Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson urges Jamie Vardy deputy to take his chance
Nigel Pearson has challenged whoever replaces Jamie Vardy in Leicester City's attack against Birmingham City this afternoon to take his chance.
Vardy is not expected to start after missing training through illness since the club's last Championship game two weeks ago
It means that Martyn Waghorn, Jeff Schlupp or Marko Futacs are in the frame to step in.
Vardy has scored four goals in 11 appearances this season and forged a strong partnership with David Nugent in recent weeks. But Pearson is confident that, whoever he picks, will rise to the challenge.
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"As always, if a player misses out then it is an opportunity for someone else," said Pearson.
"We haven't made too many changes this season because we have been playing well. There have been a number of players who have had to be patient for their opportunity.
"I think when players do get their opportunity, the ball is in their court.
"They have to maximise that opportunity by playing as well as they can and keeping their place. That is what it is all about.
"There is no point talking about competition for places if players don't step up and take that opportunity."
City travel to St Andrew's looking to extend their five-game winning streak. In contrast, the Blues have been struggling and sit just one place above the relegation places.
Lee Clark's men are still reeling from a humiliating 5-0 home drubbing against Barnsley, and were also beaten at home by Huddersfield Town. But Pearson doesn't think they will struggle for long.
"I don't expect them to be down there for too long because they have too many good players and I know Lee very well from my time at Newcastle," he said.
"It is a bit of a surprise to see them in the position they are in.
"We have to make sure we go there and put on a good performance ourselves and play near to our max as we can.
"We want to improve our performances if anything. It is a dangerous situation to go to places like Birmingham, with the players they have got, and expect to have a comfortable game. It won't be. But we have to make sure they don't have an easy time at home.
"First and foremost, I want to see from my players the performances levels we have reached so far.
"We have been in every game we have played this year. We have won seven and lost three and, in those three defeats, we could have got something out of each of them. Those are the standards we have to maintain for the whole season.
"There will be a time when things don't quite go our way but, if we play in a fashion in which we are always in the game, then that is the mentality we have to take us forward."
Comments
by dobranich
Sunday, October 21 2012, 7:30PM
“By the way "noone takes notice" Read Norman 09 who has not always agreed my posts and outfoxed???? foxUlike yes was class bully i could always pick out the dorks ok. Dont mean you by that. In any case as for De Laet he wrote in the LM saying how he was making lots of mistakes or maybe some folk think i wrote it for him. He will be ok in time but he ain ok right now.”
by dobranich
Sunday, October 21 2012, 7:22PM
“Point taken Geoff lets wait see. As for Coalvillefox well thats Coalville???? Idiots thru and thru as all us Whitwick folk think. Must say Geoff your points do make me think. Im warming to your views. Anyway ive seen City more times than Coalvillefox has detected a brain cell.
I just think that Ferguson despite the fact that i cant stand him knows a prospect. When we had Ceverley he wouldnt let us sign him and look how well he has done. I think he can sniff out possible future developers. I watched QPR v Everton today and although QPR are bottom they are on a different planet to Leicester. If City go up within 6 months either it will be a virtual 75% new team or we will have problems. Those QPR overseas players are very talented. Lets get there first and see. Just remember you read this here or in CF s case ask your carer to remind you.”
by yorkiefox
Sunday, October 21 2012, 7:08PM
“So Becks is beginning to score goals at Huddersfield.
Posters are saying we need to sign a goalscorer in January. If Becks can get his head right and continue to score goals whilst on loan we may already have a proven goalscorer on our books- unless he has contracted the DJ Campbell disease and has now become terminal.”
by Coalvillefox
Sunday, October 21 2012, 6:15PM
“Dorset, that's how Dobo's mind works. Pick on one thing if the game is not going favourably and post multiple times repeating the same message, eg I don't like De Laet. What's amazing is that we have a squad of players all pulling in the same direction and wanting to do well. Remember he was calling for Pearson's head in preseason. Any way you got it right nobody takes any notice anyy more. He is as bad as FF for rubbishing a side he never watches live. In the end a good point at Brum. S”
by DorsetFox
Sunday, October 21 2012, 6:02PM
“Dob
5 posts rubishing one player- a disgrace- why do it, no one is listening”
by foxeerod
Sunday, October 21 2012, 5:17PM
“insvenwetrust, are you sure ? with huddersfield sitting in third place and just two points behind us, they have a great shot at promotion..... especially if beckford keeps playing and scoring as he is”
by DorsetFox
Sunday, October 21 2012, 4:37PM
“Geoff- I called him a lump- got it wrong- Wes is outstanding
Did anyone see Wortho at the game”
by DorsetFox
Sunday, October 21 2012, 4:34PM
“Oh how Beckford is needed- at Brum and Btol games we played really well but could not put chances away- Nugent played well but we need a finisher
Dobo- you have a certain mind set about Vardy and De Laet
Vardy looks good to me- fantastic work rate which takes pressure off defence and midfield- yes he needs more time- to develop his finishing at this level but I think he is a great signing.
I have been impressed with De Laet in the last 2 games especially yesterday- Dobbo you saw him make a couple of mistakes early in the season and read a post or two from Norwich fans- and bingo your mind is made up?.
At the moment we look brilliant great attractive football”
by TheGeofflane
Sunday, October 21 2012, 3:56PM
“Dobby, we all know Moore's gonna be a great player, but he's still a (big) kid learning and the Wolves game found him out. Just as Nigel is proving right about Morgan, who was called a 'lump' by someone on here when we signed him, why don't you wait to see how de Laet settles in? Nigel signs 'lumps of coal' and then makes 'em 'diamonds' (Apologies to my friend Billy Joe Shaver).”
by lcfctilidie
Sunday, October 21 2012, 2:01PM
“A good performance, dominating the game away from home again.
The only reason we didnt win was a world class performance from Jack Butland in their goal.”