West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has defended Nigel Pearson and admires the Leicester City boss for being 'his own man . ' Allardyce had Pearson on his coaching staff when he was Newcastle United manager in 2007 , and the pair will be reunited when West Ham face Leicester at the King Power Stadium on Saturday . Pearson has been involved in several controversial incidents this season , including grabbing Crystal Palace 's James McArthur by the throat and losing his cool with a reporter during a press conference . Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson ( left ) has been involved in a number of controversial incidents this season . However , West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has defended Pearson and says that he is 'his own man ' In February , Pearson was involved in an altercation with Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur . It has added to speculation Pearson will be sacked by Leicester with the club sitting bottom of the Barclays Premier League , but Allardyce feels his former colleague has done an 'unbelievable job ' . 'He 's his own man . He has his own methods and believes in not only himself but what he is doing , ' Allardyce said . 'Occasionally as we all get under pressure , we may make odd comments or the odd mistake , but we 're human beings like everybody else . 'He 's done an unbelievable job , not just at Leicester but as a manager . ' Leicester are seven points from safety , albeit with a game in hand against leaders Chelsea , but Allardyce feels Pearson will be frustrated because their performances do not warrant their lowly position . Leicester defender Robert Huth ( centre ) in action during the club 's session at Belvoir Drive Training Ground . ' I think overall Nigel must be pulling out his hair , ' Allardyce added . 'Why have those performances not given them more results ? That 's the cruciality of the Premier League . 'On occasion his team have been in the ascendency . They have not taken advantage of it by not scoring or converting chances . They 've paid the ultimate price in the end . That 's this level for you . 'There are critical moments and if you do n't take them , they 're very costly indeed . Performances are always important , but in the end it 's a results business . ' West Ham scored with their only two shots on target against Leicester when they beat them 2-0 in December , and Pearson will try to end a goal-drought at the King Power Stadium that is five hours and 15 minutes long . Leicester 's Danny Drinkwater ( left ) and David Nugent ( right ) are put through their paces in training . Pearson talks to his Leicester squad ahead of their Premier League game against West Ham on Saturday .
Leicester City take on West Ham at the King Power Stadium on Saturday . Foxes boss Nigel Pearson has come under fire February for some of his antics February . These have included outbursts to the press and an altercation with Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur in this season . West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has defended Pearson and his record . The pair have worked together before when Pearson was part of Allardyce 's coaching team at Newcastle in 2007 .