Stuart Pearce has been talking about Newcastle United and Sunderland.
Now 64, the former player and manager a media pundit.
Stuart Pearce had an incredible journey, coming from non-league playing for Wealdstone and working as an electrician, all the way through to becoming the greatest left-back England have ever had. In my opinion anyway.
The England and Forest legend eventually ended up at St James’ Park.
That bizarre summer 29 years ago when ahead of the 1997/98 season Kenny Dalglish recruited Ian Rush (aged 36), John Barnes (aged 33) and Stuart Pearce (aged 35) for Newcastle United.
Dream signings if they had happened ten years earlier but…actually Stuart Pearce did alright for Newcastle United and I thought especially when playing as a central defender he still looked a very decent player despite the advancing years.
Stuart Pearce has now been talking about his old club when speaking on The Overlap: “I think Newcastle United have done far better than I thought they would. I think they had every excuse in the summer to sort of come out with some really tepid performances. I was at the Liverpool game and I thought Newcastle United played well in that game. Liverpool were fortunate to get away with a point, took a point on the road. But I think their [Newcastle United’s] points tally and their performances have been better than I was expecting.”
Stuart Pearce also asked about which three clubs he thinks will be relegated: “Ipswich and Coventry…I tipped Sunderland to go at the start of the season, so I’m going to stick with that.”
Issue 101 – August 1997
Stuart Pearce quizzed on whether hostile atmospheres should inspire players: “I think it inspires you. I think if you have got anything about you, it should really inspire you. I covered the Newcastle-Liverpool game at the start of the season. I’m watching Alexander Isak and he shrunk under the pressure of it. And I’m thinking, what an opportunity for him to say, ‘Hey, have some of this. This is what you’re going to miss.’ And I was really disappointed that he didn’t come out fighting…You have got to show some personality on a football pitch and I think it should inspire.”