Fernandes Going

[Babylon]

I thought you could only come to a proper conclusion once you've seen footballers do what they do best... play football.

Again, he doesn't have to play people in a game to see what they can do. He has the advantage above all of us by being able to see them in training each and every day.

I could also play a bit of Devil's Advocate here and ask you why Wellens or King still feature as part of the starting eleven when both of them have failed (miserably) to impress lately?

Because there wasn't a great deal wrong the first three games, and difficult to point fingers during the Hull game as we were down to 10 men for most of the game. So in effect under Pearson it's been the Peterborough and Doncaster games in which they have been very poor and have had no excuses. If you didn't want them in for the Doncaster game then you'd be effectively dropping them all after one poor performance against Peterborough.

I think Pearson will now be thinking about changes, but if he doesn't fancy what he has seen from the others, then at the moment he's between a rock and a hard place.

[volpeazzurro]

How much more time to you give Pearson to evaluate his squad when he only plays a similar line-up week in, week out? I thought you could only come to a proper conclusion once you've seen footballers do what they do best... play football.

I could also play a bit of Devil's Advocate here and ask you why Wellens or King still feature as part of the starting eleven when both of them have failed (miserably) to impress lately?

Defining factors in a footballer's life in order to evaluate their potential are age, willingness to learn, commitment/dedication, creativity, reliability, mental strength.

I look at Johnson and Fernandes, then at Wellens (and maybe King) and am pretty sure which one(s) I'd rather keep.

You make some very good points and I probably didn't make it clear that I too don't necessarily think King and Wellens are the answer, on the contrary, I don't think King has been worth his place for a very long while now. I more mean that when Sven bought in Danns, Fernandes and Johnson, what was he trying to achieve? Arguably we needed some flair/a player who can thread a ball through to Nugent or later Beckford. Also a winger. A player who if you bring them on can change the game because he offers something that little bit different. None of the three that he bought were ever going to fulfil any of that just more of the same. Yes you could mix and match them with what we've got but at best they are mediocre and not likely to offer much more however long you persist with them. Best imo to get rid and try again though I am aware that those players would then need time to gel as they say, time that we haven't really got unless we're writing this season off. We could do a lot worse than to give Schlupp a try on the left with Dyer on the right, at least they would give the opposition something to think about.

[Captain...]

Surely that's what training is for?

I understand your point there, but you can't compare training to a game situation, you are right if his attitude is wrong in training and he is sulking and not putting the effort in then he shouldn't be in the first team. The most recent performance of his we can reference is the reserve game where he banged in 4 goals. I can't imagine he is doing nothing in training. If Pearson is picking the best team based on training then clearly those on the pitch aren't performing as well as they are in training so it is not an accurate barometer. I just think that we have a player who has shown touches of quality and has bags of experience at the top level not getting a look in when we are underperforming on the pitch. He would add bite and class to the midfield and I think he deserves at least a half of a football match to prove he can offer something to the club. Would be a big loss if he left without ever getting his chance under Pearson. He may not be the answer to our problems, he may suck if played against Ipswich, but even if it did nothing else it would hopefully jog King and Wellens out of their comfort zone thinking they are untouchable and can underperform and not get dropped.

[accessory]

Again, he doesn't have to play people in a game to see what they can do. He has the advantage above all of us by being able to see them in training each and every day.

We have the advantage of seeing which players have underperformed in actual matches over the last 10-11 months. So we know where the weak links are, as our opponents do. It perturbs some of us that the manager is apparently unable (or unwilling?) to deal with issues that have been clear for a long time.

Because there wasn't a great deal wrong the first three games, and difficult to point fingers during the Hull game as we were down to 10 men for most of the game.

Some fans were happy with a point at Portsmouth. I wasn't one of them. It's a symptom of the malaise which has contributed to one of the worst away records in the division. The Mills red card at Hull is being used as an excuse. I recall games in 09-10 where we were able to organise and regroup even after a sending-off and grind out draws, even wins. Why were we not able to do that the other week?

So in effect under Pearson it's been the Peterborough and Doncaster games in which they have been very poor and have had no excuses. If you didn't want them in for the Doncaster game then you'd be effectively dropping them all after one poor performance against Peterborough.

I think Pearson will now be thinking about changes, but if he doesn't fancy what he has seen from the others, then at the moment he's between a rock and a hard place.

Pearson said that all members of the squad would be given a fair chance. As far as Fernandes and others are concerned, he doesn't appear to have stuck to his word.

[ithuriel]

I remember back when Pearson was first here we could get a result with ten men, the difference then against now is that he has only just his foot through the door and the squad is not up to the job, which is the reason Sven got the bullet.

It is not just the overall squad that is different but the mentality has changed too and we crumble far to easily when thing's go badly.

I liked Sven but the squad he built cost him his job and Pearson has to work with these underperformers, if he can't get them to play his way then he will undoubtedly get rid and get player's in who can.

[Babylon]

We have the advantage of seeing which players have underperformed in actual matches over the last 10-11 months. So we know where the weak links are, as our opponents do. It perturbs some of us that the manager is apparently unable (or unwilling?) to deal with issues that have been clear for a long time.

But he wasn't here! As I said, he sees the new guys in training, maybe he doesn't believe they are better than what we have.... have they shown otherwise in games they have played?

Pearson said that all members of the squad would be given a fair chance. As far as Fernandes and others are concerned he doesn't appear to have stuck to his word.

Did he say everyone would get a chance or everyone would play games? A chance can also mean a chance to impress in training. If he meant game time did he stipulate it would all happen in the first 6 games?

I don't like the Wellens/King partnership, i've been saying that since promotion to this league. But i've also not really seen much from any of the others to suggest they are the answer. The only one to have shown anything is Ferandes, and even then he was as inconsistent as the rest of them.

Sven signed these guys and still ended up playing Wellens, King and Gallagher.... maybe the new guys aren't as good as people think they might be!

[Happy Fox]

But he wasn't here! As I said, he sees the new guys in training, maybe he doesn't believe they are better than what we have.... have they shown otherwise in games they have played?

Did he say everyone would get a chance or everyone would play games? A chance can also mean a chance to impress in training. If he meant game time did he stipulate it would all happen in the first 6 games?

I don't like the Wellens/King partnership, i've been saying that since promotion to this league. But i've also not really seen much from any of the others to suggest they are the answer. The only one to have shown anything is Ferandes, and even then he was as inconsistent as the rest of them.

Sven signed these guys and still ended up playing Wellens, King and Gallagher.... maybe the new guys aren't as good as people think they might be!

Maybe not but at least try what harm can it do, were not exactly setting the division alight.

[Babylon]

Maybe not but at least try what harm can it do, were not exactly setting the division alight.

Sven did try them, and then started reverting back to the old guard. What does that tell you?

What harm could it do? Lose every game? Perform worse than we already do?

[marbelladave]

I feel that NFP expects Fernandes, Abe, Johnson and possibly some others to be gone next month and sees no point in giving them a game.

In addition he does not appear to rate either Danns or Schlupp......

That leaves him with very few options, expect more of the same.......

[Happy Fox]

Sven did try them, and then started reverting back to the old guard. What does that tell you?

What harm could it do? Lose every game? Perform worse than we already do?

I am not saying start all of them but mix things up a bit go back to 4-3-3 for the duration of these 3 games before the January transfer window as it quite clear 4-4-2 is not working at all as a) we don't have the personell b) Wellens/ King partnership is weak and not working.

[Happy Fox]

Why would NP come back here when Hull were doing well a) money. I honestly expect in the January window we are going for the kill to get promotion hopefully getting rid of the deadwood. He is not happy with lackluster performances so I am expecting big changes.

http://news.bbc.co.u...l/16246832.stm?

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson admits his side's work rate at crucial points in the game is a concern.

The Foxes were beaten 2-1 at struggling Doncaster last weekend and are now five points adrift of the play-offs.

Pearson told BBC Radio Leicester: "We are not working hard enough at crucial times in the games.

"We have a bit of a soft underbelly at the moment and that's a game we should have won. I have to change the mentality of some of the players."

Leicester had a 1-0 lead at half-time but two goals from Billy Sharp in three minutes after the break secured Doncaster's fifth win of the season.

"In all honesty that is another game I would've been disappointed to draw," added Pearson.

"To lose, it shows clearly we are not moving forward at the moment. We will do but there may have to be one or two changes.

"In terms of getting in front and in control of the game, to allowing the opposition to get on top, suggests we have quite a bit of work to get this team into shape and challenging."

[Captain...]

I remember back when Pearson was first here we could get a result with ten men, the difference then against now is that he has only just his foot through the door and the squad is not up to the job, which is the reason Sven got the bullet.

It is not just the overall squad that is different but the mentality has changed too and we crumble far to easily when thing's go badly.

I liked Sven but the squad he built cost him his job and Pearson has to work with these underperformers, if he can't get them to play his way then he will undoubtedly get rid and get player's in who can.

What we had in spades during Pearson's first reign was team sprirt, it was something that was killed by Sousa and then Sven. We had a core of a stable team and squad players that gave it their all when they had the chance and no bitching, those that did normally left.

We need that team spirit back more than anything, with a good team spirit and the right work ethic you can win games when a man down, you can secure all 3 points despite facing an opposition superior in skill. You can snatch goals at the death and steal undeserved points. That to me is what his first team was about, and what we lack now.

Maybe he trusts his old players because of this, because he has seen them in the trenches with their backs against the wall and seen them come out fighting, maybe he is trying to re-iginite this. He has tried with Danns and with Beckford but is losing patience with them (maybe unjustly) he needs to give Fernandes the same chance, or just terminate his contract now.

[accessory]

Sven did try them, and then started reverting back to the old guard. What does that tell you?

That the manager had favourites who he'd protect no matter what. Not that it did him much good as they still forced him out. Sven dropped certain players after ONE bad game, yet others could play badly for weeks knowing their place in the side was secure. What message did that send to the squad?

What harm could it do? Lose every game? Perform worse than we already do?

When the same players fail week in, week out, the manager has to act. I'd rather see kids from the academy doing their best for the shirt than the arrogant, overpaid wasters who protect their own positions at the expense of the team.

[Babylon]

What we had in spades during Pearson's first reign was team sprirt, it was something that was killed by Sousa and then Sven. We had a core of a stable team and squad players that gave it their all when they had the chance and no bitching, those that did normally left.

We need that team spirit back more than anything, with a good team spirit and the right work ethic you can win games when a man down, you can secure all 3 points despite facing an opposition superior in skill. You can snatch goals at the death and steal undeserved points. That to me is what his first team was about, and what we lack now.

Maybe he trusts his old players because of this, because he has seen them in the trenches with their backs against the wall and seen them come out fighting, maybe he is trying to re-iginite this. He has tried with Danns and with Beckford but is losing patience with them (maybe unjustly) he needs to give Fernandes the same chance, or just terminate his contract now.

When Pearson first arrived he said buying players wasn't just about how good they are as a footballer. And that he and Walsh etc do as much research as they can in to the type of person a players is as well. And that their character is as important as what they can do with the ball.

He's the only manager since MON that I remember stressing that point so much. I'm not so sure Sven and Sousa had the same opinion unfortunately.

[Happy Fox]

When Pearson first arrived he said buying players wasn't just about how good they are as a footballer. And that he and Walsh etc do as much research as they can in to the type of person a players is as well. And that their character is as important as what they can do with the ball.

He's the only manager since MON that I remember stressing that point so much. I'm not so sure Sven and Sousa had the same opinion unfortunately.

Maybe that is why he was saying in his post match interview that he wants to change the mentality but that will be very difficult because it is quite clear that the money being earned by some players compared to others is creating a egotistical environment and such players like Wellens are leeching the very life out of this club.

[accessory]

When Pearson first arrived he said buying players wasn't just about how good they are as a footballer. And that he and Walsh etc do as much research as they can in to the type of person a players is as well. And that their character is as important as what they can do with the ball.

He's the only manager since MON that I remember stressing that point so much. I'm not so sure Sven and Sousa had the same opinion unfortunately.

Character is a quality that's been in very short supply for us this season.

And when this is particularly apparent among players Pearson signed in his previous spell, we have to wonder about the extent of the "research" that was supposedly done by him and his backroom team.

[ithuriel]

In his previous spell the team and the players showed character, maybe certain players have been here too long and are too comfortable?

If they are then they are in for a rude awakening.

[Babylon]

That the manager had favourites who he'd protect no matter what. Not that it did him much good as they still forced him out. Sven dropped certain players after ONE bad game, yet others could play badly for weeks knowing their place in the side was secure. What message did that send to the squad?

Favourites he wanted to protect? He tried to replace the midfield in the summer, and in the end reverted back to them. Because the others signed weren't good enough maybe?

When the same players fail week in, week out, the manager has to act. I'd rather see kids from the academy doing their best for the shirt than the arrogant, overpaid wasters who protect their own positions at the expense of the team.

He has been here 6 games, won 2, drawn 2 and lost 2. It's not been every game since he's been here or before that. That's the problem, none of the players we have seem to be able to put together any consistency.

[Captain...]

Character is a quality that's been in very short supply for us this season.

And when this is particularly apparent among players Pearson signed in his previous spell, we have to wonder about the extent of the "research" that was supposedly done by him and his backroom team.

That was kinda my point, he knows these players and he knows they had the right character before, that is maybe why he trusts them so much because he knows they will come good in the end whereas he may see in Fernandes/Johnson et al something we don't on the training ground, something in their attitude that makes him think they are not right for this club. He seems to see it in Beckford, he wanted him before so he must believe that he is made of the right stuff mentally, and I think he will stick by him through this rough patch.

Whether or not this is the right attitude for this club now it has money and expectation I don't know. The quality you see in a scrappy battler when you are underdogs fighting for everything may not be the same thing you should look for now we are expected to be (even if not actually) competing at the top of this league.

It is not the first time that players have gone from being very successful in smaller struggling clubs to being overwhelmed at bigger clubs with much higher expectations, the weird thing in this case is that it is the same club.

[Babylon]

Character is a quality that's been in very short supply for us this season.

And when this is particularly apparent among players Pearson signed in his previous spell, we have to wonder about the extent of the "research" that was supposedly done by him and his backroom team.

Well they all had it the first time he was here. Perhaps would should be asking what's happened in between to mean that it's no longer there. Perhaps they are all as fed up of this club as some of the fans are.

[Happy Fox]

Off to Chievo apparently according to this article it is in Italian but the title gives it away

http://www.calcionews24.com/esclusiva-nuovo-contatto-chievo-fernandes.html

[Happy Fox]

A Serie A team wants him and yet we don't even try him instead of Wellens, what a waste shame it didn't work out.

[fosseman]

Off to Chievo apparently according to this article it is in Italian but the title gives it away

http://www.calcionew...-fernandes.html

Well spotted Happy. No great loss!

[DorsetFox9]

This is completely true and if you don't believe me then fair enough but.....

I bumped into Gelson Fernandes in Mountsorrel on saturday night and he said that he was disappointed with the result, Pearson is only playing the players he knows and that he's leaving soon cos he's not getting enough game time. He also said that Michael Johnson has already gone.

Personally I would have liked to see him get a good run in the side (as would many i think) but sadly he's not gonna be around for much longer. As he left he said see you in the Premier! At least he's got an good imagination

i also saw him in Mountsorrel on Saturday evening, didn't speak to him though

[General Smuts]

Hope he stays. What i've seen of him this year he's looked a class above. Granted i've been watching League 1 football all year but still he's looked quality.

Shame about Johnson as well. Hoped it would work out for him but unfortunately he's not managed to get his fitness up.