31, has started five of City's last six games after injury reduced him to just six appearances in the previous six months.
And he urged Etihad Stadium fans to help them overcome recent stumbles on their own pitch, with their next three games back on home turf.
City have won only half of their 16 Premier League home matches, but Kompany said: "I firmly believe playing at home gives teams a big advantage and we have to look at it in that way.
"We have to feel that the fans will play a big role in that. There is no point waiting for Champions League games any more -- it's those games that will be important and we need everyone to be there to create the extra man.
"There is nothing else on our minds but to finish strongly, and we will have to start well because the first minutes are equally as important as the last minutes in the game.
"So we want everyone to be there early and be ready to push because it's a job we are going to have to do together."