In-depth reaction to Pearson's return

[Clive Redman]

Soar Magazine analyses Nigel Pearson's return to Leicester City...

n football the term unfinished business is used all too readily but where Nigel Pearson and Leicester City is concerned, it is an extremely accurate assessment, even if the man himself is unlikely to provide the media with such an obvious sound bite.

When the 48-year-old former Shrewsbury Town, Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough centre back was unveiled by the Foxes for the second time, he talked openly and frankly about the reasons behind his return and his determination to bring even more success to the club.

“I am delighted to be back here. I like positive pressure. I don’t feel the fact that the expectations are high is going to interfere with how I work. I get a very positive feel for the place. I’ve been here before but that doesn’t mean that things will be exactly the same as they were. The club is in a different position in terms of ownership. It’s a big challenge and one that I’m really looking forward to.

“I didn’t expect it, I didn’t see it coming, but I’m very pleased to be here. It’s a club which I have an affinity with. I had a very good time here before and I think there is an awful lot of potential for us to achieve the aspirations that the owners have. It’s a very difficult league and the hardest thing in the Championship is to be consistently successful. I believe we’ve got a very strong squad and it’s a unique opportunity for me and my staff.”

For more see...

http://www.soarmagazine.co.uk/2011/12/05/back-to-the-future/

[artursteppe]

I am just hoping that Pearson is true to his word about 'being fair' to players. He has given first chance to the 'old guard' in midfield. Most of us realise the mix is not good. We desperately need change. It is time to try one, or two, or three of Abe, Fernandes and Johnson, or maybe give Bamba a go if we have Tunchev and St Ledger available in defense, or put Pantsil at right back with Peltier right side midfield, anything pleeeaaase.

Four out of Wellens, King, Danns, Gallagher and Dyer every week is more likely to get us relegated than promoted.

[Happy Fox]

I am just hoping that Pearson is true to his word about 'being fair' to players. He has given first chance to the 'old guard' in midfield. Most of us realise the mix is not good. We desperately need change. It is time to try one, or two, or three of Abe, Fernandes and Johnson, or maybe give Bamba a go if we have Tunchev and St Ledger available in defense, or put Pantsil at right back with Peltier right side midfield, anything pleeeaaase.

Four out of Wellens, King, Danns, Gallagher and Dyer every week is more likely to get us relegated than promoted.

Too true as individuals they are good but collectively as a team that midfield won't get us promoted

[Yojoe36]

I think he's done well in his first 4 games. We'll see what happens long-term though. I hate honeymoon periods

[MikeyT]

I think he's done well in his first 4 games. We'll see what happens long-term though. I hate honeymoon periods

Especially if you're the Groom.

Sorry.

[Guest Col city fan]

I am just hoping that Pearson is true to his word about 'being fair' to players. He has given first chance to the 'old guard' in midfield. Most of us realise the mix is not good. We desperately need change. It is time to try one, or two, or three of Abe, Fernandes and Johnson, or maybe give Bamba a go if we have Tunchev and St Ledger available in defense, or put Pantsil at right back with Peltier right side

midfield, anything pleeeaaase.

Four out of Wellens, King, Danns, Gallagher and Dyer every week is more likely to get us relegated than promoted.

I agree that those four wont get us promoted but to say they will get us relegated is just as unlikely. As I said at the start of the season, this team IMO is crying out for a midfield

tough nut to simply win back possession and to lay it off time and time again.

Neither Gelson nor Abe are good enough. I'd go for someone with more physical presence and who is bigger and better in the air. Bamba could be that player, with the right coaching.

Peltier is a full back... I'd leave him there. His crossing is

woeful.

So, for me I'd play four five one, with bamba or equivalent just in front of the back four. Two wide men with pace and wellens or Fernandes, and king in the centre.

Nugent up top.

However, and heres the rub... I have far far more faith in Nige to get it right than I ever had in Sven. So I'm happy to sit and see what he is going to do. Whatever that is, I reckon we will make play offs.

[bluebeau]

I have a very good feeling with regard to Nigel Pearson, & I'm very happy to have him back.

It's a shame that it didn't work out for Sven, as he was very good for the football club in as much as his presence gave the club worldwide media coverage, & although I was sorry to see him go, it does now appear that it was the correct decision.

However, in Nigel I see a manager that is genuinely happy to be at the football club, he is very ambitious, a fair minded disciplinarian that will not suffer fools, & has a very good staff supporting him.

I really feel that he will be with the club long-term & will get us into the Prem., hopefully this season.

It's going to be interesting to see who he signs in the January transfer window.

Welcome home Nigel, 4 games in & doing very well.

[Yojoe36]

Especially if you're the Groom.

Sorry.

Oh dear

[marbelladave]

Pearson's teams are always about two things above all else, Application and Organisation.

The application was apprent from game one but it looks like organisation is going to take rather longer.

At the moment I think this is the single biggest issue that NFP faces, first of all none of the key partnerships in the side are really working, we have three good center backs, but at no point has any of the possible combinations looked to be really effective as a pair. Similarly up front there is no real sign that Nugent and Beckford can function together, decent as individuals but offering nothing when playing together.

I've had my say about the Wellens / King pairing many times, saturday was a good example of what I have been saying, against decent opposition they simply fall apart, nothing like enough presence defensively and largely bypassed going forward.

Even the fullback / wide man combinations leave a lot to be desired, on the left Dyer is only effective if we are getting forward and that hardly happened at all on saturday, while on the right Danns looks lost and Gallagher lightweight under pressure. The only combination that looked at all effective in a team context was the couple of games that Abe started in front of Peltier.

It will be interesting to see NFP's thinking as he tries to resolve these issues, it will be interesting to see the kind of player he targets in the January window......

[Fox92]

Nice read. I have to say that his teams always appear more organised and motivated.

My reaction to him returning was....