The journalist likened to an ostrich by a Premier League manager this week said the whole episode was so bizarre it was difficult to reflect on.

Former Bucks Free Press columnist Ian Baker was compared to the flightless bird by Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson, who took exception to being challenged over what he felt was unfair criticism of his players.

Baker, a lifelong Wycombe Wanderers fan, asked Pearson to clarify what criticism the City players had been receiving during a press conference after their midweek defeat to Chelsea.

The manager asked Baker if he had his head in the sand, before ending the press conference early and walking out.

Pearson apologised to Baker the following day, and the reporter said he has a good relationship with the Foxes boss despite his outburst on Wednesday.

Baker, the former editor of the Wanderers fanzine When Skies Are Blue, told the BFP: "It was all rather bizarre, really. It's difficult to reflect on it.

"It was just crazy - you don't expect that as a journalist. If a manager's critical of a question they don't tend to react in the way Nigel Pearson did.

"I do most Leicester press conferences so I see more of him than most other journalists. I have got a very good relationship with Nigel.

"He's very guarded, it's always a challenge to get the information or line you want out of him - he's no Gareth Ainsworth in that respect.

"His personality away from the media is very different to what everyone sees. He's a top guy away from that. When he faces the media, he seems to put on this persona.

"He's apologised for it and I've accepted his apology, so for me that's the end of the matter."

Baker - who will be reporting on Leicester's match against Newcastle United this weekend - added: "Leicester have been playing well as a team. They were very impressive against Chelsea and we should be talking about that instead of this. They are not playing like a team bottom of the table.

"He felt his players had received criticism and that's why he reacted like that, to protect his players.

"It's caused a lot of humour around the world."