Pearson In/Out

[TrentFox]

We know they want & need promotion. We don't have a time limit on it, only the one fans put on it.

For all anyone actually knows. The main target of the season could have been to get the bulk of work done on sustainability whilst being competitive at the top.

Equally, it could have been to win the league by 10 points...

No one really knows as they've never said, so it's different to the 'Martin George/Brian Little' era who kept saying they had a 3 year plan.

That for me is the crux of this. If it's the former, then he'll be here a while longer yet. If it's the latter, then getting rid with ten games to go is no more of a gamble for me than keeping him, given how performances have been for some time. There isn't a right or wrong answer. It's not black or white. It's a dice roll, potentially, by the owners. If they think they can still hit the jackpot this season, then they will make the call that gives them the best chance to do so. I've changed my mind back and forth many times over the last few days. Personally, and with absolutely no idea of what is really happening behind the scenes, I think it will come down to who they think they can get in .... at speed. If the right man will come, I've just got a feeling they might go for it.

[Guest Col city fan]

That for me is the crux of this. If it's the former, then he'll be here a while longer yet. If it's the latter, then getting rid with ten games to go is no more of a gamble for me than keeping him, given how performnces have been for some time. There isn't a right or wrong answer. It's not black or white. It's a dice roll, potentially, by the owners. If they think they can still hit the jackpot this season, then they will make the call that gives them the best chance to do so. I've chagned my mind back and forth many times over the last few days. Personally, and with absolutely no idea of what is really happening behind the scenes, I think it will come down to who they think they can get in .... at speed. If the right man will come, I've just got a feeling they might go for it.

Great post as usual Trent.

However, please stop beating me on the 'Foxes Talk Predictor'...

[TrentFox]

Great post as usual Trent.

However, please stop beating me on the 'Foxes Talk Predictor'...

Given my track record on predictions, I'm sure it won't last for long !! (Unless that turns out to be another rubbish prediction on my part?????)

[birdwith2beaksandnofriends]

I have no idea whether firing NP would work out or not and I think some of his staunchest defenders have tripped over themselves in their argument. I don't want to see him go, not yet at least, but the only convincing argument I can come up with in his favour can only be reached by acknowledging a few unfortunate truths:

a) That finishing 5th in 2010 should not be compared to reaching 5th this year, because of spending and expectations

b) That he has had a high number of fall-outs with players

c) That he has been tactically one-dimensional for much of the season

d) That his signings have included a lot of promise, but also a few big gambles that didn't pay off

e) That he actually benefited in many respects from the spending of the Sousa and Eriksson eras

f) That his manner in recent press conferences has led to a lot of ill feeling towards him on the terraces

g) That we are in an appalling run of form which will lead to us falling out of the play offs if it doesn't stop now

h) That our points-per-game total over the course of this season is below expectations, and wouldn't have made the play-offs last season

i) That him having enjoyed our best season in the past nine years is a misleading fact - those have been the nine least successful seasons in our history and we are now seeing the biggest ever investment in our history

j) That the trial of Schlupp was a bizarre and unprecedented managerial move, and ultimately led to us unsettling a promising player and - when Konchesky came off injured in a key game - not having cover. A game later the loaning out of Moore led to an identical problem when De Laet came off.

If we can accept the above, and that Pearson is therefore not doing a great job this time around, then I think we can make a realistic counter-argument to the SACK PEARSON campaign and serious suggestions for improvement, without needing insults or exaggerations:

a) That we are only ten games from the end of the season and few incoming managers in football history have, within ten games of arrival, achieved the sort of form we need to achieve to remain in the play-offs

b) That Pearson knows the strengths of the players

c) That we may well need loan signings, and his knowledge of our weaknesses makes him the best-placed man to bring the right ones in

d) That he varied tactics regularly in 2009-10, and so has the capacity to be less one-dimensional than his current set-up: What he needs to do is look back at how he has handled things differently in the past and learn from it

e) That he has won a promotion from another league (and with us)

f) That his achievements in his first spell were outstanding and, on-balance, he has had a positive influence on the club

g) That we have been crying out for years for a manager who focuses on long-term team-building, and some of his acquisitions will almost certainly prove to be assets

h) That our greatest ever success came from not getting trigger happy with a good manager in a brief, but serious, dip in form during a promotion race. Even though that manager had only been here for a short time, it should be remembered that a short time ago we were doing a lot better than we are now

i) That it would be impossible for a new manager to change anything through Monday's session, coming before a game we expect to lose. Even if we want to sack Pearson before the end of the season, it makes sense to give him that game and even one more before the international break

j) Many of the alternatives being mentioned are worrying names - Di Canio says he is not a racist, doesn't vote and hangs out with Socialists, but he also once said he was a fascist, which isn't wise for the most multicultural city in England, which is desperate to attract Asian fans; Megson's name has been rumoured, Keane likewise, Hoddle, McClaren and McLeish are all in the market for a job. Meanwhile it is likely that Adkins, Lennon and Di Matteo are all unavailable, or at best happy to wait. If Pearson is to go, then we should be patient too.

k) If we are in potential financial difficulties, then paying off three members of staff (who have helped to cut our wage bill) is an expense we may not be able to afford

l) At this stage in the season, over history, more clubs in our position go up when they stick with the manager

Okay, so you might disagree with some of this, but I just feel a balanced argument would do more to help Pearson's case - and lead to sensible suggestions as to what we can do to sort ourselves out.

This is superb and I think that all posters must find at least some resonance with their own views here.

[birdwith2beaksandnofriends]

what a ridiculous thing to say.

Fact is the Championship is a great wide open league where any team can beat any other each week.

If NP is sacked then City will become a laughing stock. I didn't agree with Sven's sacking and this would be even worse.

Imagine going to work and being on route to hitting your pre year sales targets only to get the sack a few weeks before they are realised. Those wanting NP out would not be happy I'm sure.

We are a laughing stock already. If it's not broke, don't fix it. If it is broken, damn well fix it.

It's broken. NP is a busted flush. A spent force. He has a glass ceiling and we've headbutted it a few times.

The Thai's aim is above that glass season. So something has to give, and I hope it's NP's head.

[bald reynard]

I have no idea whether firing NP would work out or not and I think some of his staunchest defenders have tripped over themselves in their argument. I don't want to see him go, not yet at least, but the only convincing argument I can come up with in his favour can only be reached by acknowledging a few unfortunate truths:

a) That finishing 5th in 2010 should not be compared to reaching 5th this year, because of spending and expectations

b) That he has had a high number of fall-outs with players

c) That he has been tactically one-dimensional for much of the season

d) That his signings have included a lot of promise, but also a few big gambles that didn't pay off

e) That he actually benefited in many respects from the spending of the Sousa and Eriksson eras

f) That his manner in recent press conferences has led to a lot of ill feeling towards him on the terraces

g) That we are in an appalling run of form which will lead to us falling out of the play offs if it doesn't stop now

h) That our points-per-game total over the course of this season is below expectations, and wouldn't have made the play-offs last season

i) That him having enjoyed our best season in the past nine years is a misleading fact - those have been the nine least successful seasons in our history and we are now seeing the biggest ever investment in our history

j) That the trial of Schlupp was a bizarre and unprecedented managerial move, and ultimately led to us unsettling a promising player and - when Konchesky came off injured in a key game - not having cover. A game later the loaning out of Moore led to an identical problem when De Laet came off.

Very, very good - I agree with all that !

[funkyrobot]

Surely the biggest investment in the team was during Sven's era?

[Libertine Dream]

With a full contingent of owners there on Saturday, I think he could be on his way but with a game Tuesday Id have expected it to be today. Maybe that game being rescheduled will save him and we might get a Mark Robins scoring for Fergie moment on Tuesday

[Izzet is God]

Give him till end of season...if we make play offs I'll be happy with that as wasn't expecting anything more with our squad....let's face it we were never going to to win the league and a good run saw us get to 2nd.

I personally don't think pearson will be here if we don't get promotion. The thais are on a promotion or bust campaign and making the playoffs and not winning them wont cut it. If we carry on with the recent form, we'll be lucky to hold onto 5th.

Need a boost of confidence and a decent win rather then sub standard performances against teams lower than us - we haven't been the same since the P'boro loss.

[paulsherwood1]

With a full contingent of owners there on Saturday, I think he could be on his way but with a game Tuesday Id have expected it to be today. Maybe that game being rescheduled will save him and we might get a Mark Robins scoring for Fergie moment on Tuesday

I really, really hope we do. But the 30 years of being a city fan in me says no chance!!! Tuesday has got 2-0 Cardiff written all over if. No wonder it's only a tenner to travel with a free scarf, pie and pint!!!!

[Harry - LCFC]

I usually try to keep a sense of perspective about the football and avoid knee-jerk reactions but I have to admit my patience is wearing a little thin with Pearson.

Although I am aware that other excellent managers for us have had bad patches and come through it. Despite the part of me which wants to throw my teddy out the pram over our current form, it is probably wise to see if Pearson can bring us through this and continue the good job he has done so far.

Almost exactly mirrors my thoughts on this. I'm so frustrated about our league form recently but I try not to let it boil over. It's easy to take a short term view of the situation but as most people know that doesn't get you very far. I want us to stick with Pearson even though he's annoying me a bit at the moment.

[fleckneymike]

I think the issue is the apparent inability to initially acknowledge a problem and having acknowledged it knowing how to deal with it.

If we take Pearson at his own words he has confessed that sides know how to deal with us. Dealing with us seems to involve playing with little attacking intent or the occasional pressing of the midfield. Our away form has indicated a problem, yet week after week the same formation is trotted out, the personnel may change but (with the exception of Knockaert) the expectation of the player in position does not. Our substitutes are seldom designed to alter our philosophy or shape but are rather meant to try a little bit harder. As times have got tougher we've retreated further and further into a manta of 'shape, shape' and regressed as a footballing side.

Something 'drastic' has to happen. Whether that is a change at the top or a move away from two banks of four I don't know, what I do know is that if the sides at the very bottom have sussed you out then something is amiss.

[lestamitch]

I love this banter about if Pearson should go, but you gotta remember this is Leicester City FC, we're a maybe team, a team with excellent fans who expect too much! I love City but I just don't get my hopes up anymore. I believe we shudda stuck with Sven n that was my biggest belief in many a year cos there's no one else big enough or daft enough to come n manage us so (unfortunately) it looks best to stick wit Pearson till the end of the season.

[Guy]

I love this banter about if Pearson should go, but you gotta remember this is Leicester City FC, we're a maybe team, a team with excellent fans who expect too much! I love City but I just don't get my hopes up anymore. I believe we shudda stuck with Sven n that was my biggest belief in many a year cos there's no one else big enough or daft enough to come n manage us so (unfortunately) it looks best to stick wit Pearson till the end of the season.

I must say that as much as I like Pearson (and especially what he did first time round for us), some of the stuff we played under Sven was great to watch - like we have been this season at times too when drubbling certain teams. It was still a catastrophic error to part company with Sven when we did early on last season when he was building his own team - and especially after just two bad defeats, with one of those defeats being to a team who we traditionally come up short against no matter who's at the helm of course, namely Millwall! Obviously ridding him and then having to get Pearson back in was no doubt all contributory to our recently reported £30 million loss from last season as was dismantling Sven's team and selling them all off on the cheap - Beckford, Mills, Pantsil, Fernandes, et al - all of whom could have been very good for us if managed properly! You get the feeling they would all have performed better for the whole season had Sven still been here for it's entire duration last time out as they were his players and he'd obviously bought them here for a reason. For me Pearson's second spell just hasn't worked out in the way we were all perhaps hoping.....and I loved having high profile Sven here, it was brilliant!

What's done is done though and I'll still say stick with Pearson until the summer but like it or not, he won't be around next season if we don't even make the play offs this time. Even if we do (and fail to go up via them), then I wouldn't think he'll remain here afterwards either. There could be bleak times ahead if we don't start improving again and at least qualify for the play offs - like right now! - even 6th is looking highly acceptale for us now! Needless to say that recently reported loss won't please the Thais and it will obviously worsen if we're rooted in the mediocrity of the Championship for yet another season after much Far East investment since 2010!

[Bob Weasel Fox]

I really, really hope we do. But the 30 years of being a city fan in me says no chance!!! Tuesday has got 2-0 Cardiff written all over if. No wonder it's only a tenner to travel with a free scarf, pie and pint!!!!

I'd have to agree definately Cardiff will win but how many by? Think we are in for a tonking unfortunately

[seenitall]

I must say that as much as I like Pearson (and especially what he did first time round for us), some of the stuff we played under Sven was great to watch - like we have been this season at times too when drubbling certain teams. It was still a catastrophic error to part company with Sven when we did early on last season when he was building his own team - and especially after just two bad defeats, with one of those defeats being to a team who we traditionally come up short against no matter who's at the helm of course, namely Millwall! Obviously ridding him and then having to get Pearson back in was no doubt all contributory to our recently reported £30 million loss from last season as was dismantling Sven's team and selling them all off on the cheap - Beckford, Mills, Pantsil, Fernandes, et al - all of whom could have been very good for us if managed properly! You get the feeling they would all have performed better for the whole season had Sven still been here for it's entire duration last time out as they were his players and he'd obviously bought them here for a reason. For me Pearson's second spell just hasn't worked out in the way we were all perhaps hoping.....and I loved having high profile Sven here, it was brilliant!

What's done is done though and I'll still say stick with Pearson until the summer but like it or not, he won't be around next season if we don't even make the play offs this time. Even if we do (and fail to go up via them), then I wouldn't think he'll remain here afterwards either. There could be bleak times ahead if we don't start improving again and at least qualify for the play offs - like right now! - even 6th is looking highly acceptale for us now! Needless to say that recently reported loss won't please the Thais and it will obviously worsen if we're rooted in the mediocrity of the Championship for yet another season after much Far East investment since 2010!

At least there's two of us now..... Prepare to be slaughtered fella, suggesting that things were exciting under Sven or that he went too soon is not allowed by the NP Gestpo on FT. You are not even allowed to,suggest that thenbest palyers left in our team now were bought in by him or that any one of the players you mention above would have been preferable to add somemexprience to the million pound kids that seem a little lost now.

Common fallacy is that the Thai owners done good by getting a sensible man like Nige in, I see it as a shocking U turn that will backfire drastically. Prepare for for more 'Mills Beckford and 13th' disinegnuity to rain down rather than any acknowledgement of a rescue from bottom of the table to play off challengers in first season followed by unbelievable (on the scale of Allardyce going from Blackburn) sacking after the season had barely begun, with nothimg like a 5 points from 21 return that we see now. I'll never understand the hypocrisy or the meek way in which our fans accepted being shafted by an injection of mediocrity and I won't be happy until we pick up another either established or seriously up and coming manager again. Not sure the owners know how to do that though.

[He's not bald]

At least there's two of us now..... Prepare to be slaughtered fella, suggesting that things were exciting under Sven or that he went too soon is not allowed by the NP Gestpo on FT. You are not even allowed to,suggest that thenbest palyers left in our team now were bought in by him or that any one of the players you mention above would have been preferable to add somemexprience to the million pound kids that seem a little lost now.

Common fallacy is that the Thai owners done good by getting a sensible man like Nige in, I see it as a shocking U turn that will backfire drastically. Prepare for for more 'Mills Beckford and 13th' disinegnuity to rain down rather than any acknowledgement of a rescue from bottom of the table to play off challengers in first season followed by unbelievable (on the scale of Allardyce going from Blackburn) sacking after the season had barely begun, with nothimg like a 5 points from 21 return that we see now. I'll never understand the hypocrisy or the meek way in which our fans accepted being shafted by an injection of mediocrity and I won't be happy until we pick up another either established or seriously up and coming manager again. Not sure the owners know how to do that though.

Well there's 3 of us then, I agree Sven should have been given more time, NP did well for us the first time around but bringing him back was a big mistake. History will show it was a bad decision for the club and for Pearson!

[Guest Col city fan]

At least there's two of us now..... Prepare to be slaughtered fella, suggesting that things were exciting under Sven or that he went too soon is not allowed by the NP Gestpo on FT. You are not even allowed to,suggest that thenbest palyers left in our team now were bought in by him or that any one of the players you mention above would have been preferable to add somemexprience to the million pound kids that seem a little lost now.

Common fallacy is that the Thai owners done good by getting a sensible man like Nige in, I see it as a shocking U turn that will backfire drastically. Prepare for for more 'Mills Beckford and 13th' disinegnuity to rain down rather than any acknowledgement of a rescue from bottom of the table to play off challengers in first season followed by unbelievable (on the scale of Allardyce going from Blackburn) sacking after the season had barely begun, with nothimg like a 5 points from 21 return that we see now. I'll never understand the hypocrisy or the meek way in which our fans accepted being shafted by an injection of mediocrity and I won't be happy until we pick up another either established or seriously up and coming manager again. Not sure the owners know how to do that though.

What a shame!

Some of your recent posts have been a bit more interesting, just a bit more balanced and then you have to play your Joker again!

Sven was nothing more than a charlatan. Riding on the wave of past glories, achieved many many years ago. Have you not read the financial thread? Sven, backed by the board, crippled the club under his tenure... With Jermaine Beckford being possibly the worst value for money signing EVER, given the current circumstances. Pearson has had to work in this dark shadow ever since he took over.

Yes, it could be that he's taken us as far as he can, he might not have 'the minerals' to attain that next step.

But for you to STILL be harping on about SGE is just weird. I said this at the time, I wonder whether you were related to Sven.

The current plight of Nige must be music to your ears eh Seenitall?

Well play a different tune to the Sven one mate, it's boring.

[dynamark]

Three -I enjoyed our time with Sven remembering where we were previously.Sven attitude was all about pace and it was very easy on the eye. Owners pulled the trigger aftre Millwall and I thought at the game that the fans put the pressure right on.

[Guest Col city fan]

All the 'Sven ites' are crawling back out now...

Fickle fookin football fans!!

[dynamark]

Ha- sorry four.Col Im quite happy to admit that Svens way was unsustainable unless we hit the prem but im pretty sure thats what they got him in to do and why the cheque book was always open.The owners were impatient and had to swallow an expensive lesson.Still enjoyed some of the football even Ricardo very occasionally.Move on though

[Guest Col city fan]

Ha- sorry four.Col Im quite happy to admit that Svens way was unsustainable unless we hit the prem but im pretty sure thats what they got him in to do and why the cheque book was always open.The owners were impatient and had to swallow an expensive lesson.Still enjoyed some of the football even Ricardo very occasionally.Move on though

Some of the football was good.. Some of it was utter dross... Move on mate like you say. This ain't the time to be looking back with nostalgia at Sven for Christ's sake!

[flowwolf]

Any news is Badger face still in charge ?

[Reynard Bleu]

The crisis is one of confidence not ability, changing the manager may have a tmporary effect it may not. What's needed is leaders on the pitch leading by example and doing the simple thinmgs well all of the time. I'm as hacked of as anybody but I just can't see that wholesale managment and coaching change with 10 games to go is going to save our season. This lot can do it, its all about them really stepping upto the plate and doing the business.

[seenitall]

What a shame!

Some of your recent posts have been a bit more interesting, just a bit more balanced and then you have to play your Joker again!

Sven was nothing more than a charlatan. Riding on the wave of past glories, achieved many many years ago. Have you not read the financial thread? Sven, backed by the board, crippled the club under his tenure... With Jermaine Beckford being possibly the worst value for money signing EVER, given the current circumstances. Pearson has had to work in this dark shadow ever since he took over.

Yes, it could be that he's taken us as far as he can, he might not have 'the minerals' to attain that next step.

But for you to STILL be harping on about SGE is just weird. I said this at the time, I wonder whether you were related to Sven.

The current plight of Nige must be music to your ears eh Seenitall?

Well play a different tune to the Sven one mate, it's boring.

You suppose though that the cause and effect of these things is very short lived - Nigel Pearson's team that reached the play offs was well motivated and had momentum but once he was out of the equation their shortcomings were there for all to see - no keeper, one striker, no midfield and Sousa had them in deep trouble.

This suggests that Niges only real skill is motivation and togetherness, which works so far but fails when the tactics are worked out. I 'bang on' about Sven (first post about him in almost a year) because we have not markedly improved since then - we are still capable of going on poor runs and although the squad is a cheaper one now it actually looks like it.

My point is not actually about Sven himself, merely that two years ago we expected managers of that background to come to our club, now we have to be happy with NP because he is the best we can get and he doesn't seem up for a job this big to me - I don't care what the owners do as long as they get some football knowledge onto the board and appoint the inevitable next manager wisely.

PS We never went on a run as poor as this under Sven - look it up.