Pearson Expecting Driven Tractor Boys

But following promising performances in their last two outings, the Foxes boss is confident his players’ chances remain very much in their own hands.

Saturday’s opponents have been in resurgent mood since the appointment of new boss Mick McCarthy at the start of this month, winning two of their last three games following a winless run of 12 under Paul Jewell.

And if City are to record a first win in five games to re-establish themselves among the division’s pace-setters, Pearson knows they will have to overcome a team with a spring in their step.

“Mick’s a very experienced manager and will be very keen to get his ideas across to the team,” he said.

“We’ve got to be mindful that there is a new face in there that might give them added impetus, but what we do ourselves will be the key.

“Ultimately we’ve got to get our own performance right and that we go about the game in the right way.”

The npower Championship continues to prove an enigma for most clubs, producing what would appear to be freak results almost on a weekly basis.

Blackpool, Cardiff City and Leicester themselves are all sides that have lost form after emerging as leaders, with Crystal Palace the latest side attempting to set the pace.

It is a competitive league where managers have come to expect the unexpected, even when performances might justify greater reward.

“We have had two excellent performances in the last two games, but football at this level can be frustrating in that you don’t always get what you deserve,” Pearson admitted.

“In the two games we drew, Bolton away and at home against Forest, we deserved more, but we haven’t got it. That’s this league and we have to make sure we do what we can with the next opportunity to get maximum points.

“It remains a very tight league and a frustrating league to try to be consistent in.

“Those games have gone now so we have to look forward to the next game and try to take maximum points against Ipswich Town.”