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" When you have a loss, people knock you and I've seen the punters around the ground starting to get agitated, but you take that into the next game and prove them wrong. You could say the fans have been spoilt this season and there are massive expectations.
" The fans expect us to get three points and I'm fine with that. It is down to the team to appreciate it and go into every game expecting better from ourselves. I wouldn't say that we are experiencing a blip. The table does not lie and, at the present time, we are the best team in the league. But it is all about being the best team in the league when the season ends on May 2.
" We've got a young squad and perhaps a couple of them believed the hype when a lot of punters and people in the press were saying that we were home and dry. It is then down to the old heads like myself, Steve Howard and Matt Oakley to get around them and keep their feet on the ground. Believe me, there is still a lot of work to be done.
"But you look around the dressing room and I think we have all the ingredients. There is talent in and around the starting eleven, and then it's gelling it together as a unit. Someone like Jack Hobbs has done exceptionally well, but only because there has been competition for places.
" Patrick Kisnorbo came in and was exceptional against Peterborough. I thought he was our top man. It must have been hard for him having been out so long, and it can be difficult to make an impact straight away, but I thought he was outstanding. It will be interesting to see who the gaffer (Nigel Pearson) picks tomorrow because we've all given him a headache, but that is what you want. "
Meanwhile Pearson himself commented to the Mercury :
" It is good to have key players available. I think we have managed well this season with injuries and suspensions, but something like this is always nice because it gives everyone a lift.
" When we lost last weekend at Peterborough, it was their sixth win in a row - eight out of nine I think - and they are having a great run. But it was only a few weeks ago we were looking at the gap between ourselves and MK Dons so it is important to focus on what we do ourselves.
" It is going to be tough because every side we meet from now on has something to play for. We have six games left and that represents 18 points so there is a lot of football still to be played.
" It was a very tough game up there at Carlisle. We were asked lots of questions and were made to work very hard. They are only just outside the relegation places and have had a difficult season. But at this stage of the season there are no easy games. "
And flamboyant Serbian owner Milan Mandaric told the Mercury :
" We have not come all this way to let it slip now. The reason I went through all that pain and trouble in my shoulder surgery was so that I could more easily lift our trophy as champions! And I am convinced we will, even with that defeat at Peterborough. The team is strong, the manager is doing a good job and I am proud of what the team has achieved so far, but we want to finish top.
" It is closer than it was but I believe even those who might be nervous really deep down in their hearts, know that we are going to make it. We have not quite done it yet and Saturday's game against Carlisle is important. But I am sure that Nigel and the players will do what has to be done. "
Unlike the injury-ravaged Cumbrians, Leicester have few problems ahead of tomorrow's game. Bulgarian centre-half Aleksandar Tunchev will be out though after suffering a partial tear to his anterior cruciate ligament in January, while on-loan midfielder Tom Cleverley returned to Manchester United recently after dislocating his shoulder in a 1-1 draw at home to Colchester.
Two big players return for City tomorrow however, veteran striker Steve Howard back after sitting on the sidelines for the last two games through a ten booking suspension. Midfielder Andy King the other returnee, King having been on international duty with Wales under-21s in the last ten days. In other news at the Walkers Stadium goalkeeper Conrad Logan yesterday extended his emergency loan spell at Stockport into a second week.
The referee for tomorrow's match is the youngest one on the Football League list, that being 23-year old Michael Oliver from Ashington in Northumberland, and he will be assisted down the lines by James Cox, who himself is only 25, from Evesham in Worcestershire and Darren Handley from Wigan. Meanwhile the fourth official is David Coote from Newark in Nottinghamshire.