Nigel Pearson has hit back at the critics who he says are 'revelling' in Leicester City's poor run.

The defeat at Southampton on Saturday was City's fourth consecutive reverse and fifth in six games.

Pearson said there were some who were enjoying the negativity about City's situation.

However, the City boss said he knew what was required to get his side out of their slump and would be focused on improving their fortunes.

"People seem to revel in the fact that we are on a poor run," he said.

"There seems to be a thirst for negativity. I don't buy into that.

"I am never a believer in listening too much to that stuff.

"For me, there is too big a shift in terms of the negativity which then surrounds us.

"I am responsible for my team and happy to accept the responsibility, but the bottom line is I have a pretty good handle on where we are at and what is required.

"Becoming a Premier League side that is capable week in and week out doesn't happen overnight.

"Getting here is tough and staying here is even tougher, but I believe we can still be competitive."

One criticism aimed at Pearson in recent games is that his diamond midfield has reduced City's creativity in wide positions and, as a result, top scorer Leonardo Ulloa has been starved of service. But Pearson said City needed to avoid being over-run in central areas.

"I accept there is going to be criticism at times and people question why there is no wide player in there," he said.

"When you have the strength of midfield we had, it was key to stay in the game without allowing a very good team like Southampton to boss possession.

"Unfortunately for us, we didn't quite find the answers.

"I think the players worked exceptionally hard and we defended with an awful lot of commitment and sprit, and that came from front to back.

"But the quality side of it is costing us quite severely at the moment."

Pearson admitted he had some sympathy for Ulloa and his lack of goalscoring opportunities.

"He has had a good season so far but what he hasn't had is a lot of chances recently," said the City boss. "Strikers score goals from chances.

"His contribution to the side remains very positive, but he has to continue to work hard."

Tomorrow's 50p Leicester Mercury includes:

• 1. Rich List pullout

• 2. Tokens for an exclusive reader evening at Fenwick - with a whopping 20 per cent discount off all goods

• 3. Win one of 10 limited edition signed Steve Walsh books

• 4. Exclusively from the vendors: Free long life milk or Gingerbread Man book

• 5. Exclusively from Asda Thurmaston (between 11am and 4pm): free Gingerbread Man book, or free Advent calendar or selection box

Dozens of cyclists lined the road for a "positive" protest in favour of planned new bike lanes.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby recently ordered one lane of the Welford Road be temporarily closed to see if it would be possible to narrow the thoroughfare in the future to build a new bike lane along it.

The group of more than 70 campaigners gathered at 5pm today with placards in a coned-off area, ringing their bicycle bells and cheering whenever motorists honked to signal their support.

"We think they're mostly honking in support," said Eric Ludlow of the Leicester Cycling Campaign Group, which organised the protest.

"We've certainly had no one yell at us."

He added: "We've got a very good turnout for a cold November night and I think this is the first protest of its kind organised by cyclists in Leicester.

"It's also quite unusual because it's in favour of something that's happening. But I think it's important people know this idea has support.

"This is a positive protest - a charm offensive."

Many of the protestors carried placards with messages including "Fewer Cars" and "Family-Friendly Cycle Routes".

As the protest continued more cyclists turned up and joined in, while any cyclist passing down Welford Road got a cheer.

Protestor Marie Lefebvre, 27, of New Parks, Leicester, said: "It's a really lovely atmosphere and a brilliant turnout.

"I was in Amsterdam last week and there's so much more security for cyclists there and we need to introduce that in Leicester.

"The better things are for cyclists, the more people will cycle.

"And then everyone will benefit from better safety and air quality."

Tristram Hooley, 40, of Highfields, Leicester, was protesting with his nine-year-old daughter, Freya.

He said: "We just want better access to these central roads in Leicester.

"This road is quite a dangerous one and cars go fast along here. You need a bit of extra space for cyclists - especially little kids - and ideally a decent cycle path the cars can't encroach onto."

Clare Cox, 55, said: "I live in Birstall and never really cycle much in the city centre but I think it's a really good cause and it's very exciting to be a part of it."

Chris Tipler, 65, of Braunstone, said: "There's got to be mutual understanding between drivers and cyclists and I think anything that promotes that is good.

"I cycle a lot around the city and I think more bike lanes would be great."

Meanwhile, motorists are starting their own campaign to get Sir Peter to rethink his plans.

The online petition calls for him to "review and resolve the traffic chaos/congestion caused by the various 'improvements' made to our city centre and surrounding area roads".

A married man had sex with a 13-year-old schoolgirl weeks after returning from his honeymoon, a court has heard.

Krzysztof Zalewski sent the girl messages afterwards, saying he wanted to meet her again and she must not tell anyone.

The 31-year-old, formerly of Lakin Drive, Thorpe Astley, is being tried in his absence at Leicester Crown Court.

He denies six counts of sexual activity with a child, in September last year.

James House, prosecuting, said the defendant was on his own in a room with the child when he allegedly made sexual advances.

He then committed sex acts with her, said Mr House.

She sent a text message to a friend saying she had lost her virginity to an older man, describing what had happened.

Zalewski allegedly sent her messages telling her to keep what happened "a secret".

Mr House said: "She was confused and too scared to tell her mother at first.

"The defendant had married a few weeks before this, on August 17.

"It happened a short time after he returned from honeymoon."

The jury was told the defendant sent the girl numerous messages, which were read out in court, including: "Want sex with you.

"I want you very much, you're super, I adore you darling."

Another message stated: "If you want to meet me and make love with me you have to be very careful and delete texts every time."

The court was told he also sent a message stating: "You're very good, we can do this again and we can keep it a secret."

Zalewski sexually assaulted her on a second occasion, persisting even after she refused, it was claimed.

The girl allegedly told him: "I can't, it's wrong."

Mr House said the defendant allegedly committed sex acts with her, including intercourse.

Afterwards, Zalewski was said to have told her: "Don't fall in love with me, that's not the kind of relationship I want with you."

Mr House said: "It made her realise he was just using her."

She then reported what had happened to her mother, who informed the police.

When interviewed, the defendant claimed he thought the girl was 16, saying she "looked and acted" older than she was.

Mr House said: "He told the police she'd looked at him strangely (before the first encounter) and was provoking him, like seducing him.

"He said she'd offered him sex and seduced him on the second occasion.

"He told the officers, 'This is a little bit of a lie, she's broken my whole life'.

"He was blaming her for everything."

The trial continues.

Take That will be heading to Birmingham next year for three shows.

Mark Owen, Gary Barlow and Howard Donald, who will soon be releasing their first album as a trio, will be at the Genting Arena

 on three consecutive nights from May 14 to May 16.

The visit to the venue, formerly the LG Arena, will be part of a 24-night tour of the UK.

Touring with them will be rising star Ella Henderson who recently celebrated both her debut single, Glow and her first album, Chapter One, becoming No 1s.

Tickets go on sale on Thursday at 9am and are available from The Ticket Factory at www.theticketfactory.com or by calling 0844 338 8000.

Jennifer Lawrence was signing photographs for fans in the cold today during the UK film premiere of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1.

The film, which is the third in the series, was shown at the Odeon in Leicester Square, London, tonight and opens elsewhere on November 20.

Comedian Russell Brand has responded to the recent joke versions of Blur hit Parklife by making his own video.

He posted his video on Twitter in response to other people making fun of him and his Cockney background by posting online versions of the song.

The satirical track has a dig at the Prime Minister David Cameron as well as the comic's own critics.

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A case of bird flu has been confirmed at a duck breeding farm in East Yorkshire.

However, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the risk to public heath is very low.

Around 6,000 ducks are being culled and a 10km exclusion zone is in place, which will prevent all poultry and poultry waste from being transferred in or out of the area.

This is the first case since 2008, when chickens on a farm in Banbury, Oxfordshire tested positive for the virus.

Two men charged with carrying out a ram raid on a jewellers are due to appear in court this morning.

Lee Nicholas Sherlock (38) of Park Drive, Northampton and Darren Barry Williams (35), of the same address, have been accused of burgling Steffans in The Square, Market Harborough on Friday morning.

Lee Sherlock and Darren Williams, have both been charged with various offences, including theft of a motor vehicle and will be appearing at Northampton Magistrates' Court this morning.

The first ram raid they are accused of committing happened on Sunday, November 2, at Nolan's Jewellers, Wood Hill, Northampton. The second took place on Saturday, November 8 at the Mobile Phone Centre, Gold Street, Northampton and the third took place at Steffan's Jewellers in Market Harborough on Friday, November 14.

They are also due to face a number of other charges relating to incidents in Northamptonshire.

I am 73 years old. On September 27, I was charged for not having a driving licence.

I was unaware my licence had expired. I was informed by the police not to drive my vehicle until I had arranged for a new licence to be sent to me.

I carried this out on Monday, September 29. I received the licence within two weeks of applying.

Subsequently, a letter from the police arrived detailing a £100 fine plus 3 points to be added to my licence.

No further action would be taken against me if I agreed to this.

I had the option to object to the decision by taking the matter to court, expenses to be met by myself.

Recently, there were reports in the Mercury on fines given to people for speeding. Note the cost of the fines: £30, £35 and £66.

I consider a speeding offence far more serious than a pensioner forgetting to renew his licence.

An important and interesting point here is that the DVLA confirmed that I was legal to drive once my licence renewal application was received and opened at their office in Swansea. Surely, the police asking me not to drive until the DVLA had confirmed receipt of my documents would have sufficed?

Does this not in itself show how ludicrous the fine imposed on me is and how speeding drivers are not penalised enough?

Writer wishes to remain anonymous.

Leicestershire Fire Service spent four hours tackling a blaze at an industrial estate, in Barkby Road, Leicester, last night.

Crews were called to the incident, near to Langham Road, at around 7.30pm.

Upon arrival, firefighters found that 14 vehicles were well alight.

No-one was injured and there was slight damage to one of the buildings on the estate.

The fire service will be returning to the location this morning to re-inspect.

The St Matthews community in Leicester has announced funding to support local businesses and start-ups as part of £1million given to them by the National Lottery.

From January residents and businesses on the estate will be able to access free support, delivered in the area by Spring to Action - a local not-for-profit company that helps businesses.

The St Matthews Big Local Partnership board has been working with Spring to Action to launch a series of initiatives to help support and develop both existing and new business.

Simon Johnson, chairperson of the St Matthews Big Local Partnership, said: "We have been very keen to support local business since we were awarded the £1 million.

"This is just the start of the support we aim to offer businesses and as our 10 year plan develops we will be looking at more ways to help the local business become more successful"

In March 2012, the St Matthews community was awarded £1 million by National Lottery to use during the next 10 years.

The partnership board have already used some of the money to fund additional training for local residents and launched a grants programme to provide positive activities for the whole community.

The next part of the plan that they have been looking at is how they can start to support local business.

Kate Cowan, a director of Spring to Action, said: "With this funding we'll be able to increase our support to local businesses and residents to help them develop viable, profitable businesses and grow them.

"There are so many people in the community with entrepreneurial ideas and we know with a little help and guidance they will be able to turn those ideas into businesses we will all shop in, eat in, get services from and which will employ local people"

Lee Nicholls, who is the owner of St Matthews service station, said: "As a local business owner I think that this is an exciting new opportunity and nothing like this has been done before in the St Matthews area.

"I welcome Kate Cowan's input in helping support established businesses and the help she will give to new business start-ups.

"In the current economic climate where some businesses are struggling the additional support that is being offered by the St Matthews Big Local is welcomed and can only be beneficial to the area."

If any local business owners would like more information then they can contact with stmatthewsbiglocal@gmail.com or hello@springtoaction.co.uk

The Environment Agency have put flood alerts in place for the following:

• The River Wreake, in Leicestershire.
• Tributaries from Stapleford, to the River Soar, at Syston.
• Lower River Soar in Leicestershire, including tributaries from Cossington to Redhill at the River Trent.
• Flooding of low-lying agricultural land and roads is possible at Mill Lane and Water Lane at Frisby on the Wreake, Station Road at Thrussington, Broome Lane at Ratcliffe on the Wreake, Frisby, Hoby, Brooksby, Thrussington, Ratcliffe and Syston.

The current level at the Frisby river gauge is 2 metres. River levels are rising in response to last nights rain. Further light rainfall is forecast over the next 12 hours. For up to date information on river levels in your area go to the river and sea levels section on the Environment Agency website.

As such, residents should be prepared to protect themselves, family, pets and property.

For up-to-date flooding information, call Floodline on: 0845 988 1188

Keep an eye on weather conditions by visiting: www.environment-agency.gov.uk

Avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water.

A violent inmate injured two prison officers during unproved attacks, a court heard.

Joshua Lawley lashed out without warning, in separate incidents, at Leicestershire's Glen Parva Young Offenders' Institution.

One guard suffered bruising and a fractured finger, causing him to be off work for five weeks and the other was bitten on the shoulder, resulting in blood tests to rule out possible infections.

Lawley, 20, is currently serving a three year and three month sentence for burglaries.

He was given a consecutive 12 month detention sentence for assaulting the guards.

Lawley pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm on July 31 and August 8.

Leicester Crown Court was told that due to a decline in his mental health, Lawley is awaiting transfer to a medium secure psychiatric hospital.

John Hallissey, prosecuting, said the first attack happened at 6.20pm when a guard was taking lavatory paper Lawley had requested to his cell.

Mr Hallissey said: "As he opened the cell door the defendant stepped into the doorway and said 'Are you treating me like a ****head?'

"He came out of the cell with fists flying.

"The officer bent forwards and unsuccessfully tried to radio for assistance, as he was repeatedly struck on the back of his head.

"He managed to press a wall alarm and punched Lawley, knocking him to the floor and restrained him.

"The officer had bruising to his head and a fractured bone in his finger."

The second assault was when he was being escorted along a corridor in a different unit.

Lawley suddenly stopped and said "Are you taking me for a ****head?" and repeatedly swung punches at the guard, who put his arms around him, to restrain him.

"He bit the officer's shoulder, piercing the skin."

Lawley has 59 offences on his record, including numerous assaults, possessing a blade and an affray.

Recorder William Harbage QC said: "These were deeply unpleasant offences committed without any provocation.

"Prison officers are doing a difficult enough job as it is without having inmates like you assaulting them.

"I take into account you may have some mental health problems and are going to be transferred to a medium secure psychiatric unit."

Richard Holloway, mitigating, said: "He's a mild mannered young man but a background of serious cannabis misuse seems to have played a part in his offending.

"He's got progressively unwell and one wonders if he was unwell when these offences were committed.

"He's been through the care system since he was 13, through no fault of his own.

"He's genuinely remorseful.

"For no real reason he was pent up on these particular days and took it out on those nearest."

Leicester City are back in action on Saturday after the international break. Nigel Pearson's men welcome Sunderland to the King Power Stadium in what is a crunch clash as both teams are struggling near the foot of the Premier League.

City have lost their last four matches, and have not picked up a point since the 2-2 draw at home to Burnley at the start of last month.

It is a run that has seen City slip into the bottom three, although they are still only five points off 10th spot, putting even more emphasis on the game against the Black Cats, who are just three points ahead in 14th.

We put a series of fans' questions to our City correspondent Rob Tanner.

QAfter such a positive start to the season, why have performances and results suddenly started to turn?

AIt is certainly a startling contrast to the first five performances, which were vibrant and dogged, and which gave us all great confidence that City were going to be this season's surprise package. The performance against Manchester United in particular got everyone excited.

However, it seems since then City have lost their spark. They have been competitive and have remained in games, but they appear to have lost that cutting edge they had earlier in the campaign.

There have been numerous changes in formation and personnel during the last six games and it feels like City are searching to rediscover their early season form.

It is particularly worrying that City now have the unenviable combination of being unable to keep clean sheets and score goals.

QCity have not scored in their last 410 minutes of action. They scored 11 in their first seven games. Why the sudden drought?

ACity are suffering from a lack of creativity in the final third. While manager Nigel Pearson has opted for a very solid midfield with a desire to avoid being outnumbered in central areas, City have lost that creative spark and chances have been few and far between.

In the early games, City were much more adventurous, often playing three attacking players, and Leonardo Ulloa had plenty of support.

He has been a much more isolated figure in recent games and the supply lines from wide areas have dried up, especially while City have utilised a diamond midfield.

City are also lacking that one player who can conjure something out of nothing, which most Premier League sides have. Riyad Mahrez has shown in spells he may be that player, but he has been inconsistent.

QWhy has there been such a lack of consistency? Why the lack of width?

ACity are still adapting and learning about the Premier League. So few of them have played at this level before it was inevitable they were going to have a poor run at some stage. It is an unforgiving league.

What hasn't helped has been the number of formation and personnel changes. Last season, City were a very stable side. There were very few changes, but that is easy to do when you are winning every week.

This season, Pearson seems to still be looking for his best team and best formation, and it may take a little while longer

QWhere is Anthony Knockaert?

AThe little Frenchman has not had many chances so far this season, not even off the substitutes' bench. That is a surprise after he played such a prominent role last season.

He does possess a creative spark, like Mahrez, and the pair played in tandem for most of last season.

Perhaps Pearson believes City can't play with both of them in the Premier League, because it would leave them so open in central midfield and they would get picked off.

Pearson has gone for a more conservative bench, rather than the attacking one we saw regularly last season.

However, it is still early days and Knockaert has shown an excellent attitude by playing regularly in the under-21s side. He may get his chance soon.

QWhat is more important, picking your team to suit your own strengths or to stop the opposition's?

AYou need a balance of both, but perhaps in recent games the emphasis has been too much towards stopping the opposition and staying in games than enforcing their own playing style on opponents.

When you go away from home it is important to try to nullify the hosts and make it difficult for them to play their way. City have certainly done that in the games at Newcastle and Southampton and were undone late on.

However, at home City should be more confident that they can cause teams problems through their own attacking play.

Against West Brom it felt as though City were far too concerned about Albion's midfield strength and set up accordingly, and as a result they struggled to create chances of their own.

I would like to see City a little more positive at the King Power Stadium.

QWhat do City need to do to put it right?

AJust keeping believing in what they are doing. The last thing City need to do is start panicking and lose confidence.

The supporters also have a massive role to play. They need to stick by this group of players and help them find their feet in this division.

After the recent run there were a few murmurings on social media and in the mainstream media, but that hasn't manifested itself inside the ground yet and I hope it doesn't, because it doesn't help anyone.

City need to settle down and get back to the formula that made them so successful last season. They need to be positive in their approach because I think every fan would agree that if they are to go back down to the Championship, all the supporters want is to see them go down fighting.

A few new additions in the January transfer window would help as well.

QDo City have enough quality in their squad, as it stands, to stay up?

AYes, they have enough good players within the squad to stay up, although a couple of new signings, especially in forward positions, wouldn't go amiss.

Jamie Vardy has shown he can cause Premier League defences problems, Ulloa has scored goals when given the right service, Esteban Cambiasso, pictured, has loads of quality, while Danny Drinkwater has not looked out of place.

At the back, City may have kept just one clean sheet but they have looked reasonably solid for long spells, so it isn't all doom and gloom.

There have been encouraging and promising signs for City but the margins between success and failure are so fine in the Premier League.

QWhere do you think City need to strengthen in January, and will Pearson be given the funds to do so?

APearson has already said he wouldn't rule out doing some business in January, and I think he does need to. He will be given the funds he requires, there is no question about that, and it may take a few quid as well as the January window is notoriously difficult to deal in because the prices become inflated.

Clubs are unwilling to part with key players halfway through a season so slap big asking prices on their players.

Also, it seems that it is clubs who are struggling that are more keen to do business and they are seen as desperate, so the ball is very much in the court of the selling club.

I think City need to bring in another striker and a creative midfield player during January.

The return of Matt Upson, hopefully, will bolster City's defensive options but it is in the final third where they seem to need most help.

QHow much pressure is Pearson under? The owners have shown support in him before, during a bad run two seasons ago. Will they do the same again?

AAll the pressure he is said to be under is generated by the media. It isn't coming internally because the City board are fully committed to Pearson and his staff after the job they have done over the last few years.

It isn't coming from the vast majority of the supporters, either, who seem to realise it is going to take a bit of time to get it right.

Of course, if the losing streak continues for a considerable period of time then some fans may become disgruntled, but Pearson will be given plenty of time by the board, and so he should.

A planning inspector will this week consider whether to overturn Leicester City Council's decision to refuse Tesco permission to open a new store in Clarendon Park.

The firm wants to convert a former bank in Queen's Road into a convenience store but the authority's planning committee rejected key parts of the project.

It refused Tesco permission to install chiller units, a disabled access ramp, and a cash machine following a vigorous campaign by residents against the scheme.

Tesco subsequently appealed and a public hearing will now take place to discuss the matter on Thursday at Leicester Town Hall.

Anti-Tesco campaigner Mags Lewis will speak at the hearing.

She said: "We won round one against Tesco, when we convinced the council to reject key applications earlier this year.

"We're determined to win round two, by showing the planning inspector the potential traffic dangers posed by Tesco's plans."

Ward councillor Patrick Kitterick will also speak against the store.

He is the chairman of the council's planning committee but did not take part in the decision to refuse because of his declared support for the campaign.

He said: "The main issue is the junction of Queen's Road and Clarendon Park Road is very busy and has two school within 100 metres.

"To have Tesco's delivery vans parking up there several times a day, for more then 30 minutes at a time, will create huge problems and is unacceptable."

Leicester South MP Jon Ashworth said: "It's very disappointing that Tesco are appealing when the decision to refuse was made on legitimate grounds."

He carried out a survey of residents which found the majority of residents did not want Tesco's corporate presence competing with the area's small independent shops.

Tesco has previously pointed out there are already other national chains trading in the area like Sainsbury's and Co-op.

A Tesco spokesman said a company survey had indicated support locally for the store.

He added: "The inspector will make a decision based on planning grounds and it will be an opportunity to answer residents' concerns."

The planning inspector will hear evidence from the council, the campaigners and Tesco and is likely to visit the site to observe it firsthand.

It is unlikely a decision will be made straight away.

If the inspector backs the council's decision Tesco will be unable to take the matter further but could submit a revised scheme in the hope of getting the store open.

The hearing starts at 10am.

An artwork has been revealed after a major facelift for the Narborough Road bridge, in the city.

Over the past three months Network Rail engineers have been cleaning and painting the bridge, which crosses the A5460 between its junctions with Ivy Road and Winchester Avenue.

The £340,000 revamp features a mural designed by De Montfort University student Kieran Stott-Everett.

Kieran beat more than 40 other entries to win the Going Off Track competition to design a mural for the bridge.

Kieran's design features legs and shoes and was inspired by Leicester's historic links with hosiery and shoemaking.

Kieran, a third year graphic design and illustration| student, said: "I hope it will bring a smile to the people who see it."

The course teaches students to respond effectively and imaginatively to client needs.

A university spokesman said: "Kieran's eye-catching work met the brief from competition organisers Network Rail and Leicester City Council perfectly.

However the road had to be closed over two weekends during the revamp causing major chaos.

The works is being paid for by Network Rail, with a £78,000 contribution from the city council.

Councillor Andy Connelly, one of the ward councillors for Westcotes, said he was pleased the council had been able to work with Network Rail and De Montfort University on the project.

He said he hoped the artwork would "give a real sense of identity to the West End."