Stuart Pearce Officially Set To Become Nottingham Forest Manager And I Don’t Quite Know How To Feel About It…

Chris Wright

3rd, April 2014

12 Comments

By Chris Wright

Well then, it’s official. After meeting with owner Fawaz Al-Hasawi at the City Ground this morning for the second time this week, it has been announced on Nottingham Forest’s official site that Stuart Pearce will return to the club to take over as manager from July 1st, 2014.

After many teased returns in the recent past, Psycho’s finally back! A bona fide Forest legend returning to the City Ground with the club at a low ebb and in desperate need of positive news – but, in truth I’m not entirely sure how I feel about Pearce’s imminent appointment.

It should be simple. Of course, the ex-Junior Red who watched Psycho chopping down wingers for fun in me is crying spasmodic rainbows of joy, but the worn-out Forest-jaded realist is politely suggesting that the most agreeable course of action would’ve been to have brought Pearce back right now in order to give the whole place an instant ‘pop’ and hopefully re-jig a visibly ailing side for one last ditch tilt at the play-offs and hopefully prevent our season from fizzling out faster than Poseidon’s barbecue.

Who knows, maybe he was simply unwilling to wade in at this juncture just to stage a surely futile salvage operation? Perfectly understandable.

However I must, with heavy, heavy heart, admit that getting Pearce signed up on a long-term deal from the start of next season isn’t quite such an exciting prospect. The man’s managerial record is hardly glittering, bar his amicable slog at junior level with the England U21s.

After all, this is a man who once not only played David James as an auxiliary striker, but also had a special “James No.1” outfield jersey printed up for him to change into beforehand. It was pre-meditated.

I ask you: is that the tactical nous of a sane man?

Pearce is an old-school English manager who demands passion and grunt before anything else. True, that can get you a long way in the Championship and Forest are definitely crying out for more steel – but not in lieu of quality.

Truth is, as mentioned, I just don’t really know how I feel at the moment. Any of the Reds fans out there going through the same thing?

Posted in Championship, Managers, Newsnow, Opinion

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12 Comments

  1. Alex says:

    I’m definitely more on the worried side of the fence… from his wiki;

    “He admitted in an interview with Match of the Day, that in his first attempt at picking a starting eleven, he did not realise until it was pointed out to him by his wife that he had omitted goalkeeper Mark Crossley”

    But the real issue this article brings up is why isn’t Omar on the list of Chairman in the background. That’s what I want to know!

  2. wilmo says:

    Nobody cares.

  3. Mathers says:

    I agree, would have been great to see him back in some role, but like you say not sure if he is the man to take this club where it needs to be.

    He is an old school manager. Its a shame as there are alot of good managers not in a job who, in my opinion, would take the club the right way.

    I think what Fawaz is trying to do is admirable, by putting a fans favourite in, but his judgement may be misguided. I wonder how much John McGovern played a part in the decision?

    Time will tell, and no doubt the fans will be behind him. It will be a shame if he doesnt succeed and it tarnishes his reputation at the club.

  4. Noel Gallagher says:

    An inspired choice – fans stop moaning and at last realise that all the pretty passing in the Championship will not win you promotion. Passion, committment, loyalty and good old fashioned fear – Stuart will provide all that in abundance.

  5. Michael says:

    I’m not worried, I’m relieved it’s not one of the crazier names being bandied about – like Glen Hoddle! Forget his playing career, he was unlucky not to get Man City a UEFA cup spot after Robbie Fowler missed a late penalty that would have guaranteed it. Nobody can deny he did a good job for England under 21’s too. And as Capello’s touchline punchbag, he showed remarkable constraint.

    This seasons not dead yet mathematically but it would be pretty unfair if Gary Brazil performs a miracle then has to hand the reins over. I kissed this season goodbye even before the Derby mauling myself and even if we scrape into the play-offs, we all know the pain of previous attempts. If Stuart Pearce is to become a Forest managerial legend, I’d rather he had a season in the Championship first and hopefully he will be wielding a big axe in the summer to trim the dead wood who have failed to step up since all the injuries

  6. When I was 11 or 12 I ran into Stuart Pearce in the city’s Old Market Square. Unsure how best to approach the man, I somewhat naively asked, “Are you Stuart Pearce?” To which he responded “No” and continued walking.

    Dick.

  7. tommo says:

    I feel exactly same. I think this is a sentimental decision. I don’t think pearce is a good manager and from the way he comes across in interviews, I don’t think he’s convinced either.
    A big mistake in not getting Steve Clarke in, a manager who has experience of promotion and of staying up. I feel sorry for Pearce cos when times get tough, all those that are cheering this now will be first to turn.

  8. Joe says:

    He’ll get another six points out of the side that they probably wouldn’t have got without the ‘gentle encouragment’ Pearce will bring to the dressing room, and that surely will see them into the play-offs.

  9. Mike says:

    I too have been skeptical when assessing in my own mind whether Pearce was the right man for the job. He has been my hero from junior red days too and been a constant source of pride for me when thinking of the team & country I support. He was the player I thought every man/boy in the stand would play like – blood, guts, glory – giving his all. His managerial record isn’t glowing, but as it’s been said he did do well with the U21s and was unlucky not to get that UEFA cup place – his overall win record sits around 39% – better than Zola and Mackay – which I think would surprise a lot of people. What I don’t want is a hero to turn into a villain, but the more I think of it the less I think it would happen (Think Shearer at Newcastle and Hoddle at Spurs – they’ll always be legends).

    The appointment has happened and when I read it I got goosebumps – the thought of the city ground chanting Psycho like in my boy hood days fills me with excitement and passion – make no mistake the atmosphere will be electric again and the opposition will know that.

    All that’s left as a Forest fan is to get behind Brazil now and Psycho in the summer… COYR!!!

  10. Ryan says:

    Did anyone see this cunt at City. And how shit he was with the U21’s. He’s a buffoon. Great player but thick as shit and not cut out to be a manager.

    You should be feeling very depressed. He’s a shit version of Tim Sherwood and that’s the worst thing I can say about anyone.

  11. Jarren says:

    If Pearce can get you into the playoffs it would be an achievement indeed, and if you actually won promotion it would be a glorious day for Forest and most football fans would welcome your return to the top flight.

    Once in the Premiership, anything can happen. Look at Holloway at Palace. Now there’s a man suited to a job, and it’s not the top flight.

    Give Pearce a few months should he get you promotion, and if Al-Hasawi isn’t happy he has the power to change.

    Maybe Pulis will be available?

    Joking aside, good luck Chris.

  12. hootybanger says:

    [Goes out of his way to post nobody cares on a comments section, thus, by definition, caring] I don’t care about your negative attitude @wilmo! Hold on, . . damn!

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