After his side were held at home to Ipswich Town this afternoon, Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson gave an honest appraisal of the game and his side’s performance.

“It wasn’t a very good game. I think we struggled to get anything going with that very early set back. It was a poor goal to concede and it set the tone for the afternoon. We tried hard but we didn’t achieve the standards we’ve set so far this season, but still got something out of the game.”

A blistering start saw the visitors take the lead inside 30 seconds through David Norris’s deflected strike. City fought back to equalise before half-time when Steve Howard guided the ball home after some good work by Lloyd Dyer.

The second half disappointed, with neither team taking charge, and despite a great save from Ipswich keeper Arran Lee-Barrett, there wasn’t much excitement to warm the hearts of the 20,000 inside a chilly Walkers Stadium, or those watching on Sky.

Pearson conceded his players weren’t at their best but was pleased with their battling qualities.

“The players are a bit disappointed, but it happens from time to time. They’re an honest group and we’ve come a little bit unstuck today because we’ve not really been able to play as well as we know we can. It’s as simple as that, I’m not going to dress it up. It wasn’t a particularly good game but we’ve come out of it with something positive and I always look for the positives.”

Nigel admitted that both teams deserved a point and that he’s happy with his team’s progress at halfway mark of the campaign.

“We struggled to get any fluency in our play and didn’t look as solid as we have done. So all things considered I think it’s a fair result. If I’m honest I don’t think we deserved to get anything more out of the game.

“We’re halfway through the season now, 23 games, and I think we’re where we are on merit. We’ve competed pretty well, we’ve scrapped from time to time and we’ve played very well on a number of occasions. This league is exceptionally difficult to be consistent in.”

Pearson praised his players’ character and highlighted Steve Howard’s contribution.

“We’ve got some good characters within the squad. At times we didn’t play anywhere near as well as we can, but we’ve still got something out of the game and credit the players for that.

“He (Steve Howard) always contributes to the team’s performance, but if you ask any striker they judge themselves by the number of goals they score. It is frustrating for strikers when they’re not scoring, but it was an important goal for us today.”

Howard was happy with his goal and although disappointed at his substitution, he believes competition for places up front can only be good for the team.

“It was a frustrating game at times, but at least we dug in and got something. I’m glad to be scoring goals again, but there’s a long way to go.

“I’ve always been taught not to be happy if you’re substituted, that’s just the kind of lad I am. There’s great competition for places here though, and that’s healthy for the club and strives you on to perform. I’m a big believer in getting your head down, working hard and you’ll eventually get your rewards.”

Nigel Pearson acknowledged Roy Keane’s side were hard to beat.

“They’ve simplified it. They’ve gone back to basics to try and grind results out and they’ve done that today. I think he (Keane) will be pretty happy with the point.”

The Ipswich manager was at his straight talking best after the match, admitting the game was light on entertainment and giving Leicester credit for their performances so far this season.

“I think it’s probably a fair result. We had some good chances but I suppose Arran’s (Lee-Barrett) pulled off the best save of the game. I don’t think it was a classic. We can certainly do a lot better in terms of possession, but if you come to Leicester and draw the game and there’s an element of disappointment then I suppose that’s progress in itself, as Leicester are obviously having a very good season.” 

After his side were held at home to Ipswich Town this afternoon, Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson gave an honest appraisal of the game and his side’s performance.

“It wasn’t a very good game. I think we struggled to get anything going with that very early set back. It was a poor goal to concede and it set the tone for the afternoon. We tried hard but we didn’t achieve the standards we’ve set so far this season, but still got something out of the game.”

A blistering start saw the visitors take the lead inside 30 seconds through David Norris’s deflected strike. City fought back to equalise before half-time when Steve Howard guided the ball home after some good work by Lloyd Dyer.

The second half disappointed, with neither team taking charge, and despite a great save from Ipswich keeper Arran Lee-Barrett, there wasn’t much excitement to warm the hearts of the 20,000 inside a chilly Walkers Stadium, or those watching on Sky.

Pearson conceded his players weren’t at their best but was pleased with their battling qualities.

“The players are a bit disappointed, but it happens from time to time. They’re an honest group and we’ve come a little bit unstuck today because we’ve not really been able to play as well as we know we can. It’s as simple as that, I’m not going to dress it up. It wasn’t a particularly good game but we’ve come out of it with something positive and I always look for the positives.”

Nigel admitted that both teams deserved a point and that he’s happy with his team’s progress at halfway mark of the campaign.

“We struggled to get any fluency in our play and didn’t look as solid as we have done. So all things considered I think it’s a fair result. If I’m honest I don’t think we deserved to get anything more out of the game.

“We’re halfway through the season now, 23 games, and I think we’re where we are on merit. We’ve competed pretty well, we’ve scrapped from time to time and we’ve played very well on a number of occasions. This league is exceptionally difficult to be consistent in.”

Pearson praised his players’ character and highlighted Steve Howard’s contribution.

“We’ve got some good characters within the squad. At times we didn’t play anywhere near as well as we can, but we’ve still got something out of the game and credit the players for that.

“He (Steve Howard) always contributes to the team’s performance, but if you ask any striker they judge themselves by the number of goals they score. It is frustrating for strikers when they’re not scoring, but it was an important goal for us today.”

Howard was happy with his goal and although disappointed at his substitution, he believes competition for places up front can only be good for the team.

“It was a frustrating game at times, but at least we dug in and got something. I’m glad to be scoring goals again, but there’s a long way to go.

“I’ve always been taught not to be happy if you’re substituted, that’s just the kind of lad I am. There’s great competition for places here though, and that’s healthy for the club and strives you on to perform. I’m a big believer in getting your head down, working hard and you’ll eventually get your rewards.”

Nigel Pearson acknowledged Roy Keane’s side were hard to beat.

“They’ve simplified it. They’ve gone back to basics to try and grind results out and they’ve done that today. I think he (Keane) will be pretty happy with the point.”

The Ipswich manager was at his straight talking best after the match, admitting the game was light on entertainment and giving Leicester credit for their performances so far this season.

“I think it’s probably a fair result. We had some good chances but I suppose Arran’s (Lee-Barrett) pulled off the best save of the game. I don’t think it was a classic. We can certainly do a lot better in terms of possession, but if you come to Leicester and draw the game and there’s an element of disappointment then I suppose that’s progress in itself, as Leicester are obviously having a very good season.”