This is the first post I have done for a while, but one I think needs to be said... I know loads of people have been opposed to Steve's way of running things, but... I would like to thank him (on his way) for stabilising our club in the worst time it has seen in generations, and for seeing us through in very ordinary fashion. The number of people we could have had, that would have capitulated us is endless, but luckily we got Steve. He saw us through and got us in a respectable condition (considering how f**ked over we had been). He had a sensible transfer mind, and developed the occasional youth player So I want to say a large thankyou to him, and invite anyone else who wants to do the same, because I recognise the MASSIVE achievement he made with Pompey over the past 1.5 years. I know many people disliked Steve but you cannot argue that he gave 100% and loved this club (you know he f**king did). Good luck in all his endeavours, but we do need to kick N Forest's ass soon! Rant over, good luck Steve!
He did a great job for us for which we will all be eternally grateful. We were on our knees and he put up with an awful lot in his time, including from we fans in recent months. I have gone on record as saying something had to change - and so, in a way, I have got my wish, although I would have preferred him to have changed things around here. As Devon says, the grass may not be any greener - for either Pompey or Steve!
Steve has got to be thanked sincerely for what he did for us last season. I would also have liked him to stay, and see through what he had started, but he did appear to be losing his way on the pitch this season, so perhaps he has done us a favour in electing to join Forest. Time will tell
I'll never forget that first interview with Stevie C when he gave his reasons for wanting to become manager of Pompey, he definitely showed a big heart for the club. But I'm sure he knows just how fickle football fans can be. I couldn't believe the amount of garbage he had to put up with last season, and he did it with very good grace. I wanted him to be given more time, he got a few things in motion that he should have been able to see through, like the Academy, and I hoped he could also turn things around on the pitch. When he left yesterday he didn't look like someone who was glad to go. And I was obviously at a completely different game today because I did not see a team that had much joy in them. They did their job and they did it well, more I thought in spite of rather than because of the manager that brought them in leaving. The one thing he did do was bring in a very good team - just don't go poaching them Steve.
Hear hear!! to much said on this thread - I have said on other threads that he deserves more thanks than possibly he has had from us - I too, think he looked genuinely sad to be going - he has pulled in some good players for us and I said on the Notts Forest board that I'm nervous about January - Norris particularly stated that SC was the reason he signed for us because of his pasion and vision for the club - so here's wishing him well and please don't do a Harry on us.