I can't help feeling that we have let a really good manager slip through our fingers. He had saved us from dropping out of the division we are in, turned us around from a shambles (remember 4-0 at Millwall last season) to a formidable force (what was it 20 games away from home unbeaten or summat?), a vibrant young team with some real gems playing progressive football, whilst equally hard to beat. And yet despite all that he jumped ship. Obviously the kings ransom he is now being paid is important. I haven't seen his contract, I don't suppose anyone on here has but if the rumours are to be believed, he took a fair old hike in basic pay and likely bonuses in comparison to what we paid him. Otherwise two similar style squads from similar style cities with similar style histories, ok split hairs re show me your trophies blah blah, but you get my drift. An obvious weakness of Pearson is his wanting to be loved and the fact that others opinions DO matter, despite his 'I couldn't care less what people say' protestations (listen to the Beeb comments he makes). His thick skin is not so thick methinks. I just wonder if the frequent air of negativity that surronds City is what really drove him away in the end. The bollox of a local rag which is constantly anti City, the majority of the derogatory output on Blunderside. And of course the constant sniping of some of the know **** alls that sit in the stands. He had a veiled dig at City fans in his interview ... 'we're [Lesta] lucky to have such a fanbase' ....'they are positive'. Can't remember him ever uttering that about us, not even after his little scare before Donny last year and the support I know he got then. Big Nige reminds me of one of his buddies, Big Sam. Big toughie on the outside, but bit of a soft centre. Will always get results, but by **** you'll soon know about if he gets slighted. I suspect that in a few years he'll jump ship again and Lesta fans will be spilling bile (yet again) in his direction, as he moves onto something bigger again, maybe even when Lesta are in the Prem. Still thanks for the memories. The king is dead, long live Sir Nick of Barmby.
A lot of fans didn't take to him, rightly or wrongly, and maybe he has himself to blame for that in not playing the media game. I did find a lot of the criticism of him a bit absurd but like I said, he rubbed up people the wrong way. Theres no doubt he got us back on track though and he has made the wrong decision going to Leicester for a quick pay-day instead of seeing the job through with us, and you have to question his motives for doing that. The comments under the Fail articles against him were often appaling and quite vindictive, even when we were on good runs, and he probably thought we were a bunch of ungrateful moaning gets.
if fans have a go at a manager when losing, they are called fickle or knee jerkers..same as if they love somebody after a couple of good wins, there called knee jerkers.. i quite like the fact a lot of people, stuck to there guns in there opinion of him even when he was doing ok, as it showed they werent knee jerk reactions, but genuine feelings.
His biggest skill is assembling a talented squad, he did that for us and got us where we are now. I certainly won't forget that but if he can't take a bit of stick when we go on incredibly frustrating winless home runs, then sod him. I still think he's a cock for jumping ship, but after today I care that little bit less.
I would always give our manager the benefit of the doubt. Take Barmby for instance. Six points from a possible 12. One of the games was against the top team at home. In all of the games, we were winning at one point. But Barmby appears prone to a substitution gaffe. So after four games, i am quite pleased. Pearson too was given the benefit of the doubt. But after 18 months of boring football, boring interviews, poor corners, super defensive 1 nils and no intention of changing things, I am glad he has gone.
The same fans that were constantly sniping at Pearson's team were doing the same at Barmby's team today
Reasons for leaving? In no particular order.................. 1) He thinks that the club throwing around the most money will get "him" in the premiership quicker than he could have got Hull City there, if at all. Lesta owners are deperate to get in the prem and talk of nothing else. He likes that atmoshere. (Ours are more patient and sensible). 2) No doubt about it, a big wad of cash was waved in his face, and the bonus bit underlines the desperation at the club.
Pearson never ever convinced me that he wanted to be here in the first place. He's a miserable so and so. Glad ultimately to see the back of him. Built up a good squad of players and for that I thank him. Lets now more on.
You are never going to stop people sniping all the time unless they have a brain implant. Most of them are at their happiest when they are miserable they don't even do it for fun. Having said that, I did snipe at Pearson even when we thought he was doing Ok. His type of football didn't please me.
