Sven

[Dan]

Only could have been proved that, had he been given a decent amount of time, before failing. I reckon he would have got us up. Pearson won't. Wanna bet on it? 50 quid says he won't, so put your money where your mouth is.

 

No bet from me. Not got confidence - and there's very few who I'd have confidence in either. That's largely irrelevant though, Sven failed and I'm certain he'd have kept digging the whole even further in January when we'd have been sat midtable. We just didn't have that good a team - the majority of them clearly weren't arsed and had little incentive.

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

Couldn't handle big names? It's the biggest myth going. If not dealing with players like Danns, Beckford and Mills is 'failing to deal with big names' then yes, we really do lack ambition. Players who've spent the vast majority of their careers outside of the Premier League, if that's a 'big name' to us, then yes we are small-time.

 

They're average Championship players on lower Premier League wages. Could it be that Sven/Neville (whoever signed them, they're both at fault IMO) have over-paid for players who just aren't that good, and are given even less incentive to improve now that they're on that kind of silly money?

 

Everything about Sven's reign was a joke. Absolute utter circus where we allowed hype & money to cloud the reality. Never ever again.

     

[Dan]

     

 

Oh, I win then.

[Corky]

Couldn't handle big names? It's the biggest myth going. If not dealing with players like Danns, Beckford and Mills is 'failing to deal with big names' then yes, we really do lack ambition. Players who've spent the vast majority of their careers outside of the Premier League, if that's a 'big name' to us, then yes we are small-time.

 

They're average Championship players on lower Premier League wages. Could it be that Sven/Neville (whoever signed them, they're both at fault IMO) have over-paid for players who just aren't that good, and are given even less incentive to improve now that they're on that kind of silly money?

 

Everything about Sven's reign was a joke. Absolute utter circus where we allowed hype & money to cloud the reality. Never ever again.

 

Funny that Pearson "not being able to handle big-name players" doesn't include Konchesky and Nugent, who have cup winners medals, England caps and Europa League finals on their CVs. You know, probably the two biggest names in the squad, virtually ever present, no hint of a rift with Pearson.

 

No, these "big names" are average second tier players in Mills and Danns and also Beckford, whose had one good half season at the top level.

[Guest MattP]

Funny that Pearson "not being able to handle big-name players" doesn't include Konchesky and Nugent, who have cup winners medals, England caps and Europa League finals on their CVs. You know, probably the two biggest names in the squad, virtually ever present, no hint of a rift with Pearson.

 

No, these "big names" are average second tier players in Mills and Danns and also Beckford, whose had one good half season at the top level.

 

lol :thumbup:

 

Fantastic isn't it?

 

Neil Danns - big name lol

[Guest Bilo]

I find it really quite shocking that people STILL hanker after the days of Eriksson's big money signings, I really do.

 

This was a team that could smash Derby 4-0 one week and look outstanding, yet lose 3-0 at home to Millwall a couple of weeks later and look like relegation fodder. There was no fight in the team, team spirit was on its arse as the egos dominated the dressing room and training ground unchecked by a weak man manager and we haemorrhaged money left, right and centre.

 

I honestly think people dislike Pearson purely because of his refusal to court the media. Sven was a nice guy, he'd make cups of tea for the interviewers and be utterly charming to the fans. The problem was he was a nice, charming, lovely guy to the players as well and some of the egos took advantage. If anyone couldn't handle the big egos, it was Sven. He was too soft. However; softness, big wages, big risk and inconsistency hardly make for a good mix in the Championship.

 

Pearson will never be an Ian Holloway type manager. Nobody will ever make a 10 minute compilation of Pearson's funniest interview comments on YouTube. He'll almost certainly never have a column in a tabloid that'll make people howl with laughter. His interviews with Ian Stringer will remain awkward. Do you know what though? I don't care. I care about a young, talented team that's improving and learning how to win ugly as well as pass teams off the park because frankly, that's what you need in the Championship.

 

Sven didn't know how to win ugly. He was used to an expensively assembled Lazio team blowing away all comers. He had no experience of shit pitches at Scunthorpe, rough defenders from Barnsley and cold afternoons at Millwall. He was unable to instil the grit needed to win at these places. Pearson did it as a player, he's done it here as a manager and kept a Southampton side in this division seemingly on the verge of bankruptcy. He has grit and knows how to instil it in players.

 

The result of all this? Play-offs twice at a fraction of the budget. A penalty kick away from Wembley just a year after we were, frankly, a laughing stock. Promising young players coming through, a local lad playing his heart out at centre half and proud as punch to represent the club, another Academy product scoring his fiftieth goal for the club and celebrating his 250th appearance. We have a team that's going places that we, the fans, can actually connect with. The mercenaries are being shipped out in favour of players who love the club. Would anyone really prefer to see Matt Mills in defence rather than Liam Moore this season? Really? 

 

In short, Pearson will get the job done with a minimum of fanfare. The pre-season threads such as '40/1 on us being relegated is great value' will look stupid, primarily because they are. This club should be in the Premier League. Some of us grew up with this club in the Premier League and lament the last decade that has formed our absence from it. The side Pearson has put together, the dead wood he has shipped out and the hard work he and the players have put in deserve more respect than hankering after the days of big egos, big wages and small achievements. 

 

We have the best Leicester City team and management for a decade. Get behind them and we may just be celebrating in May.

[coolhandfox]

Who's Sven, move on people!

[indierich06]

I find it really quite shocking that people STILL hanker after the days of Eriksson's big money signings, I really do.

 

This was a team that could smash Derby 4-0 one week and look outstanding, yet lose 3-0 at home to Millwall a couple of weeks later and look like relegation fodder. There was no fight in the team, team spirit was on its arse as the egos dominated the dressing room and training ground unchecked by a weak man manager and we haemorrhaged money left, right and centre.

 

I honestly think people dislike Pearson purely because of his refusal to court the media. Sven was a nice guy, he'd make cups of tea for the interviewers and be utterly charming to the fans. The problem was he was a nice, charming, lovely guy to the players as well and some of the egos took advantage. If anyone couldn't handle the big egos, it was Sven. He was too soft. However; softness, big wages, big risk and inconsistency hardly make for a good mix in the Championship.

 

Pearson will never be an Ian Holloway type manager. Nobody will ever make a 10 minute compilation of Pearson's funniest interview comments on YouTube. He'll almost certainly never have a column in a tabloid that'll make people howl with laughter. His interviews with Ian Stringer will remain awkward. Do you know what though? I don't care. I care about a young, talented team that's improving and learning how to win ugly as well as pass teams off the park because frankly, that's what you need in the Championship.

 

Sven didn't know how to win ugly. He was used to an expensively assembled Lazio team blowing away all comers. He had no experience of shit pitches at Scunthorpe, rough defenders from Barnsley and cold afternoons at Millwall. He was unable to instil the grit needed to win at these places. Pearson did it as a player, he's done it here as a manager and kept a Southampton side in this division seemingly on the verge of bankruptcy. He has grit and knows how to instil it in players.

 

The result of all this? Play-offs twice at a fraction of the budget. A penalty kick away from Wembley just a year after we were, frankly, a laughing stock. Promising young players coming through, a local lad playing his heart out at centre half and proud as punch to represent the club, another Academy product scoring his fiftieth goal for the club and celebrating his 250th appearance. We have a team that's going places that we, the fans, can actually connect with. The mercenaries are being shipped out in favour of players who love the club. Would anyone really prefer to see Matt Mills in defence rather than Liam Moore this season? Really? 

 

In short, Pearson will get the job done with a minimum of fanfare. The pre-season threads such as '40/1 on us being relegated is great value' will look stupid, primarily because they are. This club should be in the Premier League. Some of us grew up with this club in the Premier League and lament the last decade that has formed our absence from it. The side Pearson has put together, the dead wood he has shipped out and the hard work he and the players have put in deserve more respect than hankering after the days of big egos, big wages and small achievements. 

 

We have the best Leicester City team and management for a decade. Get behind them and we may just be celebrating in May.

 

Great post, absolutely spot on.

[Guest Col city fan]

I find it really quite shocking that people STILL hanker after the days of Eriksson's big money signings, I really do.

This was a team that could smash Derby 4-0 one week and look outstanding, yet lose 3-0 at home to Millwall a couple of weeks later and look like relegation fodder. There was no fight in the team, team spirit was on its arse as the egos dominated the dressing room and training ground unchecked by a weak man manager and we haemorrhaged money left, right and centre.

I honestly think people dislike Pearson purely because of his refusal to court the media. Sven was a nice guy, he'd make cups of tea for the interviewers and be utterly charming to the fans. The problem was he was a nice, charming, lovely guy to the players as well and some of the egos took advantage. If anyone couldn't handle the big egos, it was Sven. He was too soft. However; softness, big wages, big risk and inconsistency hardly make for a good mix in the Championship.

Pearson will never be an Ian Holloway type manager. Nobody will ever make a 10 minute compilation of Pearson's funniest interview comments on YouTube. He'll almost certainly never have a column in a tabloid that'll make people howl with laughter. His interviews with Ian Stringer will remain awkward. Do you know what though? I don't care. I care about a young, talented team that's improving and learning how to win ugly as well as pass teams off the park because frankly, that's what you need in the Championship.

Sven didn't know how to win ugly. He was used to an expensively assembled Lazio team blowing away all comers. He had no experience of shit pitches at Scunthorpe, rough defenders from Barnsley and cold afternoons at Millwall. He was unable to instil the grit needed to win at these places. Pearson did it as a player, he's done it here as a manager and kept a Southampton side in this division seemingly on the verge of bankruptcy. He has grit and knows how to instil it in players.

The result of all this? Play-offs twice at a fraction of the budget. A penalty kick away from Wembley just a year after we were, frankly, a laughing stock. Promising young players coming through, a local lad playing his heart out at centre half and proud as punch to represent the club, another Academy product scoring his fiftieth goal for the club and celebrating his 250th appearance. We have a team that's going places that we, the fans, can actually connect with. The mercenaries are being shipped out in favour of players who love the club. Would anyone really prefer to see Matt Mills in defence rather than Liam Moore this season? Really?

In short, Pearson will get the job done with a minimum of fanfare. The pre-season threads such as '40/1 on us being relegated is great value' will look stupid, primarily because they are. This club should be in the Premier League. Some of us grew up with this club in the Premier League and lament the last decade that has formed our absence from it. The side Pearson has put together, the dead wood he has shipped out and the hard work he and the players have put in deserve more respect than hankering after the days of big egos, big wages and small achievements.

We have the best Leicester City team and management for a decade. Get behind them and we may just be celebrating in May.

One of the best posts I've read in ages...

[Captain...]

I find it really quite shocking that people STILL hanker after the days of Eriksson's big money signings, I really do.

This was a team that could smash Derby 4-0 one week and look outstanding, yet lose 3-0 at home to Millwall a couple of weeks later and look like relegation fodder. There was no fight in the team, team spirit was on its arse as the egos dominated the dressing room and training ground unchecked by a weak man manager and we haemorrhaged money left, right and centre.

I honestly think people dislike Pearson purely because of his refusal to court the media. Sven was a nice guy, he'd make cups of tea for the interviewers and be utterly charming to the fans. The problem was he was a nice, charming, lovely guy to the players as well and some of the egos took advantage. If anyone couldn't handle the big egos, it was Sven. He was too soft. However; softness, big wages, big risk and inconsistency hardly make for a good mix in the Championship.

Pearson will never be an Ian Holloway type manager. Nobody will ever make a 10 minute compilation of Pearson's funniest interview comments on YouTube. He'll almost certainly never have a column in a tabloid that'll make people howl with laughter. His interviews with Ian Stringer will remain awkward. Do you know what though? I don't care. I care about a young, talented team that's improving and learning how to win ugly as well as pass teams off the park because frankly, that's what you need in the Championship.

Sven didn't know how to win ugly. He was used to an expensively assembled Lazio team blowing away all comers. He had no experience of shit pitches at Scunthorpe, rough defenders from Barnsley and cold afternoons at Millwall. He was unable to instil the grit needed to win at these places. Pearson did it as a player, he's done it here as a manager and kept a Southampton side in this division seemingly on the verge of bankruptcy. He has grit and knows how to instil it in players.

The result of all this? Play-offs twice at a fraction of the budget. A penalty kick away from Wembley just a year after we were, frankly, a laughing stock. Promising young players coming through, a local lad playing his heart out at centre half and proud as punch to represent the club, another Academy product scoring his fiftieth goal for the club and celebrating his 250th appearance. We have a team that's going places that we, the fans, can actually connect with. The mercenaries are being shipped out in favour of players who love the club. Would anyone really prefer to see Matt Mills in defence rather than Liam Moore this season? Really?

In short, Pearson will get the job done with a minimum of fanfare. The pre-season threads such as '40/1 on us being relegated is great value' will look stupid, primarily because they are. This club should be in the Premier League. Some of us grew up with this club in the Premier League and lament the last decade that has formed our absence from it. The side Pearson has put together, the dead wood he has shipped out and the hard work he and the players have put in deserve more respect than hankering after the days of big egos, big wages and small achievements.

We have the best Leicester City team and management for a decade. Get behind them and we may just be celebrating in May.

As I can't plus one you on my phone I will join in the sycophancy. Spot on that, absolutely spot on.

[Simmo86]

I find it really quite shocking that people STILL hanker after the days of Eriksson's big money signings, I really do.

This was a team that could smash Derby 4-0 one week and look outstanding, yet lose 3-0 at home to Millwall a couple of weeks later and look like relegation fodder. There was no fight in the team, team spirit was on its arse as the egos dominated the dressing room and training ground unchecked by a weak man manager and we haemorrhaged money left, right and centre.

I honestly think people dislike Pearson purely because of his refusal to court the media. Sven was a nice guy, he'd make cups of tea for the interviewers and be utterly charming to the fans. The problem was he was a nice, charming, lovely guy to the players as well and some of the egos took advantage. If anyone couldn't handle the big egos, it was Sven. He was too soft. However; softness, big wages, big risk and inconsistency hardly make for a good mix in the Championship.

Pearson will never be an Ian Holloway type manager. Nobody will ever make a 10 minute compilation of Pearson's funniest interview comments on YouTube. He'll almost certainly never have a column in a tabloid that'll make people howl with laughter. His interviews with Ian Stringer will remain awkward. Do you know what though? I don't care. I care about a young, talented team that's improving and learning how to win ugly as well as pass teams off the park because frankly, that's what you need in the Championship.

Sven didn't know how to win ugly. He was used to an expensively assembled Lazio team blowing away all comers. He had no experience of shit pitches at Scunthorpe, rough defenders from Barnsley and cold afternoons at Millwall. He was unable to instil the grit needed to win at these places. Pearson did it as a player, he's done it here as a manager and kept a Southampton side in this division seemingly on the verge of bankruptcy. He has grit and knows how to instil it in players.

The result of all this? Play-offs twice at a fraction of the budget. A penalty kick away from Wembley just a year after we were, frankly, a laughing stock. Promising young players coming through, a local lad playing his heart out at centre half and proud as punch to represent the club, another Academy product scoring his fiftieth goal for the club and celebrating his 250th appearance. We have a team that's going places that we, the fans, can actually connect with. The mercenaries are being shipped out in favour of players who love the club. Would anyone really prefer to see Matt Mills in defence rather than Liam Moore this season? Really?

In short, Pearson will get the job done with a minimum of fanfare. The pre-season threads such as '40/1 on us being relegated is great value' will look stupid, primarily because they are. This club should be in the Premier League. Some of us grew up with this club in the Premier League and lament the last decade that has formed our absence from it. The side Pearson has put together, the dead wood he has shipped out and the hard work he and the players have put in deserve more respect than hankering after the days of big egos, big wages and small achievements.

We have the best Leicester City team and management for a decade. Get behind them and we may just be celebrating in May.

Best thing I've read all year.

Hats off

[MattyFromLE]

I find it really quite shocking that people STILL hanker after the days of Eriksson's big money signings, I really do.

 

This was a team that could smash Derby 4-0 one week and look outstanding, yet lose 3-0 at home to Millwall a couple of weeks later and look like relegation fodder. There was no fight in the team, team spirit was on its arse as the egos dominated the dressing room and training ground unchecked by a weak man manager and we haemorrhaged money left, right and centre.

 

I honestly think people dislike Pearson purely because of his refusal to court the media. Sven was a nice guy, he'd make cups of tea for the interviewers and be utterly charming to the fans. The problem was he was a nice, charming, lovely guy to the players as well and some of the egos took advantage. If anyone couldn't handle the big egos, it was Sven. He was too soft. However; softness, big wages, big risk and inconsistency hardly make for a good mix in the Championship.

 

Pearson will never be an Ian Holloway type manager. Nobody will ever make a 10 minute compilation of Pearson's funniest interview comments on YouTube. He'll almost certainly never have a column in a tabloid that'll make people howl with laughter. His interviews with Ian Stringer will remain awkward. Do you know what though? I don't care. I care about a young, talented team that's improving and learning how to win ugly as well as pass teams off the park because frankly, that's what you need in the Championship.

 

Sven didn't know how to win ugly. He was used to an expensively assembled Lazio team blowing away all comers. He had no experience of shit pitches at Scunthorpe, rough defenders from Barnsley and cold afternoons at Millwall. He was unable to instil the grit needed to win at these places. Pearson did it as a player, he's done it here as a manager and kept a Southampton side in this division seemingly on the verge of bankruptcy. He has grit and knows how to instil it in players.

 

The result of all this? Play-offs twice at a fraction of the budget. A penalty kick away from Wembley just a year after we were, frankly, a laughing stock. Promising young players coming through, a local lad playing his heart out at centre half and proud as punch to represent the club, another Academy product scoring his fiftieth goal for the club and celebrating his 250th appearance. We have a team that's going places that we, the fans, can actually connect with. The mercenaries are being shipped out in favour of players who love the club. Would anyone really prefer to see Matt Mills in defence rather than Liam Moore this season? Really? 

 

In short, Pearson will get the job done with a minimum of fanfare. The pre-season threads such as '40/1 on us being relegated is great value' will look stupid, primarily because they are. This club should be in the Premier League. Some of us grew up with this club in the Premier League and lament the last decade that has formed our absence from it. The side Pearson has put together, the dead wood he has shipped out and the hard work he and the players have put in deserve more respect than hankering after the days of big egos, big wages and small achievements. 

 

We have the best Leicester City team and management for a decade. Get behind them and we may just be celebrating in May.

 

What an incredible post. Spot on fella!

[James.]

Bilo bums Pearson

[hackneyfox]

We didn't show much grit in the last 17 games of last season and we've yet to pass a team off the park this season (cup games don't count  )

 

Can't knock the results so far though, I'm just hoping it continues on Saturday for my first game of the season.

 

I do think you've got Sven bang to rights though.

[Dan]

I find it really quite shocking that people STILL hanker after the days of Eriksson's big money signings, I really do.

 

This was a team that could smash Derby 4-0 one week and look outstanding, yet lose 3-0 at home to Millwall a couple of weeks later and look like relegation fodder. There was no fight in the team, team spirit was on its arse as the egos dominated the dressing room and training ground unchecked by a weak man manager and we haemorrhaged money left, right and centre.

 

I honestly think people dislike Pearson purely because of his refusal to court the media. Sven was a nice guy, he'd make cups of tea for the interviewers and be utterly charming to the fans. The problem was he was a nice, charming, lovely guy to the players as well and some of the egos took advantage. If anyone couldn't handle the big egos, it was Sven. He was too soft. However; softness, big wages, big risk and inconsistency hardly make for a good mix in the Championship.

 

Pearson will never be an Ian Holloway type manager. Nobody will ever make a 10 minute compilation of Pearson's funniest interview comments on YouTube. He'll almost certainly never have a column in a tabloid that'll make people howl with laughter. His interviews with Ian Stringer will remain awkward. Do you know what though? I don't care. I care about a young, talented team that's improving and learning how to win ugly as well as pass teams off the park because frankly, that's what you need in the Championship.

 

Sven didn't know how to win ugly. He was used to an expensively assembled Lazio team blowing away all comers. He had no experience of shit pitches at Scunthorpe, rough defenders from Barnsley and cold afternoons at Millwall. He was unable to instil the grit needed to win at these places. Pearson did it as a player, he's done it here as a manager and kept a Southampton side in this division seemingly on the verge of bankruptcy. He has grit and knows how to instil it in players.

 

The result of all this? Play-offs twice at a fraction of the budget. A penalty kick away from Wembley just a year after we were, frankly, a laughing stock. Promising young players coming through, a local lad playing his heart out at centre half and proud as punch to represent the club, another Academy product scoring his fiftieth goal for the club and celebrating his 250th appearance. We have a team that's going places that we, the fans, can actually connect with. The mercenaries are being shipped out in favour of players who love the club. Would anyone really prefer to see Matt Mills in defence rather than Liam Moore this season? Really? 

 

In short, Pearson will get the job done with a minimum of fanfare. The pre-season threads such as '40/1 on us being relegated is great value' will look stupid, primarily because they are. This club should be in the Premier League. Some of us grew up with this club in the Premier League and lament the last decade that has formed our absence from it. The side Pearson has put together, the dead wood he has shipped out and the hard work he and the players have put in deserve more respect than hankering after the days of big egos, big wages and small achievements. 

 

We have the best Leicester City team and management for a decade. Get behind them and we may just be celebrating in May.

 

Drink heads your way next time I see you.

[Happy Fox]

Dubious about NP getting the job done remains to be seen, if we get automatic promotion this season then yes I agree.

[Corky]

I find it really quite shocking that people STILL hanker after the days of Eriksson's big money signings, I really do.

 

This was a team that could smash Derby 4-0 one week and look outstanding, yet lose 3-0 at home to Millwall a couple of weeks later and look like relegation fodder. There was no fight in the team, team spirit was on its arse as the egos dominated the dressing room and training ground unchecked by a weak man manager and we haemorrhaged money left, right and centre.

 

I honestly think people dislike Pearson purely because of his refusal to court the media. Sven was a nice guy, he'd make cups of tea for the interviewers and be utterly charming to the fans. The problem was he was a nice, charming, lovely guy to the players as well and some of the egos took advantage. If anyone couldn't handle the big egos, it was Sven. He was too soft. However; softness, big wages, big risk and inconsistency hardly make for a good mix in the Championship.

 

Pearson will never be an Ian Holloway type manager. Nobody will ever make a 10 minute compilation of Pearson's funniest interview comments on YouTube. He'll almost certainly never have a column in a tabloid that'll make people howl with laughter. His interviews with Ian Stringer will remain awkward. Do you know what though? I don't care. I care about a young, talented team that's improving and learning how to win ugly as well as pass teams off the park because frankly, that's what you need in the Championship.

 

Sven didn't know how to win ugly. He was used to an expensively assembled Lazio team blowing away all comers. He had no experience of shit pitches at Scunthorpe, rough defenders from Barnsley and cold afternoons at Millwall. He was unable to instil the grit needed to win at these places. Pearson did it as a player, he's done it here as a manager and kept a Southampton side in this division seemingly on the verge of bankruptcy. He has grit and knows how to instil it in players.

 

The result of all this? Play-offs twice at a fraction of the budget. A penalty kick away from Wembley just a year after we were, frankly, a laughing stock. Promising young players coming through, a local lad playing his heart out at centre half and proud as punch to represent the club, another Academy product scoring his fiftieth goal for the club and celebrating his 250th appearance. We have a team that's going places that we, the fans, can actually connect with. The mercenaries are being shipped out in favour of players who love the club. Would anyone really prefer to see Matt Mills in defence rather than Liam Moore this season? Really? 

 

In short, Pearson will get the job done with a minimum of fanfare. The pre-season threads such as '40/1 on us being relegated is great value' will look stupid, primarily because they are. This club should be in the Premier League. Some of us grew up with this club in the Premier League and lament the last decade that has formed our absence from it. The side Pearson has put together, the dead wood he has shipped out and the hard work he and the players have put in deserve more respect than hankering after the days of big egos, big wages and small achievements. 

 

We have the best Leicester City team and management for a decade. Get behind them and we may just be celebrating in May.

 

Finest piece of text since Aesop.

[Fox92]

The only time we have been close to promotion back to the Premier League is when Nigel Pearson has been manager. How is that hard to understand? He's the best manager since Micky Adams, and that's a fact, regardless of opinion.

 

I wish these threads would move on now. Sven destroyed the club financially, and that is having an impact on how many players / which players, Nigel Pearson can bring in. Then the same people moan 'we have not singed anybody'. I don't think Pearson can win at times.

 

I don't care who 'signed the deals', Sven was manager at the time and it's his responsibilty as far as I'm concerned. Not only that, I still wonder why he signed all those midfielders and not bringing a single wide player in, and why were Fryatt and Hobbs sold for such as ridiculous low price!? 

 

Nigel will never be like Sven, thankfully. He'll never be seen as 'nice'. That is not a problem for me, because that is not an attribute required to be a manager, and I can provide great examples with that (Alex Ferguson, Brian Clough etc - not nice but two of the greatest football managers ever).

[Guest Col city fan]

The only time we have been close to promotion back to the Premier League is when Nigel Pearson has been manager. How is that hard to understand? He's the best manager since Micky Adams, and that's a fact, regardless of opinion.

I wish these threads would move on now. Sven destroyed the club financially, and that is having an impact on how many players / which players, Nigel Pearson can bring in. Then the same people moan 'we have not singed anybody'. I don't think Pearson can win at times.

I don't care who 'signed the deals', Sven was manager at the time and it's his responsibilty as far as I'm concerned. Not only that, I still wonder why he signed all those midfielders and not bringing a single wide player in, and why were Fryatt and Hobbs sold for such as ridiculous low price!?

Nigel will never be like Sven, thankfully. He'll never be seen as 'nice'. That is not a problem for me, because that is not an attribute required to be a manager, and I can provide great examples with that (Alex Ferguson, Brian Clough etc - not nice but two of the greatest football managers ever).

Another good post buddy...

Time to forget Sven

[hackneyfox]

Dubious about NP getting the job done remains to be seen, if we get automatic promotion this season then yes I agree.

Spot on, there was an assumption that NFP has achieved more than Sven and yet we're still rotting in this division.

[cjslcfc]

Hate how it always turns into a Sven vs Pearson debate. There's no debate to be had whatsoever. Pearson is a far more suitable manager for this league and our current situation. Better, maybe not. However, for Leicester Pearson has been and is a much better manager.

 

Also to absolve Sven of any blame for the vast sums wasted during his tenure is far from the mark! Sure, he didn't sign the cheques, but he drew up the list of targets. He knew these targets wouldn't have been cheap and would have demanded high wages. Not only this but he extended contracts of current players who will now be paid much more than they had been originally on. He left us with a massively overpaid and unbalanced squad and our current situation of having to cut the wage bill and not being able to improve the squad is primarily down to him.

 

Yes, it was nice to have the media spotlight for a while and I'm sure most thought exciting times were coming to the KP. Yet, ironically the "most exciting period for a while" has left some of us being rather pessimistic and underwhelmed about the current regime where we arguably have a better squad, manager and better overall team than we have had in a long time.

 

May it continue...

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

Oh, I win then.

Err, win what? Oh yes, daft posts, Sure pal, you win by a mile. 

[Guest]

Dubious about NP getting the job done remains to be seen, if we get automatic promotion this season then yes I agree.

If he gets us promoted you'll agree he'll have got us promoted? Can't fault the logic

[funkyrobot]

I find it really quite shocking that people STILL hanker after the days of Eriksson's big money signings, I really do.

This was a team that could smash Derby 4-0 one week and look outstanding, yet lose 3-0 at home to Millwall a couple of weeks later and look like relegation fodder. There was no fight in the team, team spirit was on its arse as the egos dominated the dressing room and training ground unchecked by a weak man manager and we haemorrhaged money left, right and centre.

I honestly think people dislike Pearson purely because of his refusal to court the media. Sven was a nice guy, he'd make cups of tea for the interviewers and be utterly charming to the fans. The problem was he was a nice, charming, lovely guy to the players as well and some of the egos took advantage. If anyone couldn't handle the big egos, it was Sven. He was too soft. However; softness, big wages, big risk and inconsistency hardly make for a good mix in the Championship.

Pearson will never be an Ian Holloway type manager. Nobody will ever make a 10 minute compilation of Pearson's funniest interview comments on YouTube. He'll almost certainly never have a column in a tabloid that'll make people howl with laughter. His interviews with Ian Stringer will remain awkward. Do you know what though? I don't care. I care about a young, talented team that's improving and learning how to win ugly as well as pass teams off the park because frankly, that's what you need in the Championship.

Sven didn't know how to win ugly. He was used to an expensively assembled Lazio team blowing away all comers. He had no experience of shit pitches at Scunthorpe, rough defenders from Barnsley and cold afternoons at Millwall. He was unable to instil the grit needed to win at these places. Pearson did it as a player, he's done it here as a manager and kept a Southampton side in this division seemingly on the verge of bankruptcy. He has grit and knows how to instil it in players.

The result of all this? Play-offs twice at a fraction of the budget. A penalty kick away from Wembley just a year after we were, frankly, a laughing stock. Promising young players coming through, a local lad playing his heart out at centre half and proud as punch to represent the club, another Academy product scoring his fiftieth goal for the club and celebrating his 250th appearance. We have a team that's going places that we, the fans, can actually connect with. The mercenaries are being shipped out in favour of players who love the club. Would anyone really prefer to see Matt Mills in defence rather than Liam Moore this season? Really?

In short, Pearson will get the job done with a minimum of fanfare. The pre-season threads such as '40/1 on us being relegated is great value' will look stupid, primarily because they are. This club should be in the Premier League. Some of us grew up with this club in the Premier League and lament the last decade that has formed our absence from it. The side Pearson has put together, the dead wood he has shipped out and the hard work he and the players have put in deserve more respect than hankering after the days of big egos, big wages and small achievements.

We have the best Leicester City team and management for a decade. Get behind them and we may just be celebrating in May.

Top post!

[Leicester_Numan]

As I can't plus one you on my phone I will join in the sycophancy. Spot on that, absolutely spot on.

You've got the same problem as me then, annoying isn't it?

I would have given it a +1 as well