Taylor torment as Leicester fall

Afterwards, Taylor spoke of how admirable Ipswich's spirit was, how fevered their running. It was suggested to him that they are traditional Leicester qualities.

'Maybe you should go into the dressing-room and tell my players that,' replied Taylor to his inquisitor. 'We set out out to match Ipswich in every position. We failed.

There was not one positive thing about our outfield display.

'I think my players have lost confidence. When that happens, you lose the will to run around. We are not doing that and that's not like Leicester City.

'For the first 18 games we were different class and to be first, second or third was great. But the last three games have disappointed me. I still believe in my players but now it's a test for us all, including me.' Since succeeding Martin O'Neill, Taylor has stamped his mark on the team and Stan Collymore and Neil Lennon were notable departures. But looking at his squad at the moment, you wonder about their staying power. Muzzy Izzet was not as his best while Robbie Savage was unusually subdued, but those players will return to form.

It is not as easy to say that of strike partnership Ade Akinbiyi and Trevor Benjamin. Having come from the Nationwide League, it is imperative they prove themselves to be better than that. As yet they have not done so. Leicester found themselves level at half-time only because Ipswich had been almost as poor.

Only a miscued cross from Fabian Wilnis threatened Simon Royce but throughout the second period, Leicester's stand-in goalkeeper was asked to prove his worth.

Royce saved well from Marcus Stewart, Alun Armstrong and Matt Holland, while Stewart and James Scowcroft were wasteful when well placed in front of goal.

For the latter pair, however, their time was to come. First Stewart headed his 14th Premiership goal of the season after Hermann Hreidarsson had embarrassed Gary Rowett to allow Armstrong to fire a shot across goal in the 80th minute. In the last minute, Scow-croft, unmarked at the far post, scored at the end of a majestic move featuring a Stewart lay-off and a cross from full back Wilnis.

Stewart, once more, was at the heart of much of his side's best work and is in a rich vein of form. As for an England call-up, the Premiership's top scorer is not so sure.

'It feels good but I think England coaches like to stick with people who have been in squads before, people they know,' said the 28-year-old. 'There are a lot in front of me. I'm not expecting a call-up.'

Such honesty and realism is rare in the ego-filled world of the Premiership but Stewart's attitude reflects the approach fostered by George Burley among his players.

Defender Titus Bramble was outstanding but Ipswich's effort was founded in the collective and they deserve their fourth place.

Chairman David Sheepshanks admits to modelling his club on Leicester and comparisons are easy.

For Taylor, however, it is back to the drawing board. He must persuade his players to go in search of the ingredients that made the formula so worthy in the first place.