Leicester City: Top-two spot is a huge incentive – Nigel Pearson
Leicester City will move into the automatic promotion places if they beat Middlesbrough tonight and manager Nigel Pearson said the prospect was a huge incentive to his side.
City are on the same number of points as Boro, but sit third in the table on goal difference, just two points behind Hull City, who face Peterborough United tomorrow.
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Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson
Pearson said moving back into the top two would give City a psychological boost, but warned there was still a long way to go in the promotion race.
"That is an incentive, but we are still in January," he said.
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"At the moment, it is about keeping our focus on trying to get performances right because we know we have good players.
"We had a tough run before Christmas but, since Boxing Day, we have done much better and we are back on track.
"The players are confident but at every stage of the season so far they have been able to keep themselves together when questions have been asked of them. That is what you have to do.
"Everyone is under scrutiny. The league is very difficult to be consistent in but, for the most part, we have done well."
"It is where we are at the end of the season that clearly matters, but we want to try and win the game."
Middlesbrough are also enjoying a good season but have had a mixed bag of results recently and were beaten at home by Watford last weekend.
However, Pearson is still expecting a stern test from Tony Mowbray's side tonight in front of the Sky TV cameras.
"Tony will make them difficult to break down," he said. "He is very good tactically. They are having a very good season. He is a good manager with good players.
" Tony is very thorough in his preparation. They will be a difficult nut to crack, there is no doubt about that.
"It is a game that both sides will be trying to win because of the incentives of winning. We know we are up against a very good side."
Comments
by acullingham
Friday, January 18 2013, 7:18PM
“If Man United want him that's the best reason to keep him.Why would we let a young player with potential leave the club?
It doesn't make sense to me. Unless NP feels he needs to stay in with his United connections and his transfer becomes a political brownie point.
Brown, Joachim and Gradel were all sold far too early.
Please keep him Nigel.”
by yorkiefox
Friday, January 18 2013, 6:14PM
“The more top 6 team contenders we have played twice by this stage the better, as the run-in should hopefully be that bit easier”
by Carty2020
Friday, January 18 2013, 4:56PM
“If we win tonight and Dull win tomorrow we are back to 3rd place.”
by LCFCMike
Friday, January 18 2013, 1:12PM
“Need to start at 1,000 miles an hour and get the first goal, as I'm convinced Boro will come and 'park the bus'. With them conceding first, they will have to come out chasing the game, and we will slaughter them under these circumstances.
Looking forward to a 5 - 0 to us.
C'mon Leicester.”
by LCFCMike
Friday, January 18 2013, 1:08PM
“We have Taft and let's not forget Dyer who can do a job at left back, plus the possibility of a new acquisition. No panic whatsoever.”
by yorkiefox
Friday, January 18 2013, 12:53PM
“If the report is true it is a real accolade both for Schlupp and also for the LCFC Academy and John Rudkin in particular.
Schlupp is our cover for Konch, so why let him go to be cover for someone else?
Are we intending to bring on George Taft to take his place or are we going into the market for a left back?
If Schlupp goes we are exposed in this position and whilst Jeffrey is not primarily a Left Back it is obvious that Man Utd see him in that role and like us have high regard for his versatility.
This develops our relationship further with Man Utd and might be the price for Keane staying with us for the season. Schlupp deserves his chance and if Man Utd are prepared to give him it then I delighted for him- but unless we have a replacement in mind I believe it is a mistake for us.
I cannot believe that we would leave ourselves so exposed so we must have something else up our sleeve.”
by TheGeofflane
Friday, January 18 2013, 12:35PM
“Schluppie on trial at Man. Utd! Will miss him if he goes but I suppose we can't say 'no' or we'd lose out on future signings and loanees. Good luck to him if they take him.”
by LCFC18018
Friday, January 18 2013, 12:27PM
“Is anyone else surprised that Schlupp is going to Manchester Utd on trial with a view to a permenent move? Maybe they'll give us Keane in a straight swap. lol”
by yorkiefox
Friday, January 18 2013, 9:51AM
“Resilience is the key.
Now we have pulled ourselves back into contention for the automatic places we have to be consistent in winning.
No more variation in performances. We have to be clinical in dispatching teams that are up there competing with us (like tonight) and not taking the foot of the pedal against less well placed teams.
We need to get our noses in front early, scrap when necessary, be mean in defence and get large scores as our driving force when tempted to coast.
We have been in contention for the top six all season now we need to get into second place, consolidate that position then aim for the top spot and put the pressure on to Hull and Cardiff and perhaps Watford who could fill the vacuum behind us if Boro do not turn us over tonight.”
by dobranich
Friday, January 18 2013, 9:26AM
“Yes automatic or bust. Why not champions?? Leave the play offs to teams we would have beaten earlier in the season had we had a real strike force then. Well not to dwell on that lets push on and get the job done.”