What all five managers said in relegation battle as Leicester City pass up 'psychological boost' | OneFootball

All three Easter Monday head-to-heads between relegation rivals finished level, leaving the bottom of the Championship unchanged. According to LeicesterMercury.co.uk, with one fewer game remaining, that currently benefits the sides outside the drop zone. Managers from Blackburn, West Brom, Portsmouth, Oxford and Leicester City reflected on the stalemate.

Billed as a decisive day with the bottom six all facing each other, Blackburn drew with West Brom, Portsmouth with Oxford, and Sheffield Wednesday with Leicester City.

Blackburn’s Michael O’Neill said tension is natural with safety in sight, but warned a couple of bad results could drag his team back. He felt each game ticked off brings a little more security, with five difficult matches left and a six-point cushion, and praised the group’s spirit after a good Easter.

West Brom’s James Morrison felt the point kept momentum and offered a little breathing space. He stressed every point is valuable, and said they will keep ticking off games and see where that takes them.

Portsmouth’s John Mousinho said it remains extremely tight, adding they wanted the win and he was not sure a draw helped either side. In the circumstances he accepted it after the equaliser, and targeted as many points as possible from six remaining matches.

Leicester City’s Gary Rowett said a win would not have made them safe, though it would have offered a ‘psychological boost’ by moving a point clear of the relegation zone. He noted City were in no worse position, lamenting missed opportunities.

Oxford’s Matt Bloomfield said nothing was decided, vowed to lift his players for the weekend, and urged against dwelling on the disappointment of a near miss. With five games to go, he said they will keep hunting.

Source: LeicesterMercury.co.uk