Leicester City striker Jermaine Beckford told: Prove to me you're worthy
Jermaine Beckford has to prove he is worthy of a place in the Leicester City team, says manager Nigel Pearson.
The striker was omitted from City's 18-man squad for Sunday's victory against Hull at the King Power Stadium.
Beckford's exclusion sparked further speculation that he would soon be on his way out of City on loan.
Huddersfield have maintained their interest in the player, who they almost signed on loan during the transfer window only for City to stop Beckford's departure at the last minute.
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Beckford is one of City's top earners, but Pearson said that was not a consideration when he is picking his squad.
"Any players who are left out the side, the onus is on them to work hard to get back in there and other players have done more to warrant their places," said Pearson, who refused to be drawn on Beckford going out on loan.
"So, I'm not bothered whether they are perceived to be high-profile or youngsters, players have to earn their right to be in there.
"If players aren't selected, the onus is on them to respond. I don't care if they are senior players or young professionals.
"My job is to pick a side that is best for the club and the team, in terms of being able to produce results. Those who are not involved, it is up to them to work hard to get back in.
"I am not bothered if they are high earners or low earners, it doesn't interest me."
Pearson praised striker David Nugent, who started the season on the substitutes' bench as Beckford was initially preferred.
Nugent has worked his way back into the side and, a few days after scoring his first goal of the season in the victory against Burnley, he scored the first hat-trick of his career as City beat the Tigers 3-1 on Sunday.
"You have to have faith in the players you believe in," said Pearson. "He didn't start the season but, since he has been back in there, he has worked very hard.
"It is about winning games, and who scores the goals is irrelevant as far as I am concerned. But as far as strikers are concerned, in terms of their own confidence, they need to be scoring goals and getting chances."
Comments
by Foxyknows
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 10:06PM
“I agree with Rachel...Mat Mills sat around last season and went, also it seems that several players recruited by Sven are definately not NP flavour and Beckford falls into that category, so the club should just let him go!!!
I dont understand why the club blocked the loan arrangement and then doesnt put the player in the squad, he cant perform or prove anything if he isnt picked ?
Let all those boys that dont wanna play leave and get in some young hungry foxes..”
by ghostof66pah
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 9:33PM
“djfox1
Couldn't have put it any better. Totally agree with your great post.
lcfc minus JB = Happy Days...........”
by dobranich
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 5:42PM
“I overwhelmed Geoff. I remember SGE desperate to sign a key striker. Despite his great "charisma" noone he tried for would come. Beckford if i remmber was a last minute last ditch signing before the window closed.”
by FoxUlike
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 4:49PM
“I don't think he ever really wanted to join Leicester City.
It's interesting that Beckford, Mills and Danns all turned down the opportunity to play at a higher level in favour of joining Sven at LCFC.
One year later and none of them are even in the first team squad.”
by ash1967
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 3:49PM
“If it was'nt for the hat trick against the trees, Beckford would have gone down has the worst signing, but he goes in at third place for me at the moment behind Tommy English & Ade Akinbiyi, need to get rid possibly to Huddersfield (hopefully their goals will dry up then)”
by yorkiefox
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 2:29PM
“Hann75
Spot on.
Beckford does not fit into the team at present due to his lack of team ethic. That is his problem and he just has to get his mind right and make himself indispensible before it is too late and his career has passed him by.
The atmosphere on the pitch on Sunday felt right, at long last and NP needs backing for what he is doing- leave out the dissenters and coasters and get players wanting to help eachother by making lung-bursting late runs to help their team mates, and by not giving them hospital balls to get the passer out of trouble at the expense of the recipient.
The team is still work in progress but we are certainly looking promising, with everyone in the team knowing what is expected of them”
by djfox1
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 2:28PM
“There's an almost inevitable certainty about the Beckford saga.Before I come to that I'll just offer my perspective on the guy. I've been watching the City for well over 40 years now and I'm as City crazy now as I was when I first stood in the Kop at Filbo as a 12 year old footie virgin. I've seen great City players..Banks, Shilton,Sjoberg,Cross,Worthington, Weller, Birchenall...to name but a few.....I've seen good, hard working, honest players who may not have had that previously mentioned 'great' prefix but worked long and tirelessly for a half decent wage but I think primarily because they loved football and they loved the City. I've also seen some players who just hadn't got it, players who, if they put their shirt on the right way round got a round of applause. But these guys still TRIED to play, TRIED to win. The one common denominator with all these players from a halcyon age is that they had love for the game they played and love and loyalty to the club and their fans.
Which brings me back to JB...I don't doubt that he's got the skill and ability somewhere in his make up to be able to be a decent Leicester player, but he aint got the DESIRE!.There's no fire in his belly, no anguish on his face when a shot hits a post or is cleared off the line....just a look of 'never mind, I'll have a nice hot bath, watch Match of the Day and check to see whether my 30 grands gone in this week'.
I hope Nigel doesn't pick you again JB, but if he does, do me a favour and TRY!”
by Norman09
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 12:45PM
“Geez if I had to pay a worker 25k a week" I would have him at least doing a bit of gardening or cleaning windows, or perhaps have him making the coco down at the training pitch. There must be a 101 jobs need doing around the place. I was a great fan of Beks but he hasn't shown much since his goal rout in last seasons FA cup. His future doesn't look to bright now at Leicester now, does it?”
by Rachel_Leics
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 12:42PM
“JB either needs to play or go we can't afford to let him sit about all day x”
by Eastonian
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 12:09PM
“The effort put in by every man jack of the team on Sunday was excellent. Regrettably Beckford appears unable to offer the same and never really has done since he arrived here.
I have had the distinct impression that he feels as though he is too good for the Championship, alas, when his selection performances have arrived he has not lived up to his reputation or billing. Obviously, Sven thought he was one who could take us to the 'Promised Land' but it appears his faith in him hasn't be proven.”