Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson has taken his beleaguered troops to Portugal for warm-weather training – and he warned it will be no holiday.
Pearson said his players will be working hard during the international break to rectify their recent poor form and salvage their promotion challenge.
Pearson said his side must get back to basics to arrest a slide that has seen them pick up just six points from their last nine games.
He also said he would reassess his role in the slump, but that the players had to take responsibility themselves for their poor form that spell.
"During this international break, we have to get back to basics to rectify the situation," said Pearson.
"We have worked too hard through the season to get into a decent position to put it in jeopardy because we are in a poor run of results.
"I am not going to try to paper over any cracks. It is my team and I have to rectify it.
"But on top of that, the players have to accept responsibility for their performance as well.
"I am the manager and I will take a lot of the criticism, but the players have to reflect on their own performances as well.
"We have to get back to basics somewhat. We have some players away who will not get back until one day or two days before our next game (at home to Millwall on Friday, March 29).
"There is a certain amount you can do but we will be working hard to get back on track. That is really the aim.
"We have to look at the last eight games of the season and make sure we do everything in our power to make sure we achieve the season's objective."
City flew out to Portugal yesterday and arrive back on Friday, but goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel (Denmark), defender Sean St Ledger (Republic of Ireland), midfielder Andy King (Wales) and striker Chris Wood (New Zealand) will all miss the trip as they are away on international duty.
