2 regular tiresome myths that are continually trotted out about Hull City which some would believe now as fact. 1) we got relegated from the Prem because of THAT team talk at Man City on Boxing Day. NO we didn't .... Marlon Kings departure and Browny losing his cavalier approach in formations / tactics are at least 2 more significant reasons why (and you'll no doubt have others) 2) Nigel Pearson is dull. No he isn't. This myth has gathered momentum because of his responses to inane questions from Blunderside reporters. Does anyone (Liverpool fans and press, but exclude ManUtd fans) say the same about Kenny Dalglish for example after his monotone often monosyllabic and tetchy interviews on MoTD? NP is a strong dignified and respected leader. Succesful as a footballer and football manager. Tactically astute. Purveyor of a team playing very clever and attractive football currently.
I agree with a lot of what you have said there, and I like Nigel Pearson's honesty, integrity, downtoearthness and his ability to make players love him (whatever he does to achieve that). However, it has to be said he is not comfortable in front of a camera or a microphone. I agree that sometimes he gets asked the most stupid questions, but equally I have seen/heard more than one occasion when he has been evasive, sarcastic and rude to whoever (usually Burnsie) has been interviewing him when quite reasonable questions have been put. I think the point is he fails to realise that when he goes up in front of the media, he is not talking to whoever is in front of him, he is talking to the fans and it wouldn't need him to suffer too much to be open and informative rather than abrasive and evasive.
I agree with you to an extent but in relaity it really doesn't matter because the players obviously respect him and he has got their backing! This game is a results business and he is delivering at the minute so fair play to the guy
Well I think it does matter because results are not always going to go his way. The problem is that when the cycle turns he and the management in general will be under pressure from the "fans" a lot quicker than they would be for a manager who had really good media skills.
But if the players are playing for him, we are going to win more than we lose so I cannot see it being an issue
Strov - abrasive and evasive. Agree about the evasive bit, but doesn't every manager at any level adopt that stance a) not to give away secrets to interested parties/opponenets and b) to put a positive spin on situations? Abrasive ... about the time that NP got a slaughtering recently Dalglish was interviewed by Steve Wilson (I think) on MOTD. SW questioned a penalty/sending off, I forget which but clearly it was a game changing event, to which KD mumbled barely audible that 'if thats what you want to talk about, I want to talk about the game'. There are many that have got the sharp end of Fergies tongue and so it goes. NP = abrasive, others = not commented upon. Also agree that when results turn as they surely will do at some point he may have been wise to have had the media on his side previously. But he appears to me to be thick skinned enough not to be affected (outwardly any way) by the stick he gets when its dished out. He's shown this already last season and also early on in this one. Perhaps this persona he has developed is the reason why the players like/respect and play for him. Throwing a protective shield around them, showing them that he is not the sort to crumble under pressure, thus garnering more support respect from the Pearson Babes. It hasn't harmed Fergie with the numeorus teams he has built on a 'no-one likes us I don't care' seige mentality. NP for England (eventually), you heard it hear first.
There's a thing that often happens before 'live' interviews: areas for questions and comment are delineated and some areas noted as off-limits. Woe betide the arsehole (sorry - interviewer) who strays into the forbidden area. They quite often get harshly dealt with. Burnsy may actually be getting off lightly with his drongo questions.
I don't think it's particularly good journalism to ask immediately after a defeat where things went wrong and what will be done to put it right. NP and his staff will need to assess things for a few days and speak to players before being able to respond to a question like that
I think the sun shines out of Pearson's proverbial. Period. But Hull is full of moaning gets and as Mussie, I think, commented the other day, that can effect peoples perceptions (wrongly) of what is actually going on. I don't want Pearson to give away trade secrets, far from it, but he could do things with a little more charm. That in itself is quite often impressively disarming. An anecdote of this recently was when (can't remember the game) he was asked by Burnsie if there had been any injuries resulting from the game that had just finished. What did he say? "You'll have to check that out on City Player!" Now, in that he isn't talking to Burnsie, he's talking to thousands of City fans that have just been to the game. He is refusing to give them that information, not Burnsie.
Strov, don't you think the staff would need to assess the players after a game before confirming whether any players were injured or not. Impossible to give any (meaningful) info immediately after the game imo
Burnsy would be after a 'scoop' ("You heard it here first!"). I wouldn't give him a scoop of 'Penna's Poison'.....
Well after the media obsessed Phil Brown, NP is a much and refreshing change. He can be as boring as he likes with the media and fans IMO, as long as he is working his magic with the players. Thats what matters most. The questions about NP and Leicester were laughable. Total non story and i am surprised he remained so calm when asked. NP is shape - ing Up to be the Best manager ever @ Hull City AFC. Long may he reign over our Club. UTT
