There is speculation in the newspapers today that if Leicester lose at home to Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow, then Nigel Pearson will lose his job. This is quite frankly ridiculous. Pearson came in half way through last season and the club finished in 9th place. This season, Pearson's first full season in charge, the club are on course to finish in 5th place. The manager has had to weed out and remove devisive characters in the squad. He has had to re-balance the squad from the mess that was left by his predecessor, cutting the wage bill in the process. He has brought in young, talented players like Wood, Morgan, De Laet, Keane, Drinkwater, James. If City finish in the play-off places, regardless of the eventual outcome, it represents progress from last season. Therefore, the manager has earned the right to continue in his job next season too.
If the Foxes fail to gain promotion in 2013/14, the owners should re-assess the situation then. A change of manager now could move City in the wrong direction. After all, Pearson is statistically one of the best managers Leicester have ever had. During his first spell in charge of the club, Pearson won 51.4% of matches. No other Leicester manager in history (minimum of 10 games in charge) has a better record. The second best record belonged to Frank O'Farrell who won 46.27% of matches between 1968 and 1971. Guess who is in third place in the all time list? Nigel Pearson - during this spell, with a win ratio of 45.33%. These statistics don't lie. Pearson is doing a good job. The only route to Premiership is based on stability, continuity and building good foundations. Looking for City's 15th manager this century is not the answer.
Konchesky is out of tomorrow's match against Sheffield Wednesday with a hamstring injury - expect St. Ledger or Schlupp, who returns from his trial at Manchester United, to deputise at left back. I wouldn't expect the Kane experiment to continue in midfield. He is likely to be on the bench with Marshall and Knockaert playing wide. The visitors have lost their last two matches and sit 20th in the Championship table.
Score prediction: 2-0
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