Leicester manager Nigel Pearson keen to retain supporters' backing

Nigel Pearson has told his Leicester players it is up to them to keep the supporters on side on the final-run-in.

There were signs of dissent among the travelling fans last weekend after a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa ended City's participation in the FA Cup.

Bottom-placed Leicester are back on Premier League duty at Everton on Super Sunday as they attempt to close a five-point gap to safety, and Pearson knows only a decent performance will keep the away end happy.

"The fans are always entitled to their opinion," said the manager, who was banned and fined following a high-profile row with a home supporter earlier in the season.

"I'm not going to question the support we've had this season, it's been very, very good. But we have to go out there and make sure our performances warrant the support of those fans."

The frustration for Pearson is that too often this season results have not matched the standard of his side's performances.

Arsene Wenger expressed surprise at Leicester's position after Arsenal scraped a 2-1 win at the Emirates earlier this month, and Pearson said: "We have shown with some of our performances we are capable, but we have to turn some of those performances into results, there is no hiding from that. It remains a frustration, but that's how difficult it is to be a success at this level.

"We've got to make sure from here on in our performances allow us to win enough games, and that's really the bottom line. To do that we've got to find the answers, but I have a lot of belief in the players, their spirits are still high."

Watch Everton v Leicester live on Sky Sports 1 from 1pm on Super Sunday.