Boss confident turn around will come
Saturday 8 November 2014 19:25, UK
Nigel Pearson says his Leicester team will keep on fighting to arrest their alarming slump in form.
Despite frustrating high-flying Southampton for long periods during their contest at St Mary’s, the hosts eventually emerged as 2-0 winners, meaning that Leicester, since beating Manchester United in September, have taken just one point from their last six games.
The poor run of results has left last season’s Championship winners third from bottom in the Premier League but Pearson says they can turn their fortunes around.
There’s no doubting when you’re in a run like we’re in, it becomes increasingly difficult for players to be positive.
“It was a performance in which we worked hard to stay in the game but we’re on a really tough run at the moment,” he said.
“You could argue we’re not getting the breaks but you could also argue they are an exceptionally good, talented side. We huffed and puffed but didn’t show quality at key moments.
“Unfortunately the run continues of not keeping clean sheets and not scoring enough goals. That is tough for the players at the moment.
“One of the key things for us is to continue to strive to learn. It’s not just about being in the Premier League, it’s about dealing with different types of pressures at this level. You mustn’t believe in some of negative things said.
“I know we’re capable of performing. At the moment we’re finding it difficult to reproduce good enough form to put us in a strong position in games. But we’ll keep battling through it and that’s the key thing. The players will continue to work hard and we certainly need to.”
Pearson also accepted that his players are struggling to deal with the recurring setbacks mentally.
The team looked clearly dejected when Long broke the deadlock on Saturday and Pearson says it is understandable they let their heads drop.
“We were very successful last year and used to winning games,” he explained. “The shift in momentum and mind-set of dealing with results is potentially more difficult. But they’ll continue to get my support and as a staff we’ll nudge them in the right direction and we’ll come through it.
“There’s no doubting when you’re in a run like we’re in, not scoring goals to give you a chance of coming through the other side, it becomes increasingly difficult for players to be positive. Dealing with disappointment in a game becomes increasingly difficult for players.
“But there were aspects of the game I was pleased with today. We need to get back to our best levels – I’m talking about the technical and tactical side. The players are working hard but we’re going to have to do a bit more.”
