Should we be disappointed?

Malling - A couple of thoughts on that though:

First of all, if Pearson does go for honest-but-workmanlike, is that a bad thing? He got us into the playoffs before and has more money available this time, so might that not spell good things for next season?

Second, if Pearson is actively /against/ players like them or their kind of football, why is Sol Bamba still playing and Sledger on his way out?

“..others think of Fernandes and Johnson as the kind of players we need to play the right kind of football and move in the right direction.”
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I’m not sure what evidence people would present to say that these are the type of players that we need.

If we need a player to be unfit and hardly get into the match day squad then Johnson is perfect for this role. Sven didn’t think he was ready and neither does Nigel and they’ve seen a lot more of him than we have. He can’t really be selected, or kept in the squad, on reputation alone.

SSL was ok and not much more. If we have aspirations of achieving promotion then is “ok” good enough? He’d be a useful squad player, but he clearly isn’t happy with that role.

The hardest one to dismiss is Fernandes. The current demise in the form of Richie Wellens makes the argument for keeping him more persuasive, but not for the reasons the OP stated. His greatest strengths seemed to be his energy and endeavour. Pearson is accused of not being able to see beyond workmanlike players, but I’d put Fernandes very much in this bracket. I can only assume that GF has been honest with NP in stating that he doesn’t fancy it here. This would fit with NP appearing to respect him, whilst at the same time never giving him a chance.

In short Fernandes is the only one I’ll miss but, based purely on their Leicester performances; we need to do better than all three if we are as ambitious as we say we are.

The 'honest-but-workmanlike' have their place, Dunge, absolutely, but since O'Neil left that seems to be the character with which City as a whole has been stuck, as the limit of our cash-strapped ambition. The arrival of Sven-plus-money stirred me to think that we might at last be able to raise our sights. I'm much less sure that NP-plus-money will take us in that direction.

I suspect that Pearson shares the misgivings about Bamba that many have voiced on here, but his choices are limited at present. SSL seems to have felt under-valued, and walked as a consequence. A pity, I feel, especially if the old Tunch cannot be recovered.

Malling - But the point still stands that the reason SSL felt under-valued was because Pearson chose the more flamboyant Bamba over him in the first place.

I think in his first spell, it played to the strength of us as a club because we didn't have the financial backing we do now and so couldn't attract the same quality of player that we now could so the best way we could progress was to build the sort of side that he did.

We'll just have to wait and see what type of player he does sign but I think we do need that bit of flair and spark in our side to progress and develop because that is what we're missing at present. You look at the three sides who got promotion, they all had someone who could create something from nothing (i.e. Taraabt, Hoolahan, Sinclair etc.) but I think Nigel will and does realise this and will address it. The first bid he's made is for exactly the type of player we're missing and I think you under-estimate his and certainly Steve Walsh's ability to find exactly the right players to improve our side.

Greatness,

Your second sentence there is absolutely spot on. People deride the style of play under Pearson, but he got the most out of the resources at his disposal.

Let’s see what he can do with money before we say that he is one dimensional.

Fair enough, joby. No one would be happier than me to be proved wrong.

Important point to think about here- some if not all of the players mentioned Pearson might want to keep. Could be their own decision to leave

Unfortunately SSL is probably too small of stature in NP's eyes.
He is also the sort of player that gets through alot of work but is never outstanding, is that what we want? .
I am fairly sure a centre back will be a priority this Window, if it was someone like Richard Dunne then in my opinion NP.

Fernanes will not be NP's type of player.
Wellens can be the man, but if he can't train daily, how the hell can he play 3 or 4 matches in 10/12 days?.

Above all I believe Nigel has doubts about loan signings being chosen infront of signed players, before all have been given a chance.

Lets see what happens and trust in the management which on this occassion I am prepared to do.

In my opinion, it is very short sighted to suggest Pearson doesn't like "flair" players. Take one look at Bamba for evidence of that.

Pearson likes a good attitude, I'll give you that bit only people who have already made their mind up about him would fail to see how well he's managed the Beckford situation, whether he goes or not.

Pearson has never been at a club that has been able to spend a lot of money. He's worked very well with a limited budget and got the best out what he's had at his disposal.

Some would say he likes a boring style of play, but what he's shown in the last 3 games is he is willing to try different things - so what is his style of play?

To answer your question Dunge, I welcome Pearson's decision to let Fernandes, Johnson, and SSL go. None of them have shown anything under Sven to suggest they'd be "worth" managing. Why the hell would he bother when he can get more effective players in who will have a better attitude.

I've never disguised that I'm a fan of Pearson and his methods. I personally think he's one of the best managers around and I hope he's given the time at our club to prove it. If players don't want to play for him, then more fool them! For the first time in a long time we are a club that is going somewhere, and any player that doesn't want to be part of it should be shown the exit door!!

Btw, to Pearson likes only hard-working, honest-players (the implication that they like ability) did anybody see the midfield of Brady, Stewart and Koren he assembled at Hull? Outstanding creators, and in Stewart and Koren arguably two of the best in the division.