davieG Posted 28 July 2012 Posted 28 July 2012 Merc. Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson will go head-to-head today with the man who gave him his big break in professional football. Pearson returns to his first professional club, Shrewsbury, and will meet up again with Graham Turner. While things have certainly changed for the Shrews over the last 31 years since 18-year-old Pearson made his debut, one thing will be the same and that is the sight of Turner sat in the home dug-out. Turner was player-manager of Shrewsbury in 1981 when he signed Pearson from non-league Heanor Town and the 64-year-old said he had no doubts Pearson would go on to be a top player. "He had a trial game for us and he had great presence on the pitch," he said. "Even as an 18-year-old he had a great physical presence about him. He was dominant in the air from a very young age against a lot older and more experienced players. "He just looked at that time as though he was capable of becoming a good player. "He understood the game and, for a young player, his positional sense was good and his distribution was decent. "He was never the quickest and I did feel that would hinder him from playing at the very top level but he could compensate for that with his reading of the game. It didn't surprise me to see him move on. I played at the back but, once he came in, I had to move into midfield because he was a far better player than me." Turner said Pearson possessed natural leadership skills and wasn't surprised that he went on to be a successful captain, coach and now manager. He feels now is the time for Pearson to manage in the Premier League. "I can understand him captaining any team," he said. "He has a very shrewd football brain. It wasn't just his ability on the field, he was a big influence in the dressing room, even as a youngster. He is a very intelligent, likeable lad and the sort of professional you would want in your club. "It didn't surprise me at all to see him go into coaching and management. He is a very well respected manager. "I have dealt with players who have been in his dressing room and the players have a lot of respect for him. "He has done well but he needs to kick on now and with the opportunity afforded to him at Leicester there is no reason why he shouldn't manage successfully in the Premier League. "He has enough experience now and he has enough know-how. He has all the attributes to be a good English manager in the top flight. We would like to see more of those." Pearson's return won't be the only reunion this afternoon. Turner also signed City coach Mike Stowell when he was boss at Wolves and former City goalkeeper Chris Weale could also face his former club just a few months after he was released by Pearson and signed by Turner. "It is a terrific thing for us to be able to entertain a side as big as Leicester," said Turner. "It will be nice to see Nigel again, and Mike Stowell. "Chris is doing well. He obviously had his injury while on loan at Northampton last season but he has done well in pre-season and we are nursing him through it. "He played against Birmingham on Tuesday and did very well. We have to manage his training, otherwise, he gets carried away and over-does it."
Iwan is a Welshman Posted 28 July 2012 Posted 28 July 2012 There's worse people in the game to have that kind of compliment from than Chris Turner.
davieG Posted 28 July 2012 Author Posted 28 July 2012 There's worse people in the game to have that kind of compliment from than Chris Turner. Or even Graham Turner
Danny the Fox 95 Posted 28 July 2012 Posted 28 July 2012 "It is a terrific thing for us to be able to entertain a side as big as Leicester," said Turner. Love that man!
MC Prussian Posted 28 July 2012 Posted 28 July 2012 Very kind words from an experienced manager - and I've always had a soft spot for Shrewsbury. I wish them well for the upcoming season. Aaah, and a reunion with Weale. Get in (a few times)!
hbkkids Posted 28 July 2012 Posted 28 July 2012 Oh yh, forgot weale is at Shrewsbury. In that case I'm going for a Marshall hatrick.
Corky Posted 28 July 2012 Posted 28 July 2012 "It is a terrific thing for us to be able to entertain a side as big as Leicester," said Turner. Love that man! Legend.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.