FOREST VIEWPOINT: Pearce appointment brings calm, writes Tom Walker
It meansg Gary Brazil will stay on as temporary first team manager until the end of the season.
It comes as a calming finish to what has been a turbulent few weeks for Forest. The term ‘calming’ of course is not a term Pearce is used to being labelled as.
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Hide Ad“Psycho” was known for his thunderous performances during his playing days. Most notably with The Reds as well as on the international stage.
Dissecting the press conference – Pearce seems to be more of a stable and long term manager than the twice sacked Billy Davies.
Although both men are known for a fiery temper and a passionate approach to football and Nottingham Forest. Pearce looks like he has a long term goal.
I always felt with Davies that it was all about the short term, there was never any real football club style business plan. He was so fixated with his “unfished business strategy” of short term signings and quick fixes, that he failed to look beyond the end of a season.
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Hide AdPearce talks of a long term vision, looking to get promoted and establishing the club – without spending beyond our means and with the gradual building block approach.
I am a massive believer in producing your youth players. I always felt that Davies never cared about the younger players at the club. Remember in his first spell – he scrapped the reserve team, a great platform for the younger lads to play against seasoned pros who were either out of favour or returning from injury. Nottingham Forest’s Nigel Doughty Academy rivals anybody in English football in regards to facilities. Down the years players such as Jermaine Jenas, Michael Dawson, Andy Reid, Marlon Harewood, James Perch, Lewis McGugan and Wes Morgan – to name but a few - have been produced.
It has been a hotbed of talent and a relentless conveyer belt of first team stars. At the moment Jamaal Lascelles and Karl Darlow are both enjoying first team football at The City Ground.
Although you would imagine Lascelles would perhaps have found his path blocked if Hobbs and Wilson had been fit all season. I always felt Davies was forced to play them rather than genuinely giving them a chance. Darlow may have been different, Davies may have genuinely rated the stopper.
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Hide AdIt spoke volumes to me that as soon as Davies had been shown the door, Gary Brazil in his second game in charge gave a start to Ben Osborn. The 19 year old midfielder partnered his Under 21 coach Jonathan Greening in a midfield diamond away at Ipswich, and it was refreshing to see a new young face don the Garibaldi. Jack Blake and Steven McLaughlin were also named on the bench for Forest.
I really do hope Pearce does look to the Under 21 squad and beyond. Producing our own players has been part of our club for years and it’s imperative to keep producing talents for the first team. After all, would you rather have Djamel Abdoun and Rafik Djebbour costing the club around £3m in transfer fees and astronomical Championship wages to give up, cause friction and play for themselves?
Or would you rather have a couple of young players, local lads who are champing at the bit to play for the club, players who will always commit to everything?
I know what I want at the club, and I hope Psycho can deliver it. For now, it’s time to get behind Brazil and make a push for the Premier League.