Leicester City: Losing striker Chris Wood proved costly at Peterborough
Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson admitted that losing in-form striker Chris Wood proved decisive at Peterborough on Saturday.
The Kiwi international missed Saturday's 2-1 defeat at London Road after suffering a knock in training.
Having scored seven goals in his previous six games, Wood's absence was felt as City created a host of chances but failed to take them.
But Pearson said that once City had taken the lead through Ben Marshall, they should have seen the game out. Instead, they were rocked by late goals from Davide Petrucci and Grant McCann.
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With Watford and Crystal Palace drawing on Friday, and Hull and Middlesbrough losing 24 hours later, Pearson admitted City had wasted the chance to cement their place in the automatic promotion spots.
"It is a missed opportunity for us,," said Pearson. "But you have to give them some credit for how they finished the game.
"We missed Chris. I think his record speaks for itself. I was disappointed not to have him but, having said that, we created enough chances and I would have expected us to do better.
"I think we had 20 attempts and when you get in front, especially in games like this, you have to go and close it out. We have been careless.
"We have not played as well as we have done and certainly when we went in front I expected us to close the game out. We didn't do that.
"We didn't work hard enough at times and that is something I don't say often about my players. Once they got the equaliser they had a bit more drive than us. That doesn't happen very often."
On the Wood situation, Pearson said: "He took a knock in training and he wasn't available. Hopefully, he won't be out for long."
Pearson said he was confident his side could bounce back quickly from the defeat, with an FA Cup fourth-round replay coming up against Huddersfield tomorrow.
"We have to get on with it," he said. "It is a disappointing result but we have done pretty well so far this season."
21 Comments
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by Alanprichard
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 10:41AM
“Yeah good idea Piles.”
by plies
Monday, February 11 2013, 9:50PM
“Maybe the foreign owners need to get the cheque book out and spend somebody else's money?”
by ghostof66pah
Monday, February 11 2013, 7:15PM
“Nothing to do with Chris Wood missing... It was down to an overall poor team performance especially allowing Peterborough to bully us to defeat in the last 15 mins...
If we can't win without Chris Wood we'd better pray that we stay in a play off place and that he is fully fit and hungry in April/May or it's over for another season....
Enjoy the Ride you blues.................”
by amoros11
Monday, February 11 2013, 4:23PM
“Hull now play twice now, in midweek and on Saturday before our next league game, everyone must hope that they don't pick up too many points in the games. Of course we will have two games in hand, but it's hard to break clear from the pack if we are 2 games 3-6 points behind and consistently playing catch up,.
Also Pearson on the online recorded interview prior to Saturday, question will " Schlupp be available Saturday" Pearson "no Schlupp is still at Manchester United and is enjoying himself there" Pearson is also vague about how long Wood will be out, there needs to be more information , what do other fans think of these situations.”
by dobranich
Monday, February 11 2013, 1:33PM
“The mind boggles Dave. Have fun.”
by Davepridmore
Monday, February 11 2013, 1:31PM
“Sorry for the sticky keyboard errors.”
by Davepridmore
Monday, February 11 2013, 1:29PM
“Yes Tony that s hat a bench should look like. Players for all positions. Saturday's bench had no defenders and I wonder what would have happened if one of the back four had ben injured.”
by dobranich
Monday, February 11 2013, 1:20PM
“tony that's a brilliant line up. I take it you meant Hopper on the bench setup. I hope NP takes a peak at it. Nah far too sensible to be considered. What's the betting on Vardy Nugent up front again and King still in mid field.
plies my condolences I see your German mate has given it best as to the pope set up. Never mind it won't be an English one so don't worry. there ain't much chance of a Chinese take over either so rest easy mate.”
by Tonyglenparva
Monday, February 11 2013, 1:06PM
“My team for tomorrows game
Schmeichel
Moore
Morgan
Keane
Schlupp (If he is only training with Man U give him a game)
Knockaert
Drinkwater
James
Dyer
Nugent
Futacs
Bench
Logan
De Laet
Konchesky
Marshall (if fit)
King
Hooper
Wood (if it)
This would rest soom weiry legs and show young talent in the wings they are not forgotten”
by dobranich
Monday, February 11 2013, 12:46PM
“I'm sorry Nigel but whilst your reasoning Re Chris Wood is stating the obvious It's only you in Most of Leicestershire that cannot see that Jamie Vardy was the wrong choice. Ill bet all the Boro fans, management and Uncle Tom Cobley at their end were delighted to see him up front. You have very little outside of the two main strikers but Futacs was the obvious choice for this one. Geoff is spot on. Thru mis management Jamie Vardy has been ruined. I think that your comment of we created enough chances etc is just a paste on from all the games before Chris Wood came.
No thought was put into the strike line up at all. If you have a big holding type striker injured who was part of the normal line up do you bring a light weight tiny guy on instead???? Tactical astuteness any one? Don't make me laugh”