I allways try to stick up for Pearce a little bit, Ok I'm not going to defend his mistakes, but all managers make them. It wasn't pretty but Pearce did what had to be done, the money from SWP mostly went on the day to day running of the club, most of the players he brought in were free or next to nothing, his only big signing was Samaras, his big mistake, a gamble that didn't pay off he shouldn't have done it. Mostly money and resources went out of the side and normally when that happens you're only going to go in one direction. The day I heard we couldn't afford even 2 million for Van buyten (under Keegan) I knew we were stuffed for years to come, I don't know how Pearce kept us up but it's to his credit that he did.
Also a lot of people who have a go at Pearce have forgotten Phil Neal.
Also a lot of people who have a go at Pearce have forgotten Phil Neal.