EnderbyFox Posted 20 May 2015 Posted 20 May 2015 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/leicester-city/11619426/Nigel-Pearson-Im-not-as-daft-as-some-people-think-I-am.html Leicester manager isn't planning on changing his ways any time soon even if he has got into a few scuffles and incidents this season Perched on top of a bookshelf in Nigel Pearson’s office is a framed drawing of an ostrich. It was given to him by friends after Pearson’s now infamous confrontation three weeks with a local journalist, who was called “an ostrich” by the Leicester City manager, because of his line of questioning at a press conference. Ostrich burgers were even put on the menu in the canteen at the training ground. There were other controversies. He told a Leicester fan to “f--- off and die”, appeared to throttle Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur during a touchline clash and was caught on microphone calling another journalist a “p---k”. But after six wins in the last eight games which have secured one of the most remarkable escapes in Premier League history, he is now being talked about as a contender for the manager of the year award. No wonder he can afford to smile and sound defiant. Will he be any different next season? “I hope not,” he says. “I am what I am. I’m not as daft as some people think I am. I’m my own harshest critic so I don’t care what anybody else says. “I don’t really think I’ve changed too much but where I’ve probably found life is different in the Premier League is the amount of scrutiny when you say or do something. Pearson has helped turn Leicester's season around “I’m not arrogant enough to think that some of the things that have happened this season are to be replicated. When people build a persona for you, sometimes it’s easier to just live up to that. “You’ve got to try and come to terms with what you are, bottom line. Warts and all. Sometimes you have to take one on the chin. That’s not to say there’s not lessons to be learned. “Now people are saying I could be the manager of the year. It’s one extreme to another isn’t it? I’d be amazed if I won it…” Perhaps we should not be surprised that Leicester survived. Pearson, 51, has proven a master of escapology in the past - he was in charge at Carlisle when goalkeeper Jimmy Glass scored in injury time on the final day of the 1998-99 season, while there have been other miraculous recoveries at West Brom and Southampton. Leicester’s survival chances appeared remote two months ago. Bottom of the table for over four months, they were heading inexorably towards the Championship, away from the intense spotlight Pearson has become so accustomed to. But their revival has been astonishing and even now, Pearson struggles to put his finger on how he did it. “It’s difficult to answer, but what I will say is that during the most difficult times the belief was always there,” he says. Pearson has hit the headlines for the wrong reasons as well this season “When you hit the bottom for the first time that’s something that can knock the wind out of you. We knew we always we had to keep in touch ahead of the last eight games and if we did that we still had a chance. Even in those moments when we were bottom for such a long time and we were written off, it takes the pressure off you sometimes. “Whenever you get setbacks it’s going to test the resolve and mentality but there’s always been a feeling with the players that we can compete. “Ultimately we’ve put together a run that has been unusual and I’m not trying to underplay it. “But in the context of where we were two months ago, to be looking at the last game of the season trying to finish on a high rather than needing the points to stay up, is a remarkable thing to be saying, if I’m honest.” Pearson is far removed from the grump many believe him to be. He is good company, self-depricating and in our 35 minutes in his office it is clear how much the players like and respect him. We are interrupted three times – the first by a player in tears after saying his goodbyes with his contract expiring, while forward Leonardo Ulloa and captain Wes Morgan both came in to discuss next week’s trip to Thailand, all expenses paid by Leicester’s owners. “It’s like looking after 40 kids,” says Pearson with a smile. But that spirit he has engendered has been evident all season, never more so than he was sacked and later reinstated in February. It was 24 hours after that scuffle with McArthur, but did it actually have a positive effect? “I’m not someone that tries to manufacture a siege mentality but if there’s a potential for it to work in your favour, then fine,” he says. “Whenever there has been negative headlines the general reaction within has been quite protective. “It was a weekend in which there was lots of speculation, what happened or what supposedly happened remains in the confines of the club. Was it a catalyst for there being a concerted pull in one direction? Maybe, I don’t know…” There have been other memorable moments, such as the 5-3 win over Manchester United in September. “It was a fantastic turnaround and I’m glad we won it because otherwise we’d be three points worse off! To be 2-0 and 3-1 down, then to win it 5-3 with four goals in 21 minutes, is remarkable,” he says. Pearson celebrates Leicester's stunning win over Man Utd “I can’t see that happening again to United. [Louis] Van Gaal will have had a full season to get his team playing and operating the way he wants. “As a day and a occasion it was a fabulous result but I’m sure there will be question marks over whether it contributed to that run of 13 games without a win that came after it.” Pearson has one more game, this Sunday’s visit of relegated QPR, but thoughts are already on next season. He is determined to make additions this summer and remains hopeful that Esteban Cambiasso, voted player of the year this week, agrees to sign a new 12-month contract. “Staying up is an achievement and very satisfying but now we have to make sure we’re better prepared for next season. Hopefully it will be something we can draw on next year to keep improving. “We’ve saved our season so there has to be an element of learning - and that includes me.”
TheUltimateWinner Posted 20 May 2015 Posted 20 May 2015 Not the right thread but if it was Knocky in tears, its such a shame he's leaving. I think he would play well in the role Mahrez has been playing in recent weeks.
benpicko Posted 20 May 2015 Posted 20 May 2015 We are interrupted three times – the first by a player in tears after saying his goodbyes with his contract expiring, while forward Leonardo Ulloa and captain Wes Morgan both came in to discuss next week’s trip to Thailand, all expenses paid by Leicester’s owners. Knockaert ?
Stevosevic Posted 20 May 2015 Posted 20 May 2015 It won't be a player that is playing Sunday or off to Thailand, also has to be someone who loves it here Knocky it is
Corky Posted 20 May 2015 Posted 20 May 2015 Not. Cambiasso. Please. Not. Cambiasso. Given he's mentioned later on about the possibility of staying on, I doubt it. Knockaert seems the logical answer.
Craig Posted 20 May 2015 Posted 20 May 2015 Can imagine it would all be a bit upsetting for Bakayogo too?
benpicko Posted 20 May 2015 Posted 20 May 2015 Not. Cambiasso. Please. Not. Cambiasso. I don't think he'd be in tears at leaving us and it says at the end that Pearson remains hopeful of him signing a new deal
EnderbyFox Posted 20 May 2015 Author Posted 20 May 2015 Probably GTF, I heard he's became quite fond of the club canteen
Craig Posted 20 May 2015 Posted 20 May 2015 I don't think he'd be in tears at leaving us and it says at the end that Pearson remains hopeful of him signing a new deal Yes I didn't mean it.
Stevosevic Posted 20 May 2015 Posted 20 May 2015 I don't think he'd be in tears at leaving us and it says at the end that Pearson remains hopeful of him signing a new deal And the small point of him playing on Sunday
Stevosevic Posted 20 May 2015 Posted 20 May 2015 Konchesky's out of contract. But likely to be in the squad on Sunday, so I doubt he would be saying his goodbyes now....
foxoffderby Posted 20 May 2015 Posted 20 May 2015 Don't think NP is arrogant but defends his players and his corner. Whats wrong with that? Met him about half a dozen times always nice and seems grounded up for a laugh. The media spice up things to sell papers
Hungry Hungry Fox Posted 20 May 2015 Posted 20 May 2015 It'll be someone who is no longer up to our standard
LCFCtotheprem Posted 20 May 2015 Posted 20 May 2015 Hope Knockaert is there for the lap of honour at the end of the game, he deserves a good send off for all his passion for the club
StanSP Posted 20 May 2015 Posted 20 May 2015 Upson. Although unsure if the tears were through another injury or through realisation that he's leaving...
ealingfox Posted 20 May 2015 Posted 20 May 2015 If Knockaert's got so much PASHUN for us he can grab a Kleenex, sign the contract we've offered him and not go on loan to Charlton next season.
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