Transfer Gossip & Rumour

OK, so here’s a roundup of the names doing the rounds on the likes of Twitter. I am not saying any of these deals are definite, merely rounding up in a bite size manner what’s happening or how likely these could well be and what they would mean for the side.

Khalid al-Rashidi
Apparently Ali al-Habsi at Wigan, who is a handy keeper rates him as the best keeper in Asia, and the Kuwaiti keeper is a done deal pending a work permit, which isn’t exactly a foregone conclusion. I can assume he’d be back up to Camp, as Smith is now gone, without seeing any action of him I don’t know if he’d be anything like first choice just yet. Where this puts Karl Darlow I am unsure, after his squad number was revealed as 12 I thought it might mean his chances are greater, but maybe the intention is again to loan him out for experience after his stint in Wales with Newport County. Al-Rashidi requires to have played 75% of international games for Kuwait to qualify, however Kuwait is fairly lowly ranked and to qualify you usually need to be top 75 I believe. Special dispensations are however made, so let’s see.

Frank Moussa
Again less rumour more fact, as he is on trial and has been playing games. As I tweeted, the possibility of a midfield of Moussa and Moussi means we could be cheering "MOOOOOUSSS” more often. We don’t exactly have a dearth of central midfielders, so what this means for some of the other guys I would be unsure, he is young, 22 years old and was released by Leicester, after a previous spell with Southend.

Tomas Diaz Navarette
His current club is Belgian Third Division side R.U. Saint-Gilloise, but he spent the least season on loan in Hungary with Honved. He is 20 years old and had trials at Man City, and that is as much as I know apart from him being a defender. A quick Google and it seems he may have a mixed ownership issue, which is heavily frowned upon in the English game but is hugely popular with South Americans. Now you don’t get a newspaper reporting your on trial with City if your rubbish, so there must be an element of ability and it seems he is after bigger moves, maybe moving moved by a third party ownership to Belgium for passport reasons (as they have quicker naturalisation rules as any Football Manager player knows) And whilst contracted there his owners try and find a better club. Who knows though to be honest, it’s not even clear this guy is the Chilean trial list, but more and educated guess.

Ismael Bouzid
French born Algerian international Bouzid is a free agent being linked with the club. He’s travelled the world somewhat in his career, and after impressing as a youngster and being linked with Sunderland, Galatasary and Kaiserslautern, who ended up at Hearts in Scotland. After two years there he was released, and after Crawley Town passed him over he ended up in the Greek super League with a club I have never heard of PAS Giannina F.C, after apparently turning down a host of better clubs. Like George Boateng he seems to have a year in Greece and wants to come back over to Britain. This might be a cheap back up option for any other centre halves we bring in, doesn’t sound top quality, and to be honest do we want Lascelles down the pecking order further?

Simon Gillett
I guess one of the host of ex Doncaster players O’Driscoll managed will always be linked and here is another, the midfielder Gillett. He started at Southampton and after numerous loan spells elsewhere was released and ended up with Doncaster. Again another midfielder linked when we already have a host, and might be simply lazy linking ex Donny players but his name was going round Twitter earlier.

Michael Owen
The rumour that won’t die and seems to be reignited by Natalie Jackson’s brother. To be fair he would be great at this level, he’s been at top top clubs, but he has said already he has no intention of dropping to the Championship, so it’s highly unlikely. He is also strongly being linked with a move to Turkey (Trabzonspor) so it appears highly unlikely.

Welcome, Welcome

Well that’s two signings in, and yes I'm a bit tardy with both, but I hardly claim this to be a cutting edge news site always breaking the latest news.
The signings of Guedioura and Collins have indicated that, far from what the Mail reckoned we are throwing a bit of weight around with some signings that are a) costing money, and b) aren’t from the Middle East, both of which the Mail reckoned were key factors. Mail fail.

So now we have a defender too, that’s one more piece in the jigsaw and will be followed up in the next few days with further signings apparently (more on this later). Slowly it all starts to come together.

But mainly welcome to the club Danny Collins and welcome home Adlene Guedioura, who spoke of the fans love on Twitter being a huge factor. He obviously already loves the club and bares all the hallmarks of a future legend, even if Derby fans try to make out he’s a reserve from another championship club, that maybe so, but we aren’t being turned down by Crewe defenders

The Art of Spinning the Truth

The Mail on Sunday yesterday went with a story that suggested Sean O’Driscoll is no more than a stooge in the scheme of some rich foreigner’s evil plans to flood our game with cheap dirty foreigners. As is their agenda to portray anything non British as inherently dangerous.

Suggesting additionally that funds were not in place to the tune they had suggested, soon Nottingham will be awash with cheap imported middle eastern players, and with the Mails rhetoric at least 2 of them will probably have links to Al Qaeda, Saddam Hussein, Colonel Ghaddafi or failing that is a scientologist who hated Princess Diana.

In short it was thinly veiled racism, which is what they specialise in pedalling.

The problem is here is that it makes for very easy copy. And people believe this twaddle. I would like to make it clear here that there will be quoting of extremely dodgy comments by fans of other teams, so I apologise for its content. I think it needs to be made clear these are the few of a few random nut jobs.

One Derby fan suggested that they can’t wait to see our team of “Paki’s” fail, and that it will be like watching Baghdad Sunday league. Sweeping generalisations and racist slurs in the space of a few minutes. But it sums up what an article like that can bring out in people. This unsavoury element always under the surface. It underlines complete ignorance (and a level of Geographic failing so amazing it confuses me)

They also laugh because they are from unfancied nations not rated highly in the world, which again is meaningless. Derby themselves have had a number of players unheralded before but turned out to be good, Paolo Wanchope for one. Additionally the ranking of a nation has no bearing on an individual. Look at George Weah, or Georgi Kinkladze.

One comment on their story from a woman from Doncaster bemoaned how Nottingham Forest look essentially like they are running an illegal human trafficking system if this happens and should be investigated and shut down. It beggars belief the flights and fancy and connections people make from the new owners simply wanting to use players they know, and like and see if they can help at the new club they owned. To suggest we are simply going to be a gateway for a multitude of Arabic based footballers is stretching the truth a whole lot. If that’s the case why not install a Kuwaiti manager instead of O’Driscoll? Why are we being linked with just as many English and European players, and these “floods of Arabs players” total 7, who are on trial, with no obligation to buy.

And why the hell does it matter? Look around the football world, and the English game, foreign players exist in great numbers, many teams fielding less English than none, so why make a big deal out of it being us.

And since I first drafted this earlier further evidence of the lack of journalistic integrity has been proved by Forest splashing the cash on Guedioura in a deal believed to be worth£750k. Hardly a bunch of cheapskates.

O' Its Sean

So the chase for a manager is over, and after all that has been said and done, it’s someone who was here last season. This isn’t exactly news of course; anyone who doesn’t know by now must have been living under a rock.

Many have been venting frustration, that after all the names mentioned and after all the promises of iconic names and experienced managers who can lead us to glory, they have stumped for a less than glamorous name. For a safe name.

This is no bad thing in my book. You want someone who knows the division, knows what players to get, knows our current players strengths and weaknesses. We went for the name last season in McClaren and look how that panned out.

Many of the big names linked and mentioned were frankly never on the agenda, Redknapp as I repeatedly said was never a contender, we may have spoke to him, but it would take something special for Redknapp to go north of the M25 to manage.

Look at the successful managers at this level over the last few years. Rodgers at Swansea, Lambert at Norwich, McDermott at Reading, and Adkins at Southampton, all of these are relatively unattractive safe managers. Two of these have now moved to “big clubs” and all of them were promoted. Compared with the big names, Eriksson, McClaren, Sousa, these have struggled to make the grade. They have success before and maybe will again, but they don’t know this division.

When you see the names who succeeded above, they were all in their second, third jobs, having been at a relatively smaller club before getting the reins at a larger Championship club, this is exactly what O’Driscoll has, so hopefully he can replicate those successes.

The appointment has apparently been largely player influenced. Maybe somewhat to do with the fact they experienced a large name sweeping in the guise of McClaren; they prefer the approach of an O’Driscoll. Dexter Blackstock certainly seemed delighted on Twitter and having a manager players want to play for is such a bonus, they will go the extra mile.

O’Driscoll has a hard task now though in creating a new defence from scratch. Whether he works with the youngsters available to make up at least a part of that, if not the backup, that remains to be seen. Hardened pro’s who know the division would be more than adequate.

The appointment itself has started to be mocked by fans of other teams. I don’t think they realise the fact that our board has listened to the players, and took a wider look at the situation. Rather than the initial promise of the big name, after looking at the situation and appraising what we need, they decided to go for the guy the players themselves say is good. It shows certain humility that new regimes often lack who go in all guns blazing and then fail to listen to what others recommend.

It has been pointed out by a few the similarity to what Blackburn did, in firing the recognised a manager and bringing in his assistant, but it doesn’t quite flow like that. Our man has experience, Kean didn’t, and he had left the club for another managerial role, not promoted from below.

The next few days will be key as we see the kind of players we are chasing and what kind of players sign up, how much financial backing O’Driscoll is given. Many have speculated because we have chosen a “budget” manager that it indicates the funds are significantly lower than first indicated. That is pure guesswork, conjecture. Others are saying he’s purely a yes man to be able to be dump Arabian players on, and that others had refused because of this, again guesswork. Does it matter as long as they cut the mustard?

As I say, an interesting week or so ahead as the new look squad is built and assembled.

Gunter goes as the managerial search continues...

Chris Gunter has today completed a £2.3m move to newly promoted Reading.

Gunter, who made over 150 appearances in his 3 years at the club, is of course a massive loss and it's disappointing to see such a great young talent depart.

Few can complain about this move despite some twitter folk are calling him a judas - as McCleary has said, do people even know what the word means nowadays?

As I've said before on here, he is an international player who will have ambitions to get back into the Premier League. Fair play to him for wanting to see out the rest of last season and keep us up before departing, where I'm sure he'll be a success.

In manager news, more theories have surfaced about why Mick has said no, Hoddle had ruled himself out - although rumour has it he met with them today, Ferguson wants to stay at Peterborough - hooray - and Paul Ince and Roy Keane have expressed their interest. Billy Davies' odds have also gone from 40/1 to 4/1 to be the next boss.

I did have an epiphany on my drive into work this morning and thought Paulo Sousa would be worth a crack at the job. Experienced at this level, young and despite his Leicester flop, has done ok as a manager. He's better than Darren Ferguson and some of the other names I've seen anyways.

Either way, we are as we were yesterday...managerless.

Follow me on twitter @benando_torres

I don't like Mondays....

After a weekend of hope and promise, the first day of the new week has offered quite the opposite.

Firstly, the man who most wanted to replace Steve Cotterill, big Mick McCarthy, has ruled himself out of the race to be our new boss.

There are mixed views on why it's happened, all that's confirmed is he won't be coming. According to talkSPORT, the move fell through as he deemed himself to be bigger than the job and wasn't prepared to go through interviews to get it.

I guess his reasons will become clear in due course.

This has now put other less 'iconic' managers back in the frame with Darren Ferguson rumoured to be the favourite.

Interestingly, the board are in rumoured talks with Akos Buzsaky following his release from QPR and numerous Kuwaiti journalists were saying we've 100% signed a European Left Back and an ex-Forest playmaker, the latter believed to be Jermaine Jenas.

It all seems pie in the sky and I guess crap rumours from Kuwaiti journalists may be something we'll get used to when they get a few wrong. If the Jenas one does materialise, it's a clear sign of ambition and my fellow writer called this move over a week ago...go us!

Either way, with no manager, the board are signing players regardless, despite what was said in the press conference on Saturday.

Its becoming apparent the Al Hasawi's are taking a continental route to the set up of the club if any of these deals come off. They buy the players, a coach comes in to make them play. The coach could well be Hoddle, who is rumoured to now be holding talks with the board tomorrow.

I'm sure by Friday, we'll know who the manager or coach will be and how things will go.

Shortly after the McCarthy news broke, Chris Gunter was the top trend on twitter in the UK. The reason why? A fee had been agreed for him to talk to Reading.

Chris would of course be a big loss to our defence and while the deal isn't set in stone, it's looking likely.

If we've got a ridiculous fee for him, great. Every player has their price and all that but if there is anything in our speculated £20m budget, why do we need to sell?

Let's not forget, I imagine Gunter is ambitious and as a fully fledged Welsh international, has aspirations to be a Premier League player. Maybe the good vibes from McCleary and a rise in wages may finally twist his arm to go.

Gunts' departure would also mean any new manager would have to buy a whole new defence. Amazing when you think we've lost our main RB and our four centre halves in a year.

This would leave us with Maloney, Lascelles and Freeman for a defence with an average age of 21.

Let's see what the Forest rumour mill spurns up tomorrow. As it stands, it's the only thing we have to go on.

Follow me on twitter @benando_torres

Why Billy Would Not be the Right Choice

People are once again clamouring for Billy Davies to return as manager, as I write this Mick McCarthy has seemingly turned down the job, and the reasons are not fully clear yet. Now that the likely option has been and gone, the pro Davies gang are out in force again.

However Davies would be a horrific choice right now and I shall explain why. Not just that Davies burned a lot of bridges with the previous regime and does with every board that he has ever worked for, and not for his commuting from Glasgow.

It essentially boils down to the fact it will not end well at all. Davies likes, in fact demands control over transfer activity. We saw that all too clearly when he clashed over the now infamous Acquisitions Panel and David Pleats role in that. There were wars over the fact Davies wanted players that the panel didn’t agree with and that the panel provided players Davies didn’t want. George Boyd is an example of this.

Now one thing that is clear is that the board will be involving themselves heavily in transfers and would look to bring in some Middle Eastern players. Davies does not like this. So in any recruitment phase when they ask the Scotsman about this, I am pretty certain he would make it clear he is against it, as some are saying McCarthy has done.

Ok, he doesn’t have to play them, but under Doughty he pretty much had free reign over the players he had in his squad, we still don't know if there will be board level input into this. Davies would have board level liked players foisted upon him.

Davies is a fiery character who doesn’t like interference, to be honest who would, and I cannot see him being given free reign here. There are reports of deals already being done and Davies is pig headed enough to potentially ignore these players regardless as they aren’t his.

Davies holds this aura amongst some fans that puzzle me, they claim it was always good football under him, and yes sometimes it was, but there were times it was bloody awful too. His abrasive personality makes him notoriously difficult to work with. Any new regime would not want someone who questions their decisions or judgement. They’d want a more complimentary figure, someone who sings from the same sheet as them. This is not Davies. And that is why he would be an appalling choice to work with the al-Hasawi family.

The Press Conference

Yesterday saw the Al Hasawi's hold their first, highly anticipated press conference since taking charge of Nottingham Forest.

With a few hundred Forest fans turning out for such a momentus occasion, there was a general feeling of excitement and positivity - one I personally haven't felt for a good while around the City Ground.

A lucky 100 season ticket holders had the opportunity to meet the owners and ask questions in the 1865 club. Those who didn't have a ticket needn't have worried as the Al Hasawi's left the Robin Hood lounge multiple times throughout the day to meet the fans. Each time they did, they were greeted with jubilant cheers, applause and chants.

Its here I must add, one of these chants was the ever grating 'we want our Billy back'. It's a shame even with a new beginning, some people still see him as the be all and end all to our problems. It is also these very people who chant this song that don't see Mick McCarthy as a good option due to his PL record. I'll say no more.

To briefly summarise the press conference:

Al Hasawi's on the new manager
* Hope to appoint a new manager within a week.
* Currently 4 to 5 'iconic' names on their list of people who will be interviewed. Selected best in business to help us who have experience at this level.
* Have been approached by many and made contact with several.
* Have not spoken to Glen Hoddle.
* Didn't deny they had spoken to Harry Redknapp.
* New manager will be given traditional style of English football management and will be in total control.

Al Hasawi's on the board
* Everyone on the board will work as team. This means we will have no chairman.
* Frank Clark will become an ambassador for the club.
* Mark Arthur will continue to play an active role in the club.

Al Hasawi's on their business plan
* Currently reviewing a 3 to 5 year business plan to take the club back where it belongs in the Premier League.
* Main focus is to develop the clubs back bone.
* Also looking at other developments elsewhere including raising revenue off field.
* They will practice want they achieved at previous club. This was a smaller plan which took 2 or 3 seasons to set up the team.
* Acknowledge the investment in the academy has been excellent and want to continue this.
* One day would like to be with Manchester City and United in the top flight.
* If investment was unsuccessful, they will stay at the club as their ownership is about passion, not profit.

Al Hasawi's on why they chose Nottingham Forest
* Have been approached by many clubs but were picky with who thry decided to choose in the end.
* Forest is very important as it is a great club with lots of achievement and history.
* They have fond memories of the club from studying in England in the 70s and 80s and it will be good to bring them back.

Al Hasawi's on the transfer budget
* Immediate concern is to develop the team so they can bring back glory.
* Have a budget for the new manager but will not reveal this figure at this stage.

Al Hasawi's on Arabic players
* Have plans to bring some Arabic players to the club for a trial but it is the managers choice if he wants to sign them, not theirs.

And that was that. A positive press conference, with the Al Hasawi's saying all the right things regarding the future of the club.

Maybe there was some contradictions, particularly how the new manager will have full control but they will be planning to bring over Arabic players for trials.

I'd argue the manager should have total control to the point of who comes in on trial. Remember last season when Pleat organised trials for players without the managers consent? It resulted in McClaren turning up to one training session with no idea who some of the people were and losing his rag.

Either way having a night to sleep on it, my initial scepticism has gone and I do feel encouraged we have some owners who have good ideas and plans, with realistic time frames to achieve their goals.

Prepare yourself for a busy week ahead.

Follow me on twitter @benando_torres

The Candidates

So enough with the conjecture. There has been a fantastic amount of guesswork going off on Twitter and Facebook and forums about the new boss. We review the potential candidates being pushed forward (seeing as most of our names we included the other day are no goes)

Mick McCarthy
Well, the outspoken and often entertaining (for a quote anyway) Yorkshireman is one of the fore runners. Basically since Wolves he's been on pundit duty, and would probably relish a new chance to have another promotion on his CV. I personally like McCarthy, his football can be a bit agricultural admittedly, but he gets results at this level.

Roy Keane
If it wasn't for his club connection I'm not sure if this would be met with the same interest/ His record isn't fantastic, he struggled with Ipswich, but he is the "iconic" type of name the Kuwaiti's want, and he is ex Forest. He does also have a massive point to prove after recent failures.

Keven Keegan
This one was from left field. I never thought it was a possibility, or even entertained the notion of it. Keegan has his detractors, but projects like have bough out the best in him, initially when Newcastle first got John halls cash, and then with Al-Fayad at Fulham before England came calling. The question is I guess is he still relevant? Is he someone top players would want to play for? That would remain a doubt for me.

Glenn Hoddle
Diamond Lights aside a pretty successful career in all he has done. Swindon, Chelsea and Tottenham were all largely good periods, and although England crashed out in Euro 2000 early after almost beating Argentina in World Cup 98. I think had we won that game people would remember Hoddle a lot differently. Problems are that of course he became infamous for comments about the disabled, Eileen Drewery, and his love of Kenny G.

Diego Maradona
If you told me a week ago this would even be mentioned never mind almost seriously I'd have laughed in your face. But no, its out there as a possibility. He's available after a spell in the middle east and would again be that "iconic" name. The question is is he nay good. Argentina might have done better in spite of him at the last world cup. Can he speak English? That's another potential barrier. But for shear headlines and media attention.... Couldn't be bettered.

Phil Scolari
Oh yeah the Forest "fan" from Brazil. He's been with the Hasawi's before in Kuwait so they know him well. One major stumbling block, he's employed with Palmeiras. Who are doing rather well (they just won the Brazilian Cup) Why people think he'd come back to England after his spell at Chelsea I am unsure. I think it's a case of putting 2 and 2 together and adding up to 27.

Other names mentioned in passing, Graeme Souness, Darren Ferguson (still), Bryan Roy, Laurent Blanc, Dougie Freedman

Cotterill Gone..... And Probably Clark and Arthur

Well this is shaping up to be a very hectic few days, made all the harder by my home computer being out of action. So Cotterill is no longer the manager of Nottingham Forest. Which to be honest I remain indifferent to. On the one hand I don’t think he was bad and was never really given a chance, but on the other he never really excited me as a manager.

Yes he had a good record in the market, and bought us two cult legends in Elokobi and Guedioura. However, there were often strange selection choices and questionable post match interviews.

It also marks a huge moment in the new ownership. After a day or so and 2 days of pre season training and 4 days before the squad head to America, we are now rudderless. I expect a very quick appointment. I.e. they already have their man lined up and ready to move in to the role. I hope so anyway. I have no idea who that man may well be.

I have spoken at length about some of those options, and criticised some of those linked names. Now the likelihood of some of them increases (though in Redknapps case I doubt it.)What it immediately spells out to me is the new regime are not afraid to chop and change where they see fit, this partly worries me. I don’t want a chairman who always has his finger on the trigger, ready to sack a manager on any old whim. This doesn’t necessarily mean that, they perhaps do want a long term legacy, just not Steve Cotterill. So let’s see what happens there.

Cotterill was divisive figure amongst fans. Many disliked him, many supported him. He didn’t unite the fans like some and that always counted against him.
I am writing this in the immediate aftermath before any real news or gossip begins to emanate about replacements or the actual reasons why. There will be speculation. I have already seen that it’s the new bosses already buying in players above the manager’s head, needing essentially a yes man. Think Abramovic, but also think Venky’s.

A huge moment in this regimes fledgling tenure. I say tenure, it may be a dynasty. Who knows?

And now after I have written this and don’t want to edit it looks like, and somewhat expectedly Mark Arthur and Frank Clark are going to be also relieved of their duties. Wholesale changes appear to be going on today at the City Ground. Almost fees like a City Ground Night of the Long Knives.

Takeover Complete - Now Let's Get Back to Reality

As most of you will be aware, the Al-Hasawi family completed their purchase of Forest from the estate of Nigel Doughty last night.

Of course, great news considering many weeks back we never dreamed a day like this would come.

Like every new owner at a club, the communication from the Al-Hasawi's to the fans is one of excitement and positivity for the times ahead, which is already proving mutual.

How much they are worth I still find is unclear. I see them dubbed as 'mega rich' but never see any figures.

Now I'm not being pessimistic, I'm as delighted as any we can rebuild and look forwards to a new beginning. I'm also confident Doughty's estate wouldn't have sold the club to anybody considering they're both fans of the club and would be keen for a return on the loans Nigel put into the club over the years.

I guess sceptical is the right word due to examples of how foreign investment can go wrong in clubs like Portsmouth, Blackburn and Birmingham. The obvious flip side to this is the likes of Man City and Chelsea, something we can only ever dream of.

This is obvious, and in saying that I'm covering no new ground. In fact, I don't believe I am alone in being pleased with a hint of scepticism about the takeover and the future. I guess we will see what happens.

As things stand though, I guess all I can ask of the new board and fellow fans is to be realistic with expectations for the season ahead.

We certainly do not want the Al-Hasawi's to pull any PR stunts similar to what other clubs have done to get the fans on side. Historically, they never pay off - even at Man City the first thing they did was buy Robinho, who was sold on for half the price inside two years.

These stunts may create a buzz and drum up a few extra season ticket sales. Fact of the matter is the Al-Hasawi's buying the club alone has already done this. Why do they need to do anything crazy? In fact we have been in and out the papers for a majority of last season, do we really want this to continue?

The goal for me this season, is to establish ourselves in the middle of the table. It's not a low expectation and I question why should we be looking for promotion when the current squad is unbalanced and, following recent departures, would be one of the favourites to go down?

We could well be 'mega rich' but its uncommon that big investment produces immediate success at higher levels. Look how it worked out for Leicester last season.

Rebuilding the squad smartly and trying to link up the financial fairplay regulations would be the best and most achievable thing they can do for the club. In fact, they will be putting our best interests at heart immediately.

To help rebuild the squad, I would not change the manager either. Cotterill knows what and who he wants to sign for his playing and non-playing staff. There are lots of gaps to be filled and if he was given say £4m-£6m to spend, I'm confident he would build a great squad that would link up well.

Despite his critics, few could argue with the loanees he signed in January, which transformed our season. He went on to build a strong tactic to dominate teams, particularly away from home. It's clear he has a vision of what he wants and I am all for him having the chance to act it out - although a replacement for Sean O'Driscoll will support him.

What you must remember is Cotterill has never had much to spend throughout his career as a manager. It's alright saying he will not get us up but in fairness to him, he has never been given a budget or mission to get a club promoted - less so on the latter with Notts County. He is an unknown quantity in this respect but I am confident he can stabilise and help kick us on.

But I can not emphasise enough that this season we must be realistic and aim to finish mid-table. Anything else really will be a bonus and we simply can't get carried away with a promotion dream that isn't really achievable at the moment.

There will be lots of ridiculous rumours about who is coming in - Maradona and Michael Owen being two within hours of the takeover being confirmed - and we need to keep grounded as fans.

Today is a new beginning and while we all want glory now, it's vital we build a strong plan of how we will get to the Premier League and stay there in the next five years.

Patience and realism are good starting points to work from.

Follow me on twitter @benando_torres

Manager Merry Go Round?

Considering we haven’t replaced the manager, confirmed the manager is leaving, or for that what the Al Hasawi family intend, it beggars belief to see the names that have been banded round as potential successors to a man who is still very the incumbent in his job.

Steve Cotterill achieved his one target he was set last season. Keep the club up. In the end we did this relatively calmly. Which as many of the fans were adamant we would NEVER stay up with this man in charge is funny. Also considering that his trading had been effective too. People cite some selection choices as odd, but he achieved what was asked, no more, no less.

I have already vaguely covered some of the silly season rumours, mainly players but covering Harry Redknapp, who has never worked for a more northerly club than Spurs, and how that isn’t going to happen in a year of Sundays, never mind a month.

However some of the other names chucked at this have been odd. Or peoples suggestions on Twitter and Facebook about who the next manager should be. |I have kept a mental note of some of my favourites, but also some of the more saner balanced ones (which even then seem a bit outlandish)

Mick McCarthy
I’m going to put my cards on the table here and be honest that I actually like Mick, his no nonsense style is what I like, his press conferences are often a bit odd, and anyone who stands up to Roy Keane is going to be able to deal with some of our prima donnas. That said, people already aren’t’ happy with Cotterill, and for my money McCarthy isn’t a whole sale different change. He uses a lot of players a criticism some point at Cotterill, and if the aim is promotion, then sure Mick’s good at that, but he struggles to keep a team up. If Cotterill was replaced with McCarthy I wouldn’t be unhappy per se, I just think perhaps we could do better.

Neil Warnock
This is one rumour that won’t go away. Perhaps down to any Paladini involvement, despite being assured he isn’t involved, and that he himself was accused of tapping up Ferguson jnr. Anyway Warnock and Forest haven’t had the best history. For one being ex County doesn’t help. Then there was the Sheffield United run ins. Warnock and Megson had some angry war or words (and I was told, and I stress this is pure rumour, that Warnock had called his goldfish Megson and Forest because goldfish sink) He seems like he’s trying to build something at Leeds, and keeps saying this job will be his last in Football. Plus I can’t stand the guy.

Michael Owen
Oh yes, not content enough with linking him as a player, I saw a few people (yes a few, not one or two) suggest, by tweeting at him directly he should be our next player manager..... Yes because that worked so well with David Platt didn’t it. The very idea of an entirely untried manager scares me so much, that the mind boggles. I know people need to cut their teeth, but not in such a risky environment. A Gary Neville type figure, maybe if we’re desperate, but do we really want a guy who’s still got playing aspirations? I know it’s just a few random nuts tweeting, but please shut up.

Steve Bruce
Well done for missing out completely he has another job, unless they merely assume he will give up Hull after 1 month and not managing a game. Bravo, idiot.

Stuart Pearce
Simply not going to happen anyway. However, come the start of the season and of course therefore the next few weeks he is managing Team GB, you really want to start a season with a manager who is In Absentia, thus not being able to either a) sign the players who he wants. B) Coach the squad how he wants to play. Or C) Give it any of his focus whatsoever? Yeah what an ingenious plan that won’t lead to us being in trouble whatsoever. Seriously, do people stop and think before throwing this crap out there? I’m also going to go out on a limb and suggest he isn’t a very good manager anyway, what did he spend on Giorgos Samaras? How long did City go without scoring at home? Exactly. Sorry Stuart, you’re a legend, but to retain that legacy, it might be best to not come back and potentially ruin it. Not that I am saying he would fail, but his record hasn’t been as Billy Davies would say, “stellar.”

Billy Davies
Lets leave the past in the past. The fact that a decent proportion of fans don’t want him back, admittedly with an equal number wanting him back, I am not sure it would all end in roses. For a start I would demand he move down south permanently instead of commuting from Glasgow, or whatever he did. You’d have to try and keep him on a tighter leash to the press. I don’t think it’s ever a good idea to go back in football, yes there are successes, but then there’s Kenny Dalglish.



Discuss this and more at the Forest Forum on Soccer 24-7

Departure of Lynch and Chambers

So Chambers has gone and Lynch looks to be joining him, is this such a bad thing?

Well yes and no. On the hand you like a stable defence that knows each other. A team’s success depends on its back 4 being stable and resolute. Teams who have failed have invariably been down o a defence that is chopped and changed. Arsenals weak points in the season came when the defence wasn’t stable. Manchester United failings came when it was tinkered with. Chelsea’s season nearly was disastrous as the defence was in flux. Manchester City, well they usually kept to a solid defence, and only struggled when that was in disarray. So you live and die by your defence.

That said it may be time to form new partnerships and a new team. OK Chambers flattered to deceive a lot, but Lynch mostly had a solid season after a couple of years of being deployed at Left back, finally het got his chance in the middle, and grasped it. Our season settled when the defence settled. Gunter, Chambers, Lynch and Cunningham. Now we have one of those. On the hand this gives an excellent opportunity for Lascelles to stake his claim for the team.

It is also a chance to bring in quality defenders. Chambers needed to move on in my opinion, after being installed as captain and having a shaky season; it was always going to be difficult to retain that status quo. More so after his attack on the fans. Chambers had a mixed history with Forest, with many fans never really forgetting his haphazard early displays. Cunningham was a difficult example, settling into a strange struggling team as a young left back was always going to be a struggle. He eventually settled but you don’t need eventually, you need immediately.

So a chance with new funding to form a new back 4 may well work out. I’d argue we need an experience head back there for sure, and Danny Higginbotham would be a great example or even Clint Hill, however I fear their wages may be too high even with the potential new funds. Lascelles would need an old head next to him. Like Walker with Dawson, and Breckin with Morgan, an old fashioned aerial centre half. Lascelles can have the pace. Someone like, but obviously not Chris Morgan. Physical. Determined. Uncompromising.

Left back spot just needs filling permanently, no stop gaps. Just someone whose job that is. Freeman can cover if and when needed for odd games; increase his match time in the Championship after lower league learning curves. Elokobi would be perfect, he has experience at this level, now knows the club and the fans took to him well. He would be popular

Fans Need to Remain Grounded and Patient

I have warned repeatedly over the perils of the foreign takeover not always being what it seems. Beware of people selling you magic beans and all that. This isn’t so much as one those pieces, but more a reminder to fans that wealth investment do not always = success.

What we need to is for fans to remain patient, I fear seeing peoples excitement and happiness around the takeover that there are also a number who seem to think that Ladbrokes might as well close the book on promotion already.

It isn’t that simple. It rarely is. Leicester had large investment with poor results. Other teams will be similarly spending sums to go up and with a better starting point than us. Bolton, Blackburn and Wolves will be seeking promotion. Wolves midfield is strong enough for them to let Adlene Guedioura at least out on loan last season and probably to sell this season. He was one of our, if not, best players last season. He’s a reject now there. Contenders for sure.

Additionally it will take time for a new squad to settle in. A whole new defence near enough needs to be signed. New wingers need to be bought in. Our squad may be long term competitive, but will need stability. Which won’t be people calling for the managers head half way through the season. Especially with potentially trigger happy new owners, we don’t know if they will be hire and fire them people, like you get in Italy, or trust and give time to a manager.

Any current players we have may be looking over their backs in early games, fearful that they might be replaced any time (if there are significant funds) Ok this sometimes gee’s up some players and makes them perform week in week out, others get nervous and jittery. It can work both ways.

The fans were sometimes mentioned by players (notably Chambers in that infamous post match interview) as being too quick to get on the teams backs. That need to stop. It cannot continue. I get hat last season fans were frustrated and that yes you pay your way into the stadium so should be allowed to deride them if you feel. However it’s not productive, it’d be better to channel that same energy into supporting the team, spurring them on rather than detracting from them.

And all in all the new board will take time to settle, to perhaps understand what it is to run a football club. Al Hasawi has run them before in Kuwait, but that is simply not going to b the same type of entity as Forest is. For that reason they may take time to adjust to see where funds need be allocated better (wages, transfers etc) and how to channel all this into this aim they have of a new stadium somewhere. And they key to that is making sure it is in Nottingham, and not out of town in the middle of nowhere, those developments feel removed from the place they represent.

The Ridiculous Rumour Mill is in Full Swing

People Say the Silliest Things

Ok so this potential new found wealth has started people saying some of the daftest comments on the likes of Twitter, Facebook and forums, about whom we should sign or who should be manager. Some of these will be jokes, and tongue in cheek comments. Unfortunately most aren’t, and people actually believe we could pull off these signings.


Harry Redknapp
Yes some people think that fresh from finishing 4th in the Premier League, and coming so close to the England job, that the only place for Redknapp to go is Forest. Not to any other number of high profile top flight jobs. That’s before you consider the bloke wouldn’t leave his South Coast home (think about the job’s he’s had, Tottenham is the most northerly he’s been), so would have a hell of a commute. Though the car park at Forest would be perfect for his car window press interviews.

Michael Owen
A free agent after his recent spell at Manchester United came to an end; he is looking for a new club. Never mind top flight teams have been linked. Never mind there are supposedly huge contract offers from the Middle East, people still think the 31 year old former England international would come to Forest. I think he’d still be brilliant at this level. But he isn’t going to lower himself to the Championship just yet.

Andrea Pirlo
I kid you not, there were some comments suggesting we should sign Pirlo. Now this is probably one of those tongue in cheek comments I referred to, but you never know, people will look at his age and think he must be on the decline and we can sign anyone. The guys just had an amazing Euros, plays for Juventus and will be the Champions League; this isn’t going to happen on any level.

Jordan Rhodes
Compared to the previous names this is remotely feasible. But it isn’t going to happen. His stock is rising; any move from Huddersfield would surely be to a top flight team, who will be monitoring his Championship progress closely. He would also cost somewhere around the £6mill mark, which for a Championship club would be a ridiculous figure to spend (although Leicester and Matt Mills spring to mind)


Romelu Lukaku
Apparently, some think we should try and loan the Chelsea youngster Lukaku, who has been agitating for first team football. That would be top flight first team football. The guy rightly or wrongly has a fairly strong opinion of his ability, believing he should get more opportunities at Chelsea, that’s European Champions Chelsea, he thinks he should be in their team, so it would be all but miraculous for him to think I better lower myself to Forest, when he believes he should be in the European Champions team. Ridiculous. People have been playing Football Manager too much if they think that’s achievable.