Who are you?

Nigel Pearson was today appointed the new Saints manager.

How do I feel? Well shocked firstly, as he was never mentioned by any of the so called pundits as being a candidate for the job. Now that could mean that as he was until the last week or so part of the Kevin Keegan circus at Newcastle(new sponser HM Government following the nationalisation of Northern Rock), that he just slipped under the radar. The pundits could be rubbish is another viewpoint but let's face it they throw so many names at any vacancy, they always usually get the correct name in there somewhere. But not this time!

So the next emotion is concern that this is a knee jerk reaction. We played embarrassingly badly on Saturday when we were knocked out of the F A Cup by Bristol Rovers (22 places below us in League One). We have slipped down the Championship so far since George Burley left that relagation is a word now heard far more frequently than promotion (actually the words would be play off but that's two words!). So have we just appointed our new coach as he is free and has an acceptable CV and probably most importantly is cheaper than other options?

Finally, however, Pearson when he was a player was a no nonsense hard tackling centre back. In the interviews he gave the BBC for Match of the Day as "Big Sam's" deputy (Big Sam wasn't talking to the BBC over allegations they made about him) he came across as articulate and strong minded. If he can impose his playing style on our defence then that alone would be a good enough reason for his appointment. As to the rest, well only time, as they say, will tell.