This evening, Leicester City lost their third successive match for the first time since Paulo Sousa's reign. To make matters worse, it was a 4-2 home defeat against League Two side Burton Albion, who themselves have lost two of their first three league games this season. Pearson made 8 changes for the Capital One 2nd Round Cup game with only Schmeichel, De Laet and Konchesky keeping their places. Whitbread and St. Ledger returned from injury to form a new centre back partnership. Across midfield were Gallagher, James, Danns and Knockaert with Schlupp and Waghorn up-front.
A 20th minute goal from midfielder Chris Palmer gave the visitors a 1-0 half-time lead. Eight minutes into the second half, Zak Whitbread failed to deal properly with a long ball, allowing Cleveland Taylor to steal a second goal for the visitors. Knockaert pulled one back on the hour mark with a good free-kick before Burton restored their two goal advantage from the penalty spot in the 64th minute. Just 4 minutes later, Maghoma scored an incredible 40-yarder to make the scoreline 4-1. Futacs grabbed a consolation goal three minutes from time, spectacularly hooking an innocuous cross. In 5 competetive matches so far this season, Leicester's 7 strikers have managed a total of just three goals, not a brilliant return at this stage.
It's a dangerous cocktail for Leicester at the moment. Defensive errors, missed opportunities, losing matches and uncertainty about what the strongest team is. It won't get any easier for manager Nigel Pearson. Next up, Saturday's visit from top of the table Blackpool, who have won all three league games so far, including a 6-0 demolition of Ipswich last weekend. Following that fixture, a fortnight's break. Pearson won't welcome that break unless City have managed to get back to winning ways against Blackpool. No pressure then Nigel but something seems to be broken and it needs to be fixed....quickly!
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