STUART Pearce may never have faced a tougher footballing challenge than the one now confronting him.
Even the legendary `seen it all before' patience of City's fabled supporters is wearing dangerously thin after the latest shameful, spineless capitulation at Chesterfield.
If the next two Premiership matches against West Ham and Everton go the same way, then the upcoming international break is going to be a period when John Wardle and his board will have to take a long, hard look at matters.
In the meantime, Pearce must prepare his deflated, self-doubting squad for the visit of the Hammers, themselves not a picture of serene togetherness after the much-trumpeted arrival of the two Argentinian World Cup stars.
Pearce has promised to return to basics quickly in an attempt to find out what is ailing his under-performing squad.
"We will have a close look at ourselves, the coaching methods and everything," he declared.
"What we will do is work harder, not bury our heads in the sand.
"When you have a couple of bad results, as we have had, you have to strip everything down to the bare bones and try to analyse everything.
"There are thin dividing lines in this game and I still feel that we have certainly done enough to have got something from our last two Premiership games.
"What we have done is give away cheap goals and they will cost you. The third goal at Blackburn and the first at Chesterfield both changed the course of the game and were sloppy from our point of view. What we have to do is take the criticism that comes with the defeat."
Sledgehammer
The starting side Pearce put out at Saltergate on Wednesday night cost around é20m. It contained six full internationals and three others who have represented their country at under-21 level.
In essence, it was a sledgehammer sent to smash a nut but one that proved mechanically unfit for purpose.
What was particularly galling was the lack of fight in a side so packed with experienced, battle-hardened performers who had been in such situations countless times in their careers with their previous clubs and their countries.
Perhaps now is the time to find a place in the side for the passing skills of Stevie Ireland, who did more to please the eye in a dozen minutes than many of his more decorated colleagues had in the previous 78.
Pearce has to restore the passion for the visit of the Hammers, because anything less than 11 players looking as though they are prepared to die of exhaustion for the cause rather than strain their backs picking up a wage packet will not be good enough to assuage the worrying supporters or save the under-pressure City chief from being the first Premiership managerial casualty of the season.
The manager has gone out of his way to defend his players at every single possible turn, he has soaked up the barbs and taken a polite kicking from the media on their behalf. Now it is the playersé turn to repay the favour.
Unfortunately, injures and suspension prevent Pearce from making wholesale changes for the visit of the East End club where he was once a player. A change of system might, however, not go amiss, especially if it involves a five-man midfield where there is no creativity and the movement is stilted.
Hatem Trabelsi, though not as badly injured as first thought, is still out, as are Darius Vassell and Ousmane Dabo, who may have started had they been available.
Pearce is likely to recall Paul Dickov to the attack for one or other of the é8m duo é Corradi and Samaras é who were embarrassingly outshone by 23-year-old Leeds United reject Caleb Folan on Wednesday night.
And he could take a chance on DaMarcus Beasley who, despite two World Cups and two Dutch Premiership medals to his name, was overlooked in favour of Ishmael Miller when Pearce was looking to change the game.
Beasley is said to be not quite match-fit, but one wonders how he will get there without playing matches. He is the latest signing to arrive from abroad either injured or not ready to play, and Pearceés root and branch review might well investigate that too.
Do you think City will turn it around against the Hammers? Have your say.
Tweet
Comments
Login or Register to comment
"Crisis, what crisis?"
Whoopee! Dickov back in on Saturday - well everything is going to be ok now then.
I would rather see 5 in midfield - Barton, Hamann, Sinclair, Beesley and Ireland, with Samaras up front. This way we can support big Sam with SI, TS and DB (and JB if and when on top) when attacking and TS, DB can sit in when defending. I would have Dickov and Sturridge on the bench, along with Miller, Hart and Mills (M). Get the youngsters with pride and passion into the squad and lets get behind them. Keep the Faith. CTID
DANNY MILLS NEEDS, TO BE RE-CALLED AS HE WILL HAVE SOMETHING TO PROVE:
TEAM SHOULD BE:
WEAVER,MILLS,RICHARDS(CB),DUNNE,DISTIN(LB)HAMANN,BARTON,IRELAND,BEESLEY,SAMARAS AND DICKOV.
only if he drops reyna and coradi and puts inbeasley with etuhu n sturridge on the bench
Crisis? What Crisis? Surely just one more, as predicted, defeat, shouldn't have the board panicking? Or is it that Chris Bailey has now spotted a bandwagon and he's getting on board before he's left behind! While we've given up hope on our players ever being consistent, could we not at least expoect some from the local journo? Or maybe even an interview with the culprits concerned? Aah, but that option may result in the withdrawal of the half time choccy hobnobs! Go on Chris lad, be bold. Bring your own biccies if need be!
The pressure is definitely on and I've seen predictions that SP has one more game to keep his job to predictions that he as five. Whatever the situaton may be SP has to do something and quick. If it was me, I would try and give the fans what they want¿¿¿a balanced team who will give 100% until the game is over. I may be shot down for this next bit, if a team gives their best for me you cannot ask much more than that is that too much to ask? So, if the team gives 100% and loses I would be happy knowing they tried their best, at the moment though, I'm not sure that they have been doing that despite what SP has said. I would change things around for tomorrow Weaver, Distin, Dunne, Richards, Onouha (if fit), Miller, Hamann, Ireland, Barton, Samaras, Corradi Subs Hart, Jordan, Sinclair, Beasley, Sturridge.
There are two basic reasons we are in the mess at the moment in respect of the managerial position. We have an inexperienced manager who has been given a big opportunity and wants to succeed badly. He knows it is not an opportunity he would not normally have but for the fact of the second reason.
The board at MCFC are not prepared to give Pearce any money whatsoever and quite simply the budget he has to work on would shame a mid table championship team. The board are sticking to their 5 year plan and have either no money to give or are not prepared to give Pearce any money, hence why they appointed him in the first place. Quite simply he is a stop gap manager.
The solution is simple on Pearce's part. He has to have the courage to address the fans and say " Hey I have had no money to spend and I am doing the best I can with the pathetic amount I have been given- when will I be given some money to spend?". He needs to put the board into a corner before the board sack him. He will gain the respect of the fans,probably the players and the board will either have to endure the wrath of the fans by sacking him or come out and tells us exactly what they plan to do. One problem - Pearce for all his hardman image doesn't have the backbone to do it and will muddle along and take the club down with him. Time to be tough Mr Pearce for the sake of us all.
Recalling Dickov? Playing for 0-0 are we as we'll definately not score.
I expect more of the same - the team needs wholesale changes with Ireland, DeBeasley and Sturridge starting - Dunnie should be club captain not football captain - give it to Joey as he seems the only one showing any passion at the moment - not looking forward to it.
STURRIDGE IS INJURED AND ALL THOSE OF YOU SHOUTING FOR ETUHU SHOULD BE ASHAMED,THE LAD IS NOWHERE NEAR READY TO BE USED AND ABUSED.
Bailey's hatchet-job on Pearce last night was despicable - picking out only the comments on here that called for his head, and not those who want him to be given more time or are blaming the board for the situation. But what else should we expect from this hypocrite, he changes his mind every two seconds?
In a word "NO"
i think john wardle needs to look at himself before he looks at pearce.
Chris,
Seems to be getting his material from the postings to this site. I'd just echo the call for some hard hitting interviews.
The problem is with the chain of command. Pearce was not given resources to do his job but is too loyal to criticize the board in public or possibly in private. He hates insubordination and refuses to indulge in it himself but that means he is shouldering the blame for poor financial management by the board. The fans aren't exactly enamoured of Pearce but we have the sense to realise that actually, in this case, the buck doesn't stop with him at all. If he is made a scapegoat for the failings at board level we'll know.
I don't know why everyones saying theres a crisis. We're unbeaten at home this season and granted our away form has been awful. We're the only team to beat Arsenal and take a point off Portsmouth. I believe we should've taken something from the Reading game and possibly the Blackburn game, I realise we're only a few games in, but all those people saying sack the board/sack pearce should take a long hard look at themselves. 1. Pearce has been given peanuts to bring in players. 2. There is no potential 'big money' investment on the horizon. 3. Whoever replaced Pearce would come on more money and a big fat long contract. 4. The 'new' manager would have us in a similar position and we end up like we were in the 90's. The only way forward is to bring some of the youth in who are keen and hungry to add competition for places amongst the senior players. I know it shouldn't be like that but such is life. I think city need a classy player in the transfer window for 6-10mil that will bring some much needed life and belief that is draining out of coms by the day. Someone like an Anelka, Berkovic is the only way to get some belief into this team. I honestly believe we will not go down this season on the basis that their are 3 teams who are even worse than us. (Sheff U, Watford and Fulham). Keep the faith and lets support our team.
WHAT I CANT BELIEVE IS PEARCES "ITS ALL MY FAULT" ATTITUDE. COME ON STU GIVE THE LADS A KICK UP THE BACKSIDE N GET EM PLAYING WITH THE PASSION THE CLUB AND THE FANS DESERVE!!!!
Frank Clarke's Guitar Tutor blames the board for not sticking their hands in their pockets. But as I've said on this site time and time again, and have been criticised time and time again for doing so (and will doubtless be so again), the reason for this is that the board have no money, because they mortgaged their (our) future by giving Kevin Keegan 50 million quid to fritter away. Stuart Pearce, sadly, has proved little better in the transfer market, as six million for Samaras amply demonstrates.
team should be:hart, richards, dunne, distan, jordan, barton, hamann, ireland, beasley, samaras, dickov.
subs: weaver, corradi, miller, etuhu or sturridge, m.mills
Drop Dunne and Distin, they are escaping the blame for an amazing amount of poor defending. I don't give a monkey's who he replaces them with but this team needs a good shaking. They don't realise how lucky they are to have Pearce. Experienced Managers cannot be manufactured they have to evolve. And while he's at it Miller and Ireland have shown more in there brief introductions to make me believe Sinclair and Reyna should never disgrace our shirt again. DO NOT SACK STUART PEARCE. The players are to blame and no-one else
I agree with 'Rossler's right boot', Pearce should give the players some serious stick, as they were the guys who did not turn up on Wednesday, bunch of wasters.
The team versus West Ham,
Weaver, Richards, Dunne, Distin, Jordan,Sinclair, Hamann, Barton, Beasley, Sturridge,Samaras,
Subs> Hart, Dickov, Coraddi,
Ireland, Miller.
Let's have some attacking football with some flair, why not put young Daniel Sturridge in the team?. look at other young players making their mark with other clubs, age means nothing anymore talent does.
Come on you BLUES!
To me the only logical solution is to bring in a 'director of football' or whatever the trendy name is for an experienced old pro who can guide SP. I'm not sure sacking SP is the answer cos all that will happen is the new manager brings his new players in and there are wholesale changes and we haven't got the money to do that (we also know from past experiences it doesn't work). But it's obvious Stu needs guidance.Ultimately, the general concensus (on these boards anyway) is that SP COULD be the man given time. Problem is - we dont' have time. As much as I know it wouldn't be popular a Ron Atkinson or George Graham type figure to guide Pearce,help him gain the experience he desperately needs and achieve our be all target of staying in The Prem at all costs could be the way forward.It wouldn't be pretty but eh, surely it's better than the way we are heading?
I would like to think that we will win tomorrow but after recent games againist Reading, Blackburn and now Chesterfield, I haven't got a clue!!!!!!!!!
West Ham aren't all that at the moment, so am thinking that we could nick it.
I dont think we'll lose tomorrow, but i've got a horrible feeling that its gonna be a boaring 0-0 draw!
Dunno if this is true, but I've heard that Stuart has got three games to turn it round, and if he doesn't we're having Steve Wigs looking after the team until the board get a new gaffer.
There have been only five games played this season, with the greatest respect, Chelsea, not many teams will pick points up at the Bridge, Reading had one chance on goal and scored, we bossed it but didn't have the killer touch. Rovers were lucky, if Vass was playing we would had a result there. Chersterfield was to be expected, I have supprted City since I was 5, that is know 37 years and trust me, we don't do lower league teams away from home. Our saviour this year should be our home form. Played two got four points, I expect a backlash tommorrow and knowing City we will win 3-0 and everyone is happy. Yes no money, but remember the 80's and 90's when it burnt a hole in our pockets. For me 14th in Prem season after season is OK. The only way forward know in the Prem is serious investment from a billionaire, just look at Chelsea, Pompey and now Villa. We need to back the team and encourage them tommorrow. Yes they are frustraing but that is the joy of being a City fan. If want to support a winning team then look elsewhere, because is City is life, it is up and down.Has for tommorrow the team should be Weaver, Richards, Dunne, Distan,Jordan, Sinclair, Barton, Hamman,Ireland, Beasley, Samaras.