Nigel Pearson sends rallying cry to Leicester squad ahead of 'biggest challenge'

NIGEL PEARSON is bracing himself for the biggest challenge of his life in keeping Leicester in the Premier League.

PearsonGETTY

Pearson has nine matches remaining to keep Leicester in the top flight

The Foxes boss has overcome numerous battles during a playing career that saw him skipper Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough.

And he has also helped Carlisle stay in the Football League against the odds in 1999 as manager before serving as Bryan Robson’s assistant as West Brom pulled off the Great Escape in 2005.

But he knows pulling back the seven points that separate Leicester from safety is likely to top the lot even though he remains adamant that it is not an impossible dream.

“There’s no hiding from the fact that our results have to improve considerably to change our current situation,” said Pearson ahead of today’s trip to Tottenham. “At the moment, there won’t be too many people who share my beliefs in it.

“This is up there with the toughest battles of my career. But as we’ve seen week in week out, there are results that surprise a few people, we have to make sure some of those results go our way rather than our competitors.

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Pearson added: “You can’t get away from the table. I’m a realist and not afraid to shoulder responsibility.

“People want to have a negative view of things, but I’ve seen performances that haven’t yielded the results we should’ve had. But that doesn’t matter.

“Within our own ranks, the players have to remain upbeat. I value the support and professionalism of the people I work with. It’s easy if you have the support of your superiors.

“The right time for reflection will be at the end of it. We want to be talking about the Premier League next year.”

Pearson comes up against new England striker Harry Kane who he had at Leicester on loan two years ago.

“I’m pleased for him,” he said. “For a young lad to have such as successful season is very positive for the English game, I only hope now that expectations aren’t un-necessarily ramped up.”

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