Nigel Pearson pinpoints reasons for Leicester City's FA Cup defeat
Poor quality in both penalty areas cost Leicester City their place in the FA Cup fifth round, said manager Nigel Pearson.
City have been one of the Championship's highest scorers and boast the meanest defence this season, but they were off-form in both departments when they suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night.
While defensive lapses were punished, particularly for Sean Scannell's winner when he was allowed to skip past Matty James and Paul Konchesky to score, City also wasted opportunities in front of goal.
Pearson said they knew where they had to improve. "We haven't been good enough in both boxes, that is the best way to sum up the game," he said.
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"We have conceded a couple of poor goals. For the first one we could have avoided giving away the free-kick from which they scored.
"For the second one, we were done on the counter-attack, which wasn't a good goal to give away. That is disappointing.
"And we haven't been clinical in their box when the chances came along.
"We probably didn't secure the ball well enough. We had opportunities but things didn't quite fall our way.
"I thought in the first half we passed the ball well enough and there were some good passages of play, but we didn't look as dangerous as we have done.
"They came with a game plan and got everyone behind the ball and played counter-attacking football. They were tough to break down and we had to be patient.
"But when you concede a goal like the second goal, at the time it came as well, it is not always easy to recover, although we did have opportunities after that."
Pearson said there was not a lack of effort from his players and said there were some positive aspects of Tuesday's performance.
"We have a relatively tight squad and we had some players out there who have not played an awful lot of first-team football this season for us," said Pearson, who made four changes from the side that lost at Peterborough United on Saturday.
"The players applied themselves in the manner I would expect them to. There is a good work ethic here but, what let us down, was our quality at crucial times.
"I think there is sometimes the temptation to have your perspective dictated by the result. I have to look at things in a more measured way.
"There were aspects of our performance which I think were positive.
"But I know what has cost us has been the quality in both boxes, which has not been what it has been. Sometimes that happens.
"We have not been at our best. We are disappointed to be out of the Cup.
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by Alanprichard
Thursday, February 14 2013, 9:56PM
“Deano63
It still does not alter the fact that we shipped 4 goals in two games, and only scored twice.
PILES what a dunb statement to say Futacs cost us the game. Our whole team cost us the game not just Futacs....For Pete's sake sling your hook, and move to Germany where your roots are.”
by Peakfox
Thursday, February 14 2013, 8:24PM
“Really disappointing to see City go out of the FA Cup like that.........no respect being shown to a once great competition...........many of us remember the great Cup campaigns of years gone by........it seems like the FA Cup is now a competition for Premier League and Championship reserve sides......and as for this `need a rest`argument........nonsense......players regularly used to play 60 games a season without any problem........i think NP is happy to have a free weekend......he certainly selected an un-motivated side who showed no skill,little effort,minimum commitment.......and the manager must take the responsibility for that......i am saddened to have witnessed that pitiful shambles and it showed little respect for fans,many who had travelled long distances to be there.........still they`re only fans aren`t they and they don`t matter!.........the club has missed out on a money spinning tie on ITV 1 against Wigan.......i just don`t understand why so little importance was attached to the Huddersfield game.”
by ghostof66pah
Thursday, February 14 2013, 5:48PM
“That's strange?
That's exactly what Brendan Rogers said about Liverpool after their defeat at home to WBA???
Did NP really say that?”
by Carty2020
Thursday, February 14 2013, 4:41PM
“Nigel you pick the team. it's no good bleating about it now. you put that team out and it was not good enough. I don't think you wanted to win !!!”
by Deano63
Thursday, February 14 2013, 2:43PM
“I see all the NP wannabes and football exerts are spouting their uneducated, negative drivel Thank goodness big Nige is in charge! Great position in league coupled with best defence and best goal difference is in my mind a MASSIVE positive! COYB.”
by iancarn
Thursday, February 14 2013, 12:51PM
“Not enough quality in the squad,we should send at least 4 players out on loan to get match fit,plus lets use the loan system,must be premier players that need match time,come on NP before we blow all the good work to date.UP THE BLUES//”
by dobranich
Thursday, February 14 2013, 10:42AM
“AW all of your reasons are accurate but had his saviour Chris Wood been playing as Basil Fawlty would have said. " I think I got away with it"
Despite the rubbish team selection and tactics, the lack of desire and no quality in depth we would probably have still won.”
by LCFCMike
Thursday, February 14 2013, 10:22AM
“So we lose Saturday and Tuesday night. When will it get sorted? Hopefully against Charlton.”
by plies
Thursday, February 14 2013, 10:16AM
“Futacs cost us the win, simple as. And the foreign owners are not helping matters, they havent said a word since they took over in 2010. Nobody knows their intentions. Have they borrowed money against the club? uncertain times at present.
I want the owners out of my club and they can take futacs with them, along with delate.”
by Absolute Window Solutions Ltd
Thursday, February 14 2013, 10:07AM
“I can pinpoint a few reasons for you Nigel!!!
Firstly I don't think you wanted to win that game because of fixture congestion and also so that you could concentrate on the league!
Poor team selection!
Poor tactics!
The squad has no quality in depth!
Lack of commitment from the team on the night!”