Nigel Pearson praises Leicester City fans for 'fantastic' support

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson has hailed the impact of the Walkers Stadium crowd on his players – and has revealed it does make a difference.

Today's clash with Plymouth Argyle doubles as the club's 125th anniversary celebration game, sponsored by the Leicester Mercury.

Another big crowd is expected at the Walkers, although Pearson said it was important the players do not get caught up in the celebrations.

The fans have turned out in force this season and the club's average attendance of 24,093 is the fourth highest in the Championship. Pearson believes it is vital that continues if City are to maintain their promotion push. "I think it is always important to have the fans behind you," he said. "It is important for the team. It is not too important for the managers, but certainly for the players out there. It can have a huge influence.

"At some point we will get criticism and you have to take criticism. But our fans have been fantastic for us.

"It was almost a sell-out against West Brom and this is the Mercury game for 125. There are a lot of sub-plots around it but, ultimately, when you get out on the field we have to make sure we perform.

"The onus is always on us to get it right because the fans are fans. Managers and players come and go but if you are a fan you are a fan. That is something we always have to bear in mind.

"It is important we continue to strive to be as successful as we can, because we know if we do that the fans will stick with us.''

Every time City have had a setback this season they have bounced back immediately in the next game. After the defeat at Newcastle they returned to winning ways against Blackpool and, after the home defeat against Preston, they beat Middlesbrough three days later at the Riverside.

Pearson is confident he will get another positive reaction from his players. "That is what we always try to do," he said.

"We haven't spoken about the West Brom game since we debriefed two days afterwards.

"That is how it has to be. You have to move on from disappointments. While it was disappointing to lose that game, there were a lot of positives. We have had a good week and a half of training and the players are in a very positive mood."

City are anticipating a crowd of more than 26,000 for today's game. And supporters can still take advantage of the reduced-price ticket offer in the Mercury.

There is a coupon in today's paper for fans deciding to grab a last-minute slice of the action. The deadline for buying tickets is noon.

The club has also lined up a host of events to mark the anniversary match. But they are keeping under wraps the identity of the City legend who will be interviewed at half-time by Alan Birchenall.