The City boss said towards the end of the season that some of his big players needed to have a look at themselves and this week he met with each member of the squad to discuss their future.
However, it seems the worst they got was a 'must do better' scribbled on their report card.
The only first-teamers on their way are Kiki Musampa, Albert Riera and David Sommeil.
Musampa and Riera's loan spells expired this summer, and neither have really done enough to convince the club to shell out on a permanent move. Meanwhile, Sommeil has been little more than a makeweight for the last two seasons and was destined to move on this summer anyhow.
Other senior players to be released are veteran back-up keeper Geert de Vlieger (who never made a first-team appearance), defender Mikkel Bischoff (who played just twice since signing for £750k from AB Copenhagen in 2002) and Finnish international midfielder Tuomas Haapala (who signed after a trial last summer but never played).
The other four players to be released are reserve team players Ian Bennett, Karl Bermingham, Paul Collins and Michael Ward.
Pearce has said he is looking to recruit “four top-line players” this summer but is also expected to promote some of City's successful youth team.