MC Prussian Posted 22 January 2015 Posted 22 January 2015 You say that we can't judge a manager until years after his reign but the sorts of judgements that his employers need to make can't wait that long. And we can see from our current position that the only transfer dealings which really matter at the moment - namely the ones that should have seen us progress from a second tier club to a top tier club - did not achieve the desired effect. The problem is, therefore, that key areas which needed to be strengthened haven't been and, as a consequence, we're bottom and three points adrift, and coming up to a miserable-looking six-game run of matches. It's right that Pearson is questioned, that our summer dealings are queried, and there's no doubt that he has to become a much better manager and fast if we're to stay up. In the context of this, people might look for other clues, might consider whether his behaviour is what you'd expect of a PL manager. How many managers have you seen telling a fan to '**** off and die', regardless of the provocation; or stop speaking to a local radio station because he's fed up of being asked whether his job is at risk? I'm willing to overlook both - I wasn't offended by the fan incident, and I don't think I could put up with Stringer either - but even if we can sympathise with him, it's not typical behaviour for a manager at this level. So I'm not surprised to see fans wondering whether his attitude towards them is a particularly positive one. He talks a lot about negativity but I can't help but wonder whether he's been at the heart of it, at times. It's hard not to when you see limp-wristed, defensive-minded displays in which we make no meaningful attempt to win the game - as against Stoke, or Palace, or Newcastle, or Swansea... He'll defend players who consistently let him down and keep picking them in spite of it costing us points, but he'll criticise and drop his best performer on multiple occasions. He'll appeal to fans and media for positivity, then yell '**** off and die' and stop speaking to them. He has been criticised for lashing out at Burnley, and his own fans, but there's little evidence of him facing up to his own team's shortcomings. And, it's worth remembering, we are bottom of the table. Somebody, preferably Pearson, needs to realise that something is wrong, if only to give us a chance of fixing it. The transfer dealings as of yet have not had the desired effect up to date - that doesn't mean they won't have a positive influence in the months to come (or beyond that). Fans' expectations as to how fast players integrate and reality are still two worlds that cannot be united. Again, we can only speculate as to why it took us so long to add more quality players to the squad last summer and it is open to discussion whether Pearson had a major say in it when it came to the final stage of signings when Robinson was still around. Plus, January's still going on for another ten days, so we might see some more movement in that area. You say you're not offended by Pearson's verbal retribution - yet you spend the rest of your post talking about it. Something's clearly not right here. As for dropping "his best players" repeatedly, it depends on what you consider to be "his best players" - he knows the team better than anybody, so there's usually a good reason why players are benched - be it down to system/tactics changes, injuries, knocks or suspensions or internal measures. It's also worth mentioning we're bottom of the table and in touching distance of the safety zone.
Spanner73 Posted 22 January 2015 Posted 22 January 2015 i don't expect the guy to panic at our current situation but there doesn't seem to be any concern at all for our position all , any time you see him either in interviews he just seems to be aloof with a huge smirk on his Face , it's not exactly funny , half of leicester can't understand his poor tactics and personnel choices ie last weekend he has like I said 11 days to being in At least 3 quality players which he will fail to do but I guess the excuse will be that will be either because it's a difficult window to operate in , well yes nigel it is that why we told you in the summer to buy and you said we have all our targets plus you can't expect them to play for peanuts every week and you may have to offer more money that you would like to else you won't get them !! I rest my case the mans out of here as soon as May is over get rid and get someone else and we'll try To come back stronger with someone at the helm who knows what he needs at premier league level
Guest Col city fan Posted 22 January 2015 Posted 22 January 2015 Is anyone seriously believing that Nigel Pearson has been more succesful and a better manager for us than MON? lol The bulk of O'Neil's sides would put this current lot to shame. I suggest anyone believing this wasn't a fan of the club during the O'Neil reign.
Babylon Posted 22 January 2015 Posted 22 January 2015 but even if we can sympathise with him, it's not typical behaviour for a manager at this level. Not speaking to certain portions of local or even national media is actually pretty common. Newcastle broke all contact with local media, Ferguson didn't talk to the BBC for years. I also think it's a bit more than him getting fed up with being asked certain questions. The cut throat gesture that Geoff Peters has talked about is ridiculous and it's hardly a surprise that he refuses to speak to that "reporter" any more.
Corky Posted 22 January 2015 Posted 22 January 2015 ADK didn't say that Pearson was better than O'Neill, but there was no difference in their first season as manager in the First Division. Both finished fifth, O'Neill had a poor time with us until April then managed to get us up and the rest is history and fantastic at that. O'Neill won the play-offs, Pearson didn't. O'Neill had (then added to) a much better squad and starting point however.
Dr The Singh Posted 22 January 2015 Posted 22 January 2015 ADK didn't say that Pearson was better than O'Neill, but there was no difference in their first season as manager in the First Division. Both finished fifth, O'Neill had a poor time with us until April then managed to get us up and the rest is history and fantastic at that. O'Neill won the play-offs, Pearson didn't. O'Neill had (then added to) a much better squad and starting point however. Comparing Pearson to MON is just nuts. Different era, different time. The biggest difference is that when MON got criticised by fans he took it on the chin at the time and proved them wrong, showed character, which is what a man should do, Pearson on the other hand resorted to vulgarities, and stopped so low to tell someone to die, which shows the time of man he really is, a low character and moral person!!
Manwell Pablo Posted 22 January 2015 Posted 22 January 2015 Not speaking to certain portions of local or even national media is actually pretty common. Newcastle broke all contact with local media, Ferguson didn't talk to the BBC for years. I also think it's a bit more than him getting fed up with being asked certain questions. The cut throat gesture that Geoff Peters has talked about is ridiculous and it's hardly a surprise that he refuses to speak to that "reporter" any more. Did Stringer do that What a little weasel.
filbertway Posted 22 January 2015 Posted 22 January 2015 Comparing Pearson to MON is just nuts. Different era, different time. The biggest difference is that when MON got criticised by fans he took it on the chin at the time and proved them wrong, showed character, which is what a man should do, Pearson on the other hand resorted to vulgarities, and stopped so low to tell someone to die, which shows the time of man he really is, a low character and moral person!! As you say, different times. I wouldn't bet against O'Neill having done something similar in the past, it just so happened that every idiot didn't have a camera then.
Dr The Singh Posted 22 January 2015 Posted 22 January 2015 As you say, different times. I wouldn't bet against O'Neill having done something similar in the past, it just so happened that every idiot didn't have a camera then. I disagree, if MON, went and had a rant as similar of Pearson, in front of a whole stand of fans, it would be extremely difficult for it not to have reached the general public. The media was still around, people still reported/phone in on radio's and MON is not the type of person to keep his mouth shut about anything!!
Dan Posted 22 January 2015 Posted 22 January 2015 Stringer is an absolute sensationalist prat who is rightly avoided by Pearson. Just look at what Henry Winter gets out of the bloke and tell me the problem is Pearson rather than Stringer.
Clever Fox Posted 22 January 2015 Posted 22 January 2015 I admire what Mon did for us but Mon was a Motivator in the Clough mould. The real brains was Robertson a bit like Taylor also with Clough. Mon was only interested in the first team and didn't take training or coaching leaving it to Robertson and others. Pearson on the other hand has built us up as a proper club , from the bottom up. Aside from his management style and performance he's a well respected Coach. He clearly has all of the club and players believing in the path we're on. Progress is still progress no matter how slow. He has been caught out by the difference between the CH and the Premiership which has surprised a lot of us. This is the one area Mon excelled at. He new what to expect. But should Pearson be pilloried for it, I don't think so as I'm sure he'll never make that mistake again. The important thing is we're in a better place now as a club than we were back then. Maybe not where wee'd like to be, but a better place non the less. People won't stop trying to compare them but it's futile it's like comparing apples and oranges.
Salieri Posted 22 January 2015 Posted 22 January 2015 I admire what Mon did for us but Mon was a Motivator in the Clough mould. The real brains was Robertson a bit like Taylor also with Clough. Mon was only interested in the first team and didn't take training or coaching leaving it to Robertson and others. Pearson on the other hand has built us up as a proper club , from the bottom up. Aside from his management style and performance he's a well respected Coach. He clearly has all of the club and players believing in the path we're on. Progress is still progress no matter how slow. He has been caught out by the difference between the CH and the Premiership which has surprised a lot of us. This is the one area Mon excelled at. He new what to expect. But should Pearson be pilloried for it, I don't think so as I'm sure he'll never make that mistake again. The important thing is we're in a better place now as a club than we were back then. Maybe not where wee'd like to be, but a better place non the less. People won't stop trying to compare them but it's futile it's like comparing apples and oranges. I prefer apples, personally.
Jacnah Posted 22 January 2015 Posted 22 January 2015 Also, MON was equally as stubborn as Nige and would certainly hold a grudge. He just could let the fact that he got criticism during the start of his tenure lie.................ever.......he was though, bloody fantastic!! As others have also said I dont think its a fair comparison however; they were and are different times
Grewks Posted 22 January 2015 Posted 22 January 2015 Is anyone seriously believing that Nigel Pearson has been more succesful and a better manager for us than MON? lol The bulk of O'Neil's sides would put this current lot to shame. I suggest anyone believing this wasn't a fan of the club during the O'Neil reign. But doesn't that prove it to an extent? O'Neill certainly took us to our greatest heights during his reign, there is no doubting that. But the extent of the growth of the club, from when pearson first took over in league 1 until now is far larger in my opinion.
Guest Col city fan Posted 22 January 2015 Posted 22 January 2015 But doesn't that prove it to an extent? O'Neill certainly took us to our greatest heights during his reign, there is no doubting that. But the extent of the growth of the club, from when pearson first took over in league 1 until now is far larger in my opinion. Are you comparing a league and Championship title with successive top ten finishes in the top flight and two league cups?With bringing through Emile Heskey and making him into an England International? And with signing Lennon, Elliott and Izzett for peanuts and enabling them to become three of the best players in the clubs recent history. Are you REALLY saying this? Note to self: do you what you said you'd do and come on here less often in order to save your own sanity.
DANGEROUS TIGER Posted 22 January 2015 Posted 22 January 2015 MON got us promotion in his first season and won the league cup in his second, without ever being in the bottom 3. He was far more successful than Pearson. That's a fact.
Guest Bob Hazels shorts Posted 22 January 2015 Posted 22 January 2015 I disagree, if MON, went and had a rant as similar of Pearson, in front of a whole stand of fans, it would be extremely difficult for it not to have reached the general public. The media was still around, people still reported/phone in on radio's and MON is not the type of person to keep his mouth shut about anything!! I sat a couple of seats away from the dug out for all MON years. Countless times he kicked off at the fans close by. Never vicious though. He never instructed anyone to end their life.
Soar Fox Posted 22 January 2015 Posted 22 January 2015 But doesn't that prove it to an extent? O'Neill certainly took us to our greatest heights during his reign, there is no doubting that. But the extent of the growth of the club, from when pearson first took over in league 1 until now is far larger in my opinion. Martin O'Neil grew us into a solid top 10 premiership team regularly challenging for silverware and getting us into Europe. Now your not telling me that's less impressive than 2 lower tier championship titles??
Clever Fox Posted 22 January 2015 Posted 22 January 2015 But doesn't that prove it to an extent? O'Neill certainly took us to our greatest heights during his reign, there is no doubting that. But the extent of the growth of the club, from when pearson first took over in league 1 until now is far larger in my opinion. I'm with you on this one. The point I was making earlier was that Robertson was the real brains of the Duo. This point has been proved by Mons performance since Robertson was forced to retire for health reasons. He done nothing at Villa and less at Sunderland. Spending a shed load of money in the process. Leaving both clubs struggling since. We're lucky he didn't come back here as many wanted. Keep the faith.
DANGEROUS TIGER Posted 22 January 2015 Posted 22 January 2015 Comparing Pearson to MON is just nuts. Different era, different time. The biggest difference is that when MON got criticised by fans he took it on the chin at the time and proved them wrong, showed character, which is what a man should do, Pearson on the other hand resorted to vulgarities, and stopped so low to tell someone to die, which shows the time of man he really is, a low character and moral person!! That retort to the fan, showed up the type of manager he is, but maybe not the man he is, in his private life. He truly exposed himself in a dreadful light, when he made the comment he did. Just not acceptable under any circumstances.
Guest Col city fan Posted 22 January 2015 Posted 22 January 2015 I'm with you on this one. The point I was making earlier was that Robertson was the real brains of the Duo. This point has been proved by Mons performance since Robertson was forced to retire for health reasons. He done nothing at Villa and less at Sunderland. Spending a shed load of money in the process. Leaving both clubs struggling since. We're lucky he didn't come back here as many wanted. Keep the faith. Like any successful management team, it's the combined effort that works. O'Neil probably couldn't have worked with Robertson and vice-versa. That doesn't mean that Martin O'Neill (and his back room staff) weren't the most successful the club has ever had. And look where Villa have gone to since O'Neill left... Rapidly downhill.When Nigel Pearson and his back room team have ANYWHERE NEAR emulated the successes of O'Neill and his, I'll consider it. Until then, this squad of players is not a patch on the squad we had under Martin. The comparison actually, is quite laughable at present.
The Horse's Mouth Posted 22 January 2015 Posted 22 January 2015 I don't understand how you can even compare them considering how much has changed within the time frame. Both did completely different jobs anyway, Pearson basically repaired us after a string of woeful years whereas MON elevated us from being a glorified yoyo club.
Dan Posted 22 January 2015 Posted 22 January 2015 This faux outrage over Pearson's comments really does make my skin crawl.
Guest Col city fan Posted 22 January 2015 Posted 22 January 2015 I never get the argument that 'so much has changed'? Yes it has, but it's all relative. Leicester under O'Neill were never a big and wealthy club. We played at Filbert St..one of the smallest grounds in the division. Our home attendances, though nearly always full, were also one of the smaller attendances in the division. We didn't spend a massive amount...vis a vis the 'big clubs' back then. What we DID do was to spot players featuring at a lower level (Matty Elliott for example, was playing at Oxford) and somehow turn them into world-beaters, at times. We also signed some ageing players, well past their prime and gave them a new lease of life. Ian Marshall and Cottee being good examples. We had Steve Guppy playing out of his skin and signed one or two overseas lads, including Pontus Kaamark who was an exceptional full back. We took 'mediocrity' gave them a task, pinned down a formation and made a TEAM of players many of whom punched above their weight for years. Unless I'm wrong, Nigel Pearson has now spent 17 million pounds on TWO players. That's not an insignificant sum at any level of football. And, at present, we are bottom with quite a few in our squad not having made anywhere near the step-up (yet) that we had hoped for. As I said, at present, absolutely no comparison.
MC Prussian Posted 22 January 2015 Posted 22 January 2015 This faux outrage over Pearson's comments really does make my skin crawl. It feels more far-fetched the more time passes by - clinging on to one particular sentence in order to justify your dislike for one person truly shows how little the whole argumentation against the manager is thought through. This isn't about the manager as a professional, it's entirely personal. Always has been, always will be. But desperate times require desperate measures, so they say.
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