NIGEL PEARSON IS backing Leicester City to win the Premier League title race, but the ex-Foxes boss admits that he won’t be overjoyed for everyone at the club if they do.
Pearson left Leicester in acrimonious circumstances last summer, when he was dismissed after criticising how the club handled a disciplinary process involving his son James, who was one of three players sacked after an incident on a tour of Thailand.
Claudio Ranieri replaced Pearson at the King Power Stadium and Leicester began this season as one of the favourites for relegation. However, Ranieri’s side have defied the odds in remarkable fashion. With 12 games remaining, they’ve got a two-point lead at the top of the table.
“They’ll win it. I think they’ll win the Premier League. Why? Because they won’t be distracted by the hype. A lot of people in the game haven’t really sussed what Leicester are about,” said Pearson, in an exclusive interview with The Times.
“They’ve got some really good players. Jamie Vardy’s form has been unbelievable — but collectively they are a bloody strong group. They’re extremely resilient. They coped with the pressure extremely well last year and they are doing the same this year.
“They won’t be interested in what anyone else says. They are concentrating on themselves, playing to their strengths and their identity whereas, to me, a lot of other sides have lost their way. Leicester have no fear, good luck to them.”
He added: “It would be a mixture of feelings, let’s be honest. I would be delighted for a lot of people there — players, staff and fans — but I would be dishonest if I said I would be happy for everyone there. Of course, I wouldn’t be.”
Pearson also believes his own contribution to Leicester’s success shouldn’t be under-estimated. Under his reign, they won seven of their final nine games last season to preserve their Premier League status.
“Leicester are where they are because they’ve had a fantastic season and because their manager has managed skilfully and sensibly,” said the former Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough defender.
“But also because they previously had someone in charge who was able to front it up and make tough decisions when they needed to be made. I know how pivotal the work I did for them was to be in the situation they’re in now.”
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A loss, he was coming to form… and is an exciting player on attack. A lot of people disappointed with him at the start of the season but Munster were playing poorly as a team anyway. He as individual wasn’t going to make Munster a success overnight.
I would of loved to see him remain for another year. Compared to R Scannell he’s far more of a treat and has great running lines and ball in hand skills for off loading and making the pass.
Beir bua Malakai
Hello bundee?
@Gary Galligan: Bundee won’t be going anywhere, sorry to burst your bubble.
@Gary Galligan: they’ve already signed Nankivell
@Gary Galligan: already signed Alex Nankivell. No Bundee after that id say!
@Gary Galligan: why are you saying hello to Bundee??? We have a centre signed
Awful start. But seemed to kick into gear after been dropped.
Still not the player that was on the world cup winning team, but good signing all same. They have been really impressive benetton this year.
@Paddy Waggon: Benetton at home have been very very good, away from home have only beat Zebre and Ospreys. Looks like they are acting like the Top 14 teams, in having a home team and away team. Think for this last stretch they will just play strongest team available. They have a lot more non Italian players than in years past, look to have picked up a number of good Argentinians from Jaguares plus have a lot of good young players coming though.
Even with the new lad coming from NZ, feels a bit light at centre.
Frisch has made a good start and Scannell is a solid backup, but Goggin hasn’t looked up to it in recent season. Gibbons is the one academy centre and only year 1.
Wonder if Munster will go to the market again? Either IQ or NIQ
@Johnny 5: you forgot Oli Morris
@Kingshu: Short term signing as emergency cover for Farrell no? I haven’t seen him in a 23 yet. Hardly staying on
Shocking state of affairs but I reckon Leinster have at least 5 centres ahead of any of what Munster can put out – apart from henshaw and ringrose there’s O’Brien osborne ngatai and Frawley
And while it may seem a slight on Munster I see it more as a massive problem for Irish rugby
@John Lowry: thought another centre, Liam Turner was one of the best players going forward last weekend
@John Lowry: We’ve always had problems in the middle of the park really.
How many would cup winners have played for Irish provinces? Munster have had 3 recently. Perhaps some of Harrison (Ulster) Langford or Williams ??
@Ciaran Kennedy: Mils Muliaina for Connacht too.
@Ciaran Kennedy: Thorn Leinster?
@Ciaran Kennedy: all the 2007 bokke. Botja Munster Ulster, Pienaar Ulster, Muller Ulstrr, CJ at Leinster.
@Ciaran Kennedy: don’t see your point really …, but as you brought up the topic Leinster could possibly have about 12 by the end of the year all going well … and Munster Ulster and Connaught should also reap the awards.
@Ciaran Kennedy: don’t see your point really …, but as you brought up the topic Leinster could possibly have about 12 by the end of the year all going well … and Munster Ulster and Connaught should also reap the awards.
@Cathal Carr: Jesus hadn’t remembered Pienaar was there back in 07.
I think the ‘Bundee to Munster’ issue is still open. There is still a space at Munster as Farrell is also gone. It seems to me the basic question is whether Bundee’s relationship with the Connacht management is resolved. Are they going to play him? If not, there is no point in a centrally contracted player rotting away
Leave out the interprovincial BS it was a personal decision, I wish him and his family the best. Nothing personal to the clubs is my take