Derby 2 City 1
Report by Colin Hall
Leicester City slumped to yet another away defeat, losing 2-1 at neighbours Derby in a scrappy, turgid Championship encounter at Pride Park.
This latest reverse piles further pressure on beleaguered boss Nigel Pearson, whose 16-month tenure at the King Power Stadium is under increasing threat. An appalling run of 6 points from the last 9 games has wrecked hopes of a top-2 finish and placed chances of a play-off spot in serious peril.
Pearson made one change from the side that drew at Cardiff, with the fit-again Konchesky replacing Schlupp at left-back. De Laet was omitted from the squad, despite his post-match insistence online that he was fully recovered from injury.
City looked mentally and physically jaded right from the kick-off, perhaps as a consequence of playing eight games in a month, especially with a manager in charge who appears unfamiliar with the concept of squad rotation.
However the home side, without a win in their previous eight games, and plunging dangerously near to the Championship drop zone, also appeared tentative during the opening 15 minutes.
Suddenly, though, Derby took the lead from a set-piece. Ward's free-kick was whipped in to the City box and Keogh evaded his markers to head past Schmeichel. Such lapses of concentration in the City defence have become all too frequent in recent weeks.
If the muted and somewhat depleted City hordes hoped this setback would spark the side into life, they were sadly mistaken. Despite looking rusty at times during only his second league appearance of the year, Wellens provided the only glimpses of creativity for the visitors before limping off at the break.
Before then, however, Derby increased their lead when Martin headed home a left-wing cross. Schmeichel was criticised in some quarters for staying on his line, but with two defenders in front of him, it was clear he expected them to handle the threat.
The second-half introduction of Schlupp and Marshall for Wellens and Dyer gave City a little more hunger and self-belief, at least temporarily. The substitutes' impact was quickly felt as a Marshall cross was superbly laid off by Nugent for Schlupp to fire the visitors back into the game.
Minutes later Nugent had the chance to grab a leveller, but his shot was straight at the Derby keeper.
But any hopes of a sustained and successful fight back were wrecked by Pearson's introduction of Kane, rather than the more mature Vardy or Waghorn, for the disappointing (and looking suspiciously unfit) Wood. The Spurs loanee, rather like Jeffrey Bruma two seasons ago, is the wrong player at the wrong club at the wrong time. It is difficult to determine what he has brought to the side, as his lack of composure in front of goal had cost us in previous games, and duly did so again here.
With a misfiring midfield being out-battled and outmuscled by their Derby counterparts, City resorted in the closing stages to a series of punts into the opposing area, all of which were cleared with some comfort. Despite the addition of six minutes' stoppage time to cover the hosts' flagrant time-wasting, City eventually succumbed to another away setback with barely a whimper. The frustration after the game was only increased by the admission by home boss Nigel Clough that Derby had produced one of their worst performances of the season.
Although City will remain in a play-off place during the break for international fixtures, it appears only a matter of time before that place is lost. The next three games following the resumption are all against teams that have outwitted Pearson in the past, and who show every sign of doing so again.
Many match reports, in this season and in previous ones, have commented on the side's lack of character in key games costing them points. Ultimately, however, it is the character in the dugout that is being found wanting. His inability to identify fundamental long-term weaknesses within his team, let alone correct them, is damaging confidence not only within the playing squad, but among the fanbase too.
The comparisons between the current incumbent and Peter Taylor grow stronger with each game that passes. Bust-ups with key senior players – check. Over-reliance on youngsters – check. Tactical rigidity – check. Inability to revive faltering form – check. Abysmal away performances – check.
But while a previous regime persisted with Taylor for too long, leading to financial meltdown, it is to be hoped the current owners will act to avoid similar mistakes being made this summer.
Other Championship clubs have had the courage to make changes in management during the past twelve months. They are now reaping the rewards.
The last rites of the season are now being read. Neither the current squad nor the manager possess the strength or the motivational qualities to spark a recovery.
Leicester: Schmeichel; St. Ledger, Morgan (c), Keane, Konchesky; Wellens (Schlupp 46), Drinkwater, King; Nugent, Wood (Kane 69), Dyer (Marshall 56). Unused subs: Whitbread, Vardy, Logan, Waghorn.
Booked: Keane, St Ledger
Derby: Fielding; Freeman (Gjokaj 82), Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth; Coutts, Hendrick, Bryson, Ward (Davies 62); Sammon, Martin Unused subs: Legzdins, Doyle, Bennett, Jacobs, Hoganson.
Booked: Freeman, Coutts, Ward
Attendance: 23,122 Referee: Keith Stroud (Hampshire)
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation