I have often commented that the average Forest fan online only seems to be happy when he has something to moan about. This makes the life of a Forest blogger easy, as we either take sides or deride those moaning, all for easy hits.
But this week’s announcement of the biggest non story to hit Trentside since Wesley Verhoek didn’t sign, we announced that we are now not moving away fans after Forest fans asked the club not to. This is after the club announced they were moving away fans because the club asked them to do so. Confusing? Yes. Ridiculous? Even more so.
I did accuse a number of Bridgford Stand residents of a form of Nimbyism previously. Happy to see away fans moved but not if it’s in their back yard. Now it seems they will get their way and some other part of the stadium will perhaps be looked at to move the away contingent to.
This is all out of nothing. None of this needed to happen. We could quite easily have done nothing. But this is Forest. Why have a quiet peaceful time during a summer when you do something to pointlessly rile people.
So what now? Some of have said that they could go in the often left empty blocks in the Brian Clough upper and lower tiers, neatly forgetting a very basic element of not having enough exits. There is no way I can see away fans being put into the BC upper without some kind of remediation work that would see pointless costs attributed to the club to keep Mr Blogges of Upper Bridgford Tier happy.
The lower tier has catered to away fans previously, when in league e One with tiny allocations and when we renovated the Trent End. Some have said just give away fans that small section anyway forgetting that a large away following can mean extra revenue. It’s not like we sell out the City ground every week is it?
So now we have had the embarrassing escapade where fans are already moaning before the players have unpacked their suitcases after holidays. People are accusing the cub of not knowing what it’s doing, and yes I think they may have rushed this through, but this is what happens when you try to please a Forest fan. A different Forest fan moans. Now that’s life, different people like different things, but the moment you start to appease the vocal minorities, all you ended up doing is agitating and annoying the silent majority. And it is a majority. I don’t think the larger number of fans were contacting Fawaz to say shift the fans. Though he does get his fair share of embarrassingly misguided tweets sent to him. I do think Fawaz reacted to what people suggested, and that Billy wanted it to appease fans, and to make a happy stadium, and he is learning that this simply doesn’t work.
I’ve often spoken of a guy who sits near me who is never happy, if we win 5-0 he’ll be unhappy we didn’t’ get 6. There will be guys like him all around the ground, sitting moaning, being able to vent the frustrations they have in their lives at the ground as just another voice in the cacophony. These are the ones probably contact Fawaz with their “What’s wrong with Forest this week” lists. And so this new regime looks like it has set out to listen to the crazies. Now they know they are being listened to it might get more outlandish. Remember we had a previous regime that was fairly stand offish. Didn’t get overly involved, and now we swerved the other way, there might be more similar incidents.
But yeah in a nutshell, it just seems that people just love moaning. The latest wave seeing people moaning at the people moaning. This is all getting a bit Inception now on the moaning. Maybe this is a moan about moaning, about moaning. We’re in deep now people.
Roll on the pre season and making signings to take people’s minds off it. (Though people are moaning at lack of signings)
Moan Over.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Jimmy's Royal Call
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| Hasselbaink at Forest |
Congratulations to former First team Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink who has got a manager’s job in Belgium with Royal Antwerp. The club are probably most famous as being a stamping ground for many a Manchester United youngster in the last decade or so, seeing as they have a long term tie in with United. Players like John O’Shea, Ryan Shawcross, Jonny Evans and Darron Gibson all had stints there as well as former Forest loanees Danny Higginbotham and Lee Martin.
Jimmy ‘s departure from the club was one that a number of fans lamented. He always seemed to have drive and grit and determination for the club, and was often seen hurtling down the line at the ends of games to collect a ball to quickly get it back in play, or haranguing a third official.
Bought to the club he survived the McClaren dismissal, staying during the Cotterill era, and then also retained by Sean O’Driscoll, he was culled during the McLeish take over. There had been rumours after McLeish dismissal he may have been offered the Forest job, which of course turned out to be false.
So good luck in the Belgian second flight Jimmy.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Righteous Indignation in The Bridgford Stand
I’ll make it clear from the start, I sit in the Trent End, so all the cling and clatter about the Bridgford End I find both interesting yet also quite bizarre.
The club revealed at the back end of the last season that after consultation and what with Billy’s wishes that they wanted to move home fans into the Lower Bridgford and move the away fans. A lot of people cheered when Billy said as much in his speech.
We have been assured that this was down to supporter pressure that this is what fans want, and most people seem to agree it’s a good idea.
However like most ideas it’s only good if it doesn’t adversely affect me. It’s nimbyism in the football ground. “I’d love to move the away fans, but can’t you put them somewhere else” seems to the sentiment.
I understand that people attachments to where they sit, I have sat in the same seat now for 8 seasons, after previously sitting in the same seat for 5 seasons, so I get the attachment. What puzzles me is that people seem to think they have entitlement and ownership of that place.
I was going to read my season ticket from last season to back this up, but I’m pretty sure any small print will discuss that the club has the right to move peoples seats around should the need arise. I can’t be sure, but I bet something along those lines is on it or in the small print when you buy it. After all it’s the club who own your seat, your just paying for a reserved spot every week to sit there. Just so happens to be the same reserved spot for ease or organisation.
People just don’t like change. Whether it be necessary or not. I’m sure there are those who rallied against the building of all seater stands, but sometimes needs overrides desire.
I do however think that this will make no difference. People discuss it maybe bringing us extra points, but I don’t see it. It does however seem that we will reduce away allocations as a result, which could mean loss of match day revenues for big games. Some fans have supported reducing their numbers, which is all well and good, but some of these always moan about the allocations given to us by other clubs. The fact is we rarely sold out the ground last season so reducing the numbers that might come to games is naive.
It seems that after all the PR disasters last season the regime wanted to bring more fans on side, prove they are listening, whilst at the same time not consulting with those directly affected. This would have been so much easier had they not sold tickets in that tier already and people who thought they knew they were sitting there might now not. Then they wouldn’t have a leg to stand on in any argument, and would just quietly chunter away.
There are usual suspects on Twitter who would moan about this regardless. I think we all know the people who just seem to moan for moanings sake. They are the ones constantly retweeting petitions and claiming the club have no right (they do) to do what they are doing. Righteous Indignation.
All this said, this might not even go ahead. There is a consultancy phase to go through and it might be rejected as just not doable. It has been pointed out having away fans above the home fans might not be a god idea as they could easily shower us with various missiles and liquids all game. Those mentioning this clearly have guilty consciences and this is precisely what some did to the away fans.
Additionally this is really the only place it can happen as the Brian Clough stand has no chance of being used. It has limited entrance and exits. It doesn’t have the chance to partition sections. It’s just not versatile.
Of course away fans always used to be in that corner on the terrace. My first game memories were standing on the Bridgford in 1988-1992 era often near to the away fans. SO for people to feign surprise are either young or forgetful that this where we thought to put them. History is on the clubs side.
The price factor has also been mentioned, which I guess is a far more valid point than any. But if people are concerned at price then come on over to the Trent End Upper dark side my friends. We might even get that stand jumping again.
It seems with Forest at times, as with any decisions, whether it be sacking managers, setting ticket prices, signing players, that you’re damned if you and damned if you don’t. The fans won’t be happy with either decision, but you know what? It’s not ours to make
.
The club revealed at the back end of the last season that after consultation and what with Billy’s wishes that they wanted to move home fans into the Lower Bridgford and move the away fans. A lot of people cheered when Billy said as much in his speech.
We have been assured that this was down to supporter pressure that this is what fans want, and most people seem to agree it’s a good idea.
However like most ideas it’s only good if it doesn’t adversely affect me. It’s nimbyism in the football ground. “I’d love to move the away fans, but can’t you put them somewhere else” seems to the sentiment.
I understand that people attachments to where they sit, I have sat in the same seat now for 8 seasons, after previously sitting in the same seat for 5 seasons, so I get the attachment. What puzzles me is that people seem to think they have entitlement and ownership of that place.
I was going to read my season ticket from last season to back this up, but I’m pretty sure any small print will discuss that the club has the right to move peoples seats around should the need arise. I can’t be sure, but I bet something along those lines is on it or in the small print when you buy it. After all it’s the club who own your seat, your just paying for a reserved spot every week to sit there. Just so happens to be the same reserved spot for ease or organisation.
People just don’t like change. Whether it be necessary or not. I’m sure there are those who rallied against the building of all seater stands, but sometimes needs overrides desire.
I do however think that this will make no difference. People discuss it maybe bringing us extra points, but I don’t see it. It does however seem that we will reduce away allocations as a result, which could mean loss of match day revenues for big games. Some fans have supported reducing their numbers, which is all well and good, but some of these always moan about the allocations given to us by other clubs. The fact is we rarely sold out the ground last season so reducing the numbers that might come to games is naive.
It seems that after all the PR disasters last season the regime wanted to bring more fans on side, prove they are listening, whilst at the same time not consulting with those directly affected. This would have been so much easier had they not sold tickets in that tier already and people who thought they knew they were sitting there might now not. Then they wouldn’t have a leg to stand on in any argument, and would just quietly chunter away.
There are usual suspects on Twitter who would moan about this regardless. I think we all know the people who just seem to moan for moanings sake. They are the ones constantly retweeting petitions and claiming the club have no right (they do) to do what they are doing. Righteous Indignation.
All this said, this might not even go ahead. There is a consultancy phase to go through and it might be rejected as just not doable. It has been pointed out having away fans above the home fans might not be a god idea as they could easily shower us with various missiles and liquids all game. Those mentioning this clearly have guilty consciences and this is precisely what some did to the away fans.
Additionally this is really the only place it can happen as the Brian Clough stand has no chance of being used. It has limited entrance and exits. It doesn’t have the chance to partition sections. It’s just not versatile.
Of course away fans always used to be in that corner on the terrace. My first game memories were standing on the Bridgford in 1988-1992 era often near to the away fans. SO for people to feign surprise are either young or forgetful that this where we thought to put them. History is on the clubs side.
The price factor has also been mentioned, which I guess is a far more valid point than any. But if people are concerned at price then come on over to the Trent End Upper dark side my friends. We might even get that stand jumping again.
It seems with Forest at times, as with any decisions, whether it be sacking managers, setting ticket prices, signing players, that you’re damned if you and damned if you don’t. The fans won’t be happy with either decision, but you know what? It’s not ours to make
.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Could We Be About to Sign a Winger?
I have seen very strong rumours this morning, and been told by a source who has been right in the past (and i stress that, this may be wrong) that we are poised to sign Shrewsbury winger Jon Taylor. I don’t usually blindly say this and that is going to happen as I have been stung before on rumours that come to me, and leave myself to commenting on other rumours, rather than making them. It’s out there that we’re after him, but I have been told this is all but a done deal.
I will confess at this stage that I know next to nothing about this guy, in fact when told of the rumour I knew so little i had to go away and Wiki the player in questions.
Here’s what we do know.
20 year old winger for Shrewsbury, after being released by Wigan as a youngster. Born in Liverpool, and is 5’11, which isn’t a terrible height for a winger. Now which side exactly the numerous sites I have checked are unclear, so you have to start assume right sidedness, but that’s a guess. The fact no site singles out which side suggests he’s comfortable on both wings (most wingers are these days) He also gets a few goals. Wingers are EXACTLY what we need.
It’s exactly the type of player I suggested in the FFP post the other day we should get. Young up and coming, wages will be less, and potential future profits if he’s a star have to be considered (all part of the great FFP picture) That and I believe they are hungrier than a player on fat wages moving down the leagues, who feel they have nothing to prove anymore.
Leicester are being linked, as well as numerous other Championship clubs being suggested to be sniffing around. Palace are waiting to see where they end up, Millwall fans seem to want him though they aren’t going to be signing anyone till they get a new manager.
All in all it’s good even to be linked with these players, and if it comes off, all the better. We need to focus on these up and coming players which have been an area of transfer success for other clubs, whilst us signing Prem has beens isn’t working and never has.
No idea what this would cost. Not huge amounts. Even if he is out of contract there will be compensation due as he is only 20. It seems he might be looking at moving on as previously they fought tooth and nail to keep him last year and after a good season he wants to try his hand at the next level up.
If it doesn;t happen then I apologise. This is why I don’t like to go with this stuff (especially after the whole Bader thing) But it’s quiet and I needed something to write. This looks likely in my own personal opinion.
I will confess at this stage that I know next to nothing about this guy, in fact when told of the rumour I knew so little i had to go away and Wiki the player in questions.
Here’s what we do know.
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| Taylor of Shrewsbury |
It’s exactly the type of player I suggested in the FFP post the other day we should get. Young up and coming, wages will be less, and potential future profits if he’s a star have to be considered (all part of the great FFP picture) That and I believe they are hungrier than a player on fat wages moving down the leagues, who feel they have nothing to prove anymore.
Leicester are being linked, as well as numerous other Championship clubs being suggested to be sniffing around. Palace are waiting to see where they end up, Millwall fans seem to want him though they aren’t going to be signing anyone till they get a new manager.
All in all it’s good even to be linked with these players, and if it comes off, all the better. We need to focus on these up and coming players which have been an area of transfer success for other clubs, whilst us signing Prem has beens isn’t working and never has.
No idea what this would cost. Not huge amounts. Even if he is out of contract there will be compensation due as he is only 20. It seems he might be looking at moving on as previously they fought tooth and nail to keep him last year and after a good season he wants to try his hand at the next level up.
If it doesn;t happen then I apologise. This is why I don’t like to go with this stuff (especially after the whole Bader thing) But it’s quiet and I needed something to write. This looks likely in my own personal opinion.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
So What Will This Season Be Remembered For?
Yes we came so close, but at the end of the day when in future times you look back it’s been pretty much run of the mill in some regards, and yet at the same time has seen more turmoil than we’ve ever known. Those crazy days of January and February and everything that went with seem like a distant memory, almost like a past event you’re not sure was actually real or you just dreamt it.
For all the fact we remain where we were, in the Championship, and that we have done a 2 year full circle back to Billy Davies being in charge, it feels like same old same old, whereas so much has happened.
The playing squad was revolutionised. The first XI now compared to a year ago bears a striking difference save for 2-3 names. A new chairman, a returning manager and back room, but everything else at the club is different.
Remember when the bloke from Sky, Rob Dorsett told us we were all doomed with the al-Hasawi’s. That because we’d sacked his mates, we clearly had idiots running the club, rather than people having taken stock of how things were going were clearly unhappy. Remember that? Because a few of you lapped it up and agreed. I had a twitter argument with one clown convinced we were for the drop. I bet that guy would now disclaim all knowledge of any such conversation, such is the way of trolling idiots on Twitter.
Again certain other websites who simply court controversy for hits are attempting to wobble the boat (let's face it, none of these blog sites or fans sites are completing amazing investigative journalism, nor are we causing great ripples with our damming views) by demanding to know the truth of Billy’s Advisor Jim Price being made the CEO, a role vacant since Mark Arthurs departure. Again a big change, but if it’s someone Billy works well with in that role, and as long as he’s competent, why does it matter? We all know it’s a token position as Fawaz pulls the stings round here.
And it’s some of Fawaz details that we might remember most. The fact we were promised iconic managers and were delivered O’Driscoll. The massive signing in January, and being deliver (though competant and capable, not a huge name) in Gonzalo Reyes Jara. The detractors love these throwaway quotes, often mis translated or Fawaz not realising that fans pick up on every word and use them against you when things don’t go swimmingly. That’s before we get to the whole George Boyd situation, which though embarrassing and potentially damaging to the reputation of the club did mean we got rid of Alex McLeish.
You almost forget he was here for that brief tenure. But yes, I just rechecked that I didn’t have a month long nightmare and that he was indeed our manager for a short while. In fact I almost forget, and more because that’s the nature of a football fan, and having a fairly short memory, the anger and dismay I felt on Boxing Day when we sacked Sean O’Driscoll.
There were the embarrassing stories surrounding declined credit cards and late wages to players that forced a few to question if these guys for real, which ultimately led to TV shots of Fawaz walking down a row of cars with Natalie Jackson telling us how much they all cost, in an attempt by a bloke in Kuwait trying to prove he was wealthy to some bloke watching in say Ilkeston. In all the periods of insanity at this club over the winter. It caused some compare them to the Venky's but other than being owned by a foreign family there the similarity seems to end. I hope so anyway.
Seasons are often judged and remembered by the Derby games, and the one at Pride Park was in that strange McLeish period. This is a season where the local games didn’t go well and that will be remembered. Especially with how the last game of the season went. And its that sense of so close yet so far away I’ll remember. This team was nearly there. They clearly never were good enough, and the table shows that, but we weren’t far away.
So what do you think? What will you remember this season for? You can tell us on the forum, on or the Facebook page.The forum is in the following link The Forum
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Potential Transfer Targets
I usually hold off a little longer, but with the end of the season comes people immediately chucking names round with reckless abandon. The most common names people suggest are those from the Championship relegated teams. Bristol City and Wolves squads having numerous potential signings. I’d mention Peterborough too, but somehow I don’t think they’ll want to do business with us anymore.
Christophe Berra
The big commanding Scottish defender is actually available on a free, his contract is expiring. Berra has played in the top flights of both Scotland (who hasn’t) and England with Wolves. An aerial big strong presence he could be used in an instead of Elliot Ward (who if you believe the rumours, Davies has said he won’t be signing, mind you the rumour also mentions health spa’s) I personally like Berra, we may have to act fast as his ex Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is wanting him at Ipswich (and maybe to replace Chambers) Rangers too were sniffing round but apparently can’t his wages, what with being lower league Scotland now. Whether it happens is another matter. It’s more a theoretical signing and an illustration of what’s out there.
Richard Foster
Scottish international, although limited caps wise, and only has a short term left on his Bristol City contract he is versatile. However in the same Halford is do we need multiple versatile defenders. That said versatility is a bonus and to have someone else who can fill in anywhere at the back on in midfield would be handy if he was available. However, this is only a player I’d look to sign on a cut price deal, rather than seeking out. May not be as expensive as some wages wise, and is relatively experienced.
Albert Adomah
A former target anyway, the pacey right winger (and what have we all said we’ve needed since McCleary left) might see his future away from League One. What kind of fee he commands is another matter. He has two years left on his contract. Now fees may not be an issue for Fawaz, and he is what we are crying out for a player of his ilk will be in demand. He has two years left on his deal so won’t be on the cheap, like some we may mention who have 1 left on deals. A bid in the region to test Bristol City’s financial resolve and to see if Adomah starts agitating for a move might be clever. Possibly rising to as much as £1-1.2 mill, no higher, as there are other choices out there. But certainly one to consider.
Greg Cunningham
Its funny the amount of ex targets are on this list. Cunningham of course spent a good proportion of last season at left back, and though he took a while to settle by the end of his stint he was doing enough to have a few fans wanting him signing up. Now he does have an extended contract with Bristol City, but again, we could seek to take him off them, or he might want to go, especially as he knows our club. Oh and he’s a left back. We know all about them. No, we don’t, we don’t ever have one. Not even Dan Harding.
Tom Heaton
The fact he came through Manchester Uniteds system and was around there for a while and the fact he has England U21 call ups alone; Heaton has an ok pedigree at this level. Apart from his time with Bristol City, with whom he signed a one year deal with the option of a second (that I’m not sure is/has being taken) means he may be available free or even cut price. Now I’m not saying Darlow isn’t good enough, but he’s a young keeper, and they will have a dip in form. Al-Rashidi and Evtimov are complete unknowns in a first team context. Billy also may well simply fancy another man between the sticks, not that Heaton has to be him, as I said this is just looking what the relegated teams have to potentially offer. Could be good competition for Darlow.
Adam Hammill
Another of those names of players we chased before but never got is Adam Hammill. He went from Barnsley to Wolves when we were after him, and to be fair back then Wolves were in the big time. Now after they have dropped through two divisions he might well be re-evaluating those options. Likely is as well as a player signed in the top flight and now being a League One club the club might seek to offload him. Hammill is still relatively young; the right side of 25, and is as we said with Adomah that tricky winger we are crying out for. But, and it’s a big but, Hammill was done for assault outside a Liverpool nightclub last October. Do we want this type of player at the club? If anything happened again would we be stuck with a Marlon King?
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake
Back to Wolves again and fairly established striker certainly at this level is United youngster Ebanks-Blake. He’s one of those players who will have barren patches that make you think his good years were flashes in a pan, but then he’ll come good again. At 27, he also isn’t too old to take a punt on, and he is a physical presence like we had with Marlon. The chances of taking him are good. He’s been at Wolves a long time, and might have wanted a move anyway, but with their drop and former top flight experience you have to think he’s certainly worth an enquiry. He is currently recovering from a long term injury though.
Bakary Sako
Like a pacey Andy Reid, this guy is a left sided midfielder with a left foot that could be a wand. He can certainly strike a ball and has been a rare high point in Wolves season. He looked against us at the City ground. But players of his type are mercurial talents. Can he do it across a whole season? I’ve only seen him in patches this season, and like a Taarabt or so he could be more of a hindrance on a field when not performing. I wouldn’t imagine he’d be cheap either.
Notable Mentions:
George Elokobi – just back from long term injury, so too risky fitness wise
Kevin Doyle- Would surely want too much money and a top flight move
Stephen Hunt – Talented but also trouble. Also how many slightly chubby Irish players do we want?
Stephen Ward – Linked previously, not convinced
Paul Anderson – You had your chance here, jog on.
 |
| Christophe Berra |
Christophe Berra
The big commanding Scottish defender is actually available on a free, his contract is expiring. Berra has played in the top flights of both Scotland (who hasn’t) and England with Wolves. An aerial big strong presence he could be used in an instead of Elliot Ward (who if you believe the rumours, Davies has said he won’t be signing, mind you the rumour also mentions health spa’s) I personally like Berra, we may have to act fast as his ex Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is wanting him at Ipswich (and maybe to replace Chambers) Rangers too were sniffing round but apparently can’t his wages, what with being lower league Scotland now. Whether it happens is another matter. It’s more a theoretical signing and an illustration of what’s out there.
Richard Foster
Scottish international, although limited caps wise, and only has a short term left on his Bristol City contract he is versatile. However in the same Halford is do we need multiple versatile defenders. That said versatility is a bonus and to have someone else who can fill in anywhere at the back on in midfield would be handy if he was available. However, this is only a player I’d look to sign on a cut price deal, rather than seeking out. May not be as expensive as some wages wise, and is relatively experienced.
 |
| Albert Adomah |
Albert Adomah
A former target anyway, the pacey right winger (and what have we all said we’ve needed since McCleary left) might see his future away from League One. What kind of fee he commands is another matter. He has two years left on his contract. Now fees may not be an issue for Fawaz, and he is what we are crying out for a player of his ilk will be in demand. He has two years left on his deal so won’t be on the cheap, like some we may mention who have 1 left on deals. A bid in the region to test Bristol City’s financial resolve and to see if Adomah starts agitating for a move might be clever. Possibly rising to as much as £1-1.2 mill, no higher, as there are other choices out there. But certainly one to consider.
Greg Cunningham
Its funny the amount of ex targets are on this list. Cunningham of course spent a good proportion of last season at left back, and though he took a while to settle by the end of his stint he was doing enough to have a few fans wanting him signing up. Now he does have an extended contract with Bristol City, but again, we could seek to take him off them, or he might want to go, especially as he knows our club. Oh and he’s a left back. We know all about them. No, we don’t, we don’t ever have one. Not even Dan Harding.
 |
| Tom Heaton |
Tom Heaton
The fact he came through Manchester Uniteds system and was around there for a while and the fact he has England U21 call ups alone; Heaton has an ok pedigree at this level. Apart from his time with Bristol City, with whom he signed a one year deal with the option of a second (that I’m not sure is/has being taken) means he may be available free or even cut price. Now I’m not saying Darlow isn’t good enough, but he’s a young keeper, and they will have a dip in form. Al-Rashidi and Evtimov are complete unknowns in a first team context. Billy also may well simply fancy another man between the sticks, not that Heaton has to be him, as I said this is just looking what the relegated teams have to potentially offer. Could be good competition for Darlow.
Adam Hammill
Another of those names of players we chased before but never got is Adam Hammill. He went from Barnsley to Wolves when we were after him, and to be fair back then Wolves were in the big time. Now after they have dropped through two divisions he might well be re-evaluating those options. Likely is as well as a player signed in the top flight and now being a League One club the club might seek to offload him. Hammill is still relatively young; the right side of 25, and is as we said with Adomah that tricky winger we are crying out for. But, and it’s a big but, Hammill was done for assault outside a Liverpool nightclub last October. Do we want this type of player at the club? If anything happened again would we be stuck with a Marlon King?
 |
| Sylvan Ebanks-Blake |
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake
Back to Wolves again and fairly established striker certainly at this level is United youngster Ebanks-Blake. He’s one of those players who will have barren patches that make you think his good years were flashes in a pan, but then he’ll come good again. At 27, he also isn’t too old to take a punt on, and he is a physical presence like we had with Marlon. The chances of taking him are good. He’s been at Wolves a long time, and might have wanted a move anyway, but with their drop and former top flight experience you have to think he’s certainly worth an enquiry. He is currently recovering from a long term injury though.
Bakary Sako
Like a pacey Andy Reid, this guy is a left sided midfielder with a left foot that could be a wand. He can certainly strike a ball and has been a rare high point in Wolves season. He looked against us at the City ground. But players of his type are mercurial talents. Can he do it across a whole season? I’ve only seen him in patches this season, and like a Taarabt or so he could be more of a hindrance on a field when not performing. I wouldn’t imagine he’d be cheap either.
Notable Mentions:
George Elokobi – just back from long term injury, so too risky fitness wise
Kevin Doyle- Would surely want too much money and a top flight move
Stephen Hunt – Talented but also trouble. Also how many slightly chubby Irish players do we want?
Stephen Ward – Linked previously, not convinced
Paul Anderson – You had your chance here, jog on.
FFP And Moving Forward
Next season will be harder to achieve the aims of promotion. You cannot just throw money at the issue anymore. On that same counter hand, if you have a good manager and Billy Davies has shown he is more than capable then surely its good a chance as any. Because no-one can splash the cash you won’t get a few cash rich clubs chucking money around to try and get up.
That said it makes it harder as it involves financial income and spending x% of it. Clubs who are coming down from the Premier League will have parachute payments.It does make you wonder what QPR and all their extremely high waged players will do.
What you have to consider as part of this is that Ishmael Miller and Matt Derbyshire have quite excessive wages we are about to lumbered with. As it stands now they aren’t on our pay roll, their loan clubs taking that burden on, so that’s best part of £30k a week in wages being swallowed up. That’s a sizeable chunk of the financial leeway taken up.
It is surprising how many Premiership squad fillers are on wages big enough to make us baulk, and apparently Gonzalo Jara Reyes is included. Face it he’s an international player with a reputable nation in the top flight, of course his wages will be artificially inflated. I laugh when people reckon these players would come to us “for footballing reasons” no no, it’ll all be about wages.
That said, there might be a cooling on excessive championship wages, but that will just mean less players willing to step down from the Premiership, and therefore an even weaker Championship.
There are the loop holes of course that many mention. How about naming rights, sponsorship deals and suchlike. Yes there have been huge deals for some club. Manchester City tried circumnavigating rules with the impressive £100 mill deal for naming rights of their stadium by Etihad Airways. Coincidentally the ownership structure at both Etihad and City include the same big hitters. What is weirder is that that said airline as never turned in a profit in the 10-12 years it functioned before the deal, so how it afford that deal? Naturally very rich people with more money than sense. But that deal immediately flagged up this potential not just to clubs, but to the rules makers. It is said that there will be panels appraising any deals to see that they are market value and not skewed by club owners basically sponsoring the club vast sums to pump in cash. So no, I doubt we’ll see the al-Hasawi Kuwaiti Refrigeration Corp. sponsoring Forest. That Etihad deal will also potentially get round the rules by being for a vast complex of facilities as well the Stadium. Something we wouldn’t be able to explore, unless the extremely vague rumours of Fawaz targeting land on the other side of the River for development purposes.
These huge sponsorship opportunities are only open to huge clubs, but if we want the best and want to squeeze every penny to maximise our financial might then extra shirt sponsorship (above the names on the back) and Corporate branding of stands may be the next call. We are sadly limited in our earning scope. We don’t have a state of the art stadium to pimp out to various concerts or other sports to use for their own means for our financial gains. Yes, we did it before, but that was close to 10 years ago, and a lot more high spec stadiums exist now.
Now, we can’t try to find loop holes, although it’s clever, it’s also fraught with possibilities of retrospective action. Instead of fans suggesting this and that method to avoid paying that requisite % on wages, or trying to artificially inflate it, let’s just collate a talented fairly paid set of players. So let’s trawl lesser divisions and leagues for players to bring in, rather than Premiership squad members on way too much money.
Yes other clubs have flaunted rules before. Leicester with their administration to avoid paying full amounts of balances owed (and some clubs, I don’t know if Leicester did this too, but some avoided paying Charitable or Volunteer groups such as the St John’s Ambulance which I find deplorable)
So wastes of space in the squad really need to be shifted on and sharpish. But if you are Ishmael Miller why would you be expected to do your job elsewhere for less because of a new regime not liking the deals of a contract you signed and was agreed on? I love this argument fans have “oh he’s greedy because he wants to sit here and take money when he could go elsewhere” but no-one in their right mind would accept less money to do a similar job when they don’t have to.
What happens remains to be seen. There could be wholesale changes again, but that said a few teaks here or there could see this squad good enough.
That said it makes it harder as it involves financial income and spending x% of it. Clubs who are coming down from the Premier League will have parachute payments.It does make you wonder what QPR and all their extremely high waged players will do.
What you have to consider as part of this is that Ishmael Miller and Matt Derbyshire have quite excessive wages we are about to lumbered with. As it stands now they aren’t on our pay roll, their loan clubs taking that burden on, so that’s best part of £30k a week in wages being swallowed up. That’s a sizeable chunk of the financial leeway taken up.
It is surprising how many Premiership squad fillers are on wages big enough to make us baulk, and apparently Gonzalo Jara Reyes is included. Face it he’s an international player with a reputable nation in the top flight, of course his wages will be artificially inflated. I laugh when people reckon these players would come to us “for footballing reasons” no no, it’ll all be about wages.
That said, there might be a cooling on excessive championship wages, but that will just mean less players willing to step down from the Premiership, and therefore an even weaker Championship.
There are the loop holes of course that many mention. How about naming rights, sponsorship deals and suchlike. Yes there have been huge deals for some club. Manchester City tried circumnavigating rules with the impressive £100 mill deal for naming rights of their stadium by Etihad Airways. Coincidentally the ownership structure at both Etihad and City include the same big hitters. What is weirder is that that said airline as never turned in a profit in the 10-12 years it functioned before the deal, so how it afford that deal? Naturally very rich people with more money than sense. But that deal immediately flagged up this potential not just to clubs, but to the rules makers. It is said that there will be panels appraising any deals to see that they are market value and not skewed by club owners basically sponsoring the club vast sums to pump in cash. So no, I doubt we’ll see the al-Hasawi Kuwaiti Refrigeration Corp. sponsoring Forest. That Etihad deal will also potentially get round the rules by being for a vast complex of facilities as well the Stadium. Something we wouldn’t be able to explore, unless the extremely vague rumours of Fawaz targeting land on the other side of the River for development purposes.
These huge sponsorship opportunities are only open to huge clubs, but if we want the best and want to squeeze every penny to maximise our financial might then extra shirt sponsorship (above the names on the back) and Corporate branding of stands may be the next call. We are sadly limited in our earning scope. We don’t have a state of the art stadium to pimp out to various concerts or other sports to use for their own means for our financial gains. Yes, we did it before, but that was close to 10 years ago, and a lot more high spec stadiums exist now.
Now, we can’t try to find loop holes, although it’s clever, it’s also fraught with possibilities of retrospective action. Instead of fans suggesting this and that method to avoid paying that requisite % on wages, or trying to artificially inflate it, let’s just collate a talented fairly paid set of players. So let’s trawl lesser divisions and leagues for players to bring in, rather than Premiership squad members on way too much money.
Yes other clubs have flaunted rules before. Leicester with their administration to avoid paying full amounts of balances owed (and some clubs, I don’t know if Leicester did this too, but some avoided paying Charitable or Volunteer groups such as the St John’s Ambulance which I find deplorable)
So wastes of space in the squad really need to be shifted on and sharpish. But if you are Ishmael Miller why would you be expected to do your job elsewhere for less because of a new regime not liking the deals of a contract you signed and was agreed on? I love this argument fans have “oh he’s greedy because he wants to sit here and take money when he could go elsewhere” but no-one in their right mind would accept less money to do a similar job when they don’t have to.
What happens remains to be seen. There could be wholesale changes again, but that said a few teaks here or there could see this squad good enough.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Some Things Just Aren't Meant To Be
I stood by the fact that even if we won I thought circumstance would rally against us and stop our promotion bid, and though I was wrong on that I truly hadn’t factored Leicester beating us. I had thought a draw extremely likely, and it would and should have been after chasing the game.
There is little point dwelling on the Leicester game. Well all know what happened and if you don’t, well what kind of fan are you? But there were things to look at. The fact the defence became so unbalanced with Harding at right back didn’t help. We rued the loss of Jara and then Halford. The midfield just didn’t bite in the way they have. We had that rarest of things though, a striker scoring, but it’s still too few and far between all season.
But we can be proud of even being in the chase, and having on the last day had a period of time where we had that berth in the playoffs. It was completely and utterly removed for any reality in early February that we’d even be in with a shout. And at the end of the day that top 6 were the top 6 pretty much when we embarked on that run, save for Middlesbrough’s hurtling down the league at an alarming rate. In that regard Bolton not making it either is slightly less galling that our run didn’t see someone else do the same and pip us. We both tried, we both just didn’t have enough. A crazy last dip for the line that was too early.
And so here we are again. Another season of much to mull over, but where very little changes. We remain a Championship club talking about getting to the Premier League and wondering how and why we will make it. That could be another article for another day, but it remains that nagging sense of “where did we go wrong?” It’s simplistic but not overly wrong to suggest everywhere. We started to build our team very late; the squad wasn’t right in its balance. The defence was often shaky, the attackers didn’t score, and the midfield didn’t overly settle. Bear in mind our player of the season is someone who spent 4 months playing out of position at left back. That screams volumes at me.
So after people previously said we needed to clear out and start again, well that approach still didn’t get us over the line. It will be interesting to see what Fawaz and Billy do over this summer. We can’t just go out and sign X player and Y player, because Financial Fair Play dictates we can’t. We are already on the cusp with wages, and we have Derbyshire and Miller coming back with their excessive wage packets.
Something else that also leapt out at me about Saturday was the fact the fans sort of accepted the position. No anger or annoyance we missed out, just a little bit of frustration. We started the day outside the playoffs, we finished there, and yes we would have succeeded had we won, but we truly were beaten by a better side. Hence why so many waiting for the lap of glorious adulation or whatever sheen they put on it not being one of “honour” also clapped off Leicester. They came, they saw, they conquered.
As we’ve said for a while now. There’s always next season.
There is little point dwelling on the Leicester game. Well all know what happened and if you don’t, well what kind of fan are you? But there were things to look at. The fact the defence became so unbalanced with Harding at right back didn’t help. We rued the loss of Jara and then Halford. The midfield just didn’t bite in the way they have. We had that rarest of things though, a striker scoring, but it’s still too few and far between all season.
But we can be proud of even being in the chase, and having on the last day had a period of time where we had that berth in the playoffs. It was completely and utterly removed for any reality in early February that we’d even be in with a shout. And at the end of the day that top 6 were the top 6 pretty much when we embarked on that run, save for Middlesbrough’s hurtling down the league at an alarming rate. In that regard Bolton not making it either is slightly less galling that our run didn’t see someone else do the same and pip us. We both tried, we both just didn’t have enough. A crazy last dip for the line that was too early.
And so here we are again. Another season of much to mull over, but where very little changes. We remain a Championship club talking about getting to the Premier League and wondering how and why we will make it. That could be another article for another day, but it remains that nagging sense of “where did we go wrong?” It’s simplistic but not overly wrong to suggest everywhere. We started to build our team very late; the squad wasn’t right in its balance. The defence was often shaky, the attackers didn’t score, and the midfield didn’t overly settle. Bear in mind our player of the season is someone who spent 4 months playing out of position at left back. That screams volumes at me.
So after people previously said we needed to clear out and start again, well that approach still didn’t get us over the line. It will be interesting to see what Fawaz and Billy do over this summer. We can’t just go out and sign X player and Y player, because Financial Fair Play dictates we can’t. We are already on the cusp with wages, and we have Derbyshire and Miller coming back with their excessive wage packets.
Something else that also leapt out at me about Saturday was the fact the fans sort of accepted the position. No anger or annoyance we missed out, just a little bit of frustration. We started the day outside the playoffs, we finished there, and yes we would have succeeded had we won, but we truly were beaten by a better side. Hence why so many waiting for the lap of glorious adulation or whatever sheen they put on it not being one of “honour” also clapped off Leicester. They came, they saw, they conquered.
As we’ve said for a while now. There’s always next season.
Friday, May 3, 2013
Player of the Season
Player of the Season
My point in this exercise is really to discuss who the player of the season has been for Forest, which as I thought about this and planned what to say really has underlined a quite bizarre point. In a season which by and large has been successful save for the last few games (I think we’d all have been happy with this kind of season this time last year) that there hasn’t been a standout performer. Even in a struggling team last year Garath McCleary managed to stand out ahead of the rest. Whereas this year I have seen so much on the forum (which appears to have died) and on twitter that there is no real player of the season.
Well to analyse this let’s look at this logically and equate the leading players.
Karl Darlow
Ok only played for half a season but it’s been a steady set of performances. Not stand out like anyone but he has quietly done his job without huge fanfare. He is almost cultish like figure now due to how he got his chance and the fact we were so ready and willing for him to succeed. For that you have to consider that a youngster with little first team experience got chucked in the deep end and not only floated but immediately started swimming quite easily.
Greg Halford
has been chucked around all over the park and generally has performed well, but as with all nothing that leaps out. Weighed in with a few goals, and even has a spell as a makeshift (and effective) striker. Might have shone more had one spot been made his own. The fact he has played 6 positions screams volumes though, his variety helps, and so to his secret weapon of long throws.
Danny Collins
In and out the team under Davies but a mainstay beforehand he has a mixed time. I hear a number of fans around where I sit be hyper critical of him, and he can be slow and yes there’s been errors, but he isn’t that bad, not as bad as Chambers could be at his worst, but definitely not player of the season material.
Elliot Ward
Again not a full season, but he’s been here for the most part so I will include him. After a ponderous start and being fairly disliked by fans (remember when we announced we had signed him back after his initial loan, there were a lot of critical fan) he has slowly won the fans round. Still prone to slow errors and fouling back his man, he has improved immeasurably at Forest. Seems to like it here too.
Chris Cohen
Now has the arm band, playing out of position at left back and doing a fairly good job. Scored the goal at derby that gave us the lead. Did well when in the midfield too, Cohen has played well this season, which is heartening as frequently people with his type of injury he had aren’t the same player. For that reason his season was a late starter too. A definite contender.
Simon Gillett
included because for the first half of the season he was many people’s best player. Since then his form tailed off and now he is nowhere near the first team. He last featured meaningfully I believe against Derby, whereby he gave away the ball for their goal. A cynic would say his form tailed once his contract hit the renewal if he plays x games clause. Just saying
Adlene Guedioura
For me Guedi hasn’t hit the high notes he did last season> Still solid and impressive but quite prone to slightly wayward passes. It’s been frustrating in that regard, that and his slight disciplinary issues. Still more positive than not, but not a Player of the year performance and I’d think he’d agree.
Henri Lansbury
Took time to settle in at Forest and has really only shown what he can do since February. In that time his passing at times has been exemplary, clearly being on a different plane he can pick out pinpoint passes. On the other that person you’re passing to needs to be on the same wavelength. Clearly not a Player of the Year contender but could be next year on current trajectories of improvement.
Lewis McGugan
It’s same old Lewis, flashes of brilliance interspersed with long periods of average performances. Does things from the bench to get in the team, then doesn’t take that chance and is dropped again. We seem to have been having this conversation for as many years as Lewis has been around. He just seems like a Taarabt, or N’Zogbia figure. Obvious ability, just not consistently.
Radoslaw Majewski
Of the midfield perhaps one of the better. His purple patch when Davies arrived was wonderful. However as I suggested with my worst fears he can’t carry that type of form on over two months. If he could he wouldn’t be here, he’d have ended up at a better club than by now.
Andy Reid
Has been fairly instrumental in all that we do but has had a large number of very frustrating games. Reid is incapable of playing to the whistle and this really annoys me so instead of tackling back if he feels wronged he stands waving his arms around and it costs us. To some he is undoubtedly our player of the season, but for me there are huge obstacles for me to give him this accolade.
Simon Cox
Well there is the obvious issues with the lack of goals, but you can’t help but admire his effort. The fact that two of his goals pretty much would dominate a goal of the season poll, with his League Cup v Wigan goal and the obvious one then his returns been lame. For that you’d be critical, but as said he offers so much else to the team other than goals. Had the strikers been scoring though it’s easy to make the jump is assuming we’d be easily within the playoffs by now.
Billy Sharp
End this poll at Christmas and I think he might have won. He’d been banging in goals, got his own chant (in one of the shortest times for one of our players I’ve seen) and become a bit of a cult legend figure, especially by eating someone’s hot dog as a celebration at Blackpool. Since then though due to injury and being out of favour and his form dipping Sharps goals have dried up sadly. The second half of the season has been quite the drought (as with all strikers)
Dexter Blackstock
Clearly not a player of the season as for certainly the latter half he has been rather poor. His touch had completely deserted him, lack of any goals, and just generally bad performances. It’s a shame. It is also pretty much since he got his new contract. He really can’t be considered at all, his form has been so patchy.
The rest of the squad has largely been pitching in here and there with odd performances. A few have come and gone, and a few have been completely injury prone, but haven’t done enough of note to be mentioned overtly. Hutchinson has shown glimpses, Henderson got a couple of goals, Jara on his loan did good things, and Jenas, well Jenas was injured a lot.
So Who Wins?
To surmise I find it very hard to single out anyone ofrom the bunch as player of the season. you never know should we reach the playoffs an obvious candidate might ise above the ashes to see himself crowned. I'm going out on a limb and giving it two players, who have both had to show incredible senses of utility. They have been shunted round the park and have retained high levels of performance so therefore Chris Cohen and Greg Halford get my vote.
My point in this exercise is really to discuss who the player of the season has been for Forest, which as I thought about this and planned what to say really has underlined a quite bizarre point. In a season which by and large has been successful save for the last few games (I think we’d all have been happy with this kind of season this time last year) that there hasn’t been a standout performer. Even in a struggling team last year Garath McCleary managed to stand out ahead of the rest. Whereas this year I have seen so much on the forum (which appears to have died) and on twitter that there is no real player of the season.
Well to analyse this let’s look at this logically and equate the leading players.
Karl Darlow
Ok only played for half a season but it’s been a steady set of performances. Not stand out like anyone but he has quietly done his job without huge fanfare. He is almost cultish like figure now due to how he got his chance and the fact we were so ready and willing for him to succeed. For that you have to consider that a youngster with little first team experience got chucked in the deep end and not only floated but immediately started swimming quite easily.
Greg Halford
has been chucked around all over the park and generally has performed well, but as with all nothing that leaps out. Weighed in with a few goals, and even has a spell as a makeshift (and effective) striker. Might have shone more had one spot been made his own. The fact he has played 6 positions screams volumes though, his variety helps, and so to his secret weapon of long throws.
Danny Collins
In and out the team under Davies but a mainstay beforehand he has a mixed time. I hear a number of fans around where I sit be hyper critical of him, and he can be slow and yes there’s been errors, but he isn’t that bad, not as bad as Chambers could be at his worst, but definitely not player of the season material.
Elliot Ward
Again not a full season, but he’s been here for the most part so I will include him. After a ponderous start and being fairly disliked by fans (remember when we announced we had signed him back after his initial loan, there were a lot of critical fan) he has slowly won the fans round. Still prone to slow errors and fouling back his man, he has improved immeasurably at Forest. Seems to like it here too.
Chris Cohen
Now has the arm band, playing out of position at left back and doing a fairly good job. Scored the goal at derby that gave us the lead. Did well when in the midfield too, Cohen has played well this season, which is heartening as frequently people with his type of injury he had aren’t the same player. For that reason his season was a late starter too. A definite contender.
Simon Gillett
included because for the first half of the season he was many people’s best player. Since then his form tailed off and now he is nowhere near the first team. He last featured meaningfully I believe against Derby, whereby he gave away the ball for their goal. A cynic would say his form tailed once his contract hit the renewal if he plays x games clause. Just saying
Adlene Guedioura
For me Guedi hasn’t hit the high notes he did last season> Still solid and impressive but quite prone to slightly wayward passes. It’s been frustrating in that regard, that and his slight disciplinary issues. Still more positive than not, but not a Player of the year performance and I’d think he’d agree.
Henri Lansbury
Took time to settle in at Forest and has really only shown what he can do since February. In that time his passing at times has been exemplary, clearly being on a different plane he can pick out pinpoint passes. On the other that person you’re passing to needs to be on the same wavelength. Clearly not a Player of the Year contender but could be next year on current trajectories of improvement.
Lewis McGugan
It’s same old Lewis, flashes of brilliance interspersed with long periods of average performances. Does things from the bench to get in the team, then doesn’t take that chance and is dropped again. We seem to have been having this conversation for as many years as Lewis has been around. He just seems like a Taarabt, or N’Zogbia figure. Obvious ability, just not consistently.
Radoslaw Majewski
Of the midfield perhaps one of the better. His purple patch when Davies arrived was wonderful. However as I suggested with my worst fears he can’t carry that type of form on over two months. If he could he wouldn’t be here, he’d have ended up at a better club than by now.
Andy Reid
Has been fairly instrumental in all that we do but has had a large number of very frustrating games. Reid is incapable of playing to the whistle and this really annoys me so instead of tackling back if he feels wronged he stands waving his arms around and it costs us. To some he is undoubtedly our player of the season, but for me there are huge obstacles for me to give him this accolade.
Simon Cox
Well there is the obvious issues with the lack of goals, but you can’t help but admire his effort. The fact that two of his goals pretty much would dominate a goal of the season poll, with his League Cup v Wigan goal and the obvious one then his returns been lame. For that you’d be critical, but as said he offers so much else to the team other than goals. Had the strikers been scoring though it’s easy to make the jump is assuming we’d be easily within the playoffs by now.
Billy Sharp
End this poll at Christmas and I think he might have won. He’d been banging in goals, got his own chant (in one of the shortest times for one of our players I’ve seen) and become a bit of a cult legend figure, especially by eating someone’s hot dog as a celebration at Blackpool. Since then though due to injury and being out of favour and his form dipping Sharps goals have dried up sadly. The second half of the season has been quite the drought (as with all strikers)
Dexter Blackstock
Clearly not a player of the season as for certainly the latter half he has been rather poor. His touch had completely deserted him, lack of any goals, and just generally bad performances. It’s a shame. It is also pretty much since he got his new contract. He really can’t be considered at all, his form has been so patchy.
The rest of the squad has largely been pitching in here and there with odd performances. A few have come and gone, and a few have been completely injury prone, but haven’t done enough of note to be mentioned overtly. Hutchinson has shown glimpses, Henderson got a couple of goals, Jara on his loan did good things, and Jenas, well Jenas was injured a lot.
So Who Wins?
To surmise I find it very hard to single out anyone ofrom the bunch as player of the season. you never know should we reach the playoffs an obvious candidate might ise above the ashes to see himself crowned. I'm going out on a limb and giving it two players, who have both had to show incredible senses of utility. They have been shunted round the park and have retained high levels of performance so therefore Chris Cohen and Greg Halford get my vote.
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