Managers in spotlight as Villa hire Sherwood
LEICESTER boss Nigel Pearson is looking beyond the potential psychological blow his side could land on relegation rivals Aston Villa in the FA Cup this weekend.
The Foxes travel to Villa Park today for a fifth-round tie between two sides that are not only struggling in the Barclays Premier League but enduring turbulent times off the field.
Though Villa sought a period of calm very quickly after sacking Paul Lambert on Wednesday – and announcing new team boss Tim Sherwood yesterday morning.
‘It is a great honour to manage one of the biggest clubs in English football,’ said Sherwood, who had also been linked with West Brom and QPR. ‘I can’t wait to get started and I’m really looking forward to the challenge.’
Pearson, meanwhile, has had a dismal week, with his bottom-placed side losing to Crystal Palace and Arsenal to remain five points adrift of safety. But that is only part of a story which has also included a bizarre touchline altercation with Palace midfielder James McArthur and seen widespread reports that he had been sacked, only for the club to deny them.
The Leicester boss has already put the bizarre events at the back of his mind.
‘My thinking is about our players, getting the team right, getting the performance right and hopefully getting the result we want to get into the next round.
‘When you are not winning in the league, the cup competitions give you an opportunity to win games and hopefully build confidence.
‘I don’t have a great deal of control over what goes on outside of the football club but I will be working very hard to make sure we go into this game as prepared as we can be.’
On paper, Leicester’s form is only marginally better than that of Villa. Pearson’s men have lost four of their last five games with the only positive result in that sequence being their fourth-round win over Tottenham.
Villa have lost five from six, their fourth-round success against Bournemouth the one bright note.
But while Villa’s play – and most notably their lack of goals – has been heavily criticised, Leicester have at least earned some plaudits for their positive attitude.
Pearson added: ‘Anybody who has seen us play recently could not suggest the players lack confidence. We have continued to play with a positive intent.’