The Curse of the Old Boy

It appears at times there are only two ways it can go when we come up against a former player. They either play a blinder, or are so poor to be anonymous. Lewis McGugan skirted both those criteria this weekend.
Although the headlines will read the ex player came back to haunt us, in reality up till that point he’d be largely anonymous, and even after the goal he popped up with an effort that was well saved and then disappeared again.

It always feels like ex players score against us, or ex keepers will have a blinder etc. But is it really the case? Look at Barnsley away last season, we concede to a Marlon Harewood goal, but in reality he was pretty poor, spurning chances and generally getting mocked al game, in a nice friendly way. We knew his limitations especially since coming back to England, but remember how dangerous he could be.

Kris Commons often seems to have a mixed record against the fans who now so malign him, on the one hand that infamous cup game, scoring the late winner, and yet other occasions include him stooping to over celebrating a goal in the 5-2 drubbing like it actually mattered. The thing is we knew he’d score at least one.

So it was no real surprise when they got the free kick, and after I turned to a friend and said “well, he’s done nothing all game so watch this fly in” and it duly did, none of was really surprised. Fair play to McGugan who downplayed a celebration, I know if I’d have a section of support mocking and abusing me (as a number of Forest fans did, admittedly in equal measures got a good reception) I might be tempted to turn it back on them.

We have a couple of ex player likely playing against us on Saturday, who like Lewis may get a mixed reception. Grant Holt and James Perch are now at Wigan, and so that old curse could once again return. We have a good turnout apparently going up to the North west, so no doubt some of them will decide booing and chiding Holt will be the best course of action, whereas Perch would likely get good support from all, not realising that as often as it causes an awful performance (think Collymore returning with Liverpool) that it sometimes spurs them to better things.

At the end of the day I think abusing a player who generally played well and did anything near as much as Lewis did that abusing them is wrong. He didn’t make derogatory comments or suchlike. When it’s someone like Marlon King then fair play, they deserve all they get. Holt is a strange one as he clearly never feels he got the rub of the green at Forest, and has since gone on to bigger and better things with Norwich. Perch on the other hand came through our academy, put in a good few years and left for the Premier League. I for one won’t be booing either, not only because I think it’s unfair, but it just might be that spur to make either play better or rub it our face. Holt doesn’t have the connection Lewis, or Commons or Harewood had so might feel celebrating, Perch would likely not. Either way, it's hope they don’t have a good day.

Media Relations Disintegrate

In a new turn of the battle between club and media, the Post have gone live with an article today that talks about how Forest have now decided on a complete media blackout. No interviews, no post match reactions, no pre game build up interviews.

The Post in an article that is meant to be revealing though, just write it in a manner that is more than ever so bitter. They say “No post-match reaction on Radio Nottingham, no player reaction in the Post, either online on in Monday's newspaper.” But just remember that Radio Nottingham have started using Paul Taylor recently in its coverage. Relations between those two are good.

I tend to think that the club can do as it pleases. But that it should as part of its club – fan relations should at least entertain the local media’s overtures to providing staff for PR. However, they have no obligation, other than the stipulated pre and post match press conferences. They are set down in stone by the League. But for the rest, well media access is a privilege, not enshrined in stone.

However, the post write such a one sided piece on this suggesting that basically in ignoring a paper that is regularly out of touch, and has in the past been critical of Davies, suggests it’s the fans the club is letting down.

It forgets the majority of fans have access to the internet, which Forest have finally started to realise the potential of, utilising YouTube for club fan communications.

Why have the Post done this? Because for circulation they rely on Forest, whether for sales or to click links. If they aren’t getting Forest news then they aren’t selling papers to Forest fans. So they need to suggest the club is almost making an evil play.

The Post clearly points the finger at Price, who is becoming a divisive figure. That divide isn’t 50/50 though. As long as the club do well, the majority of fans don’t care, save for Vital who are on a bizarre rampage of “truth” about which no-one cares.

But why have Forest have done this? Well, you already have to see what Radio Nottingham did this week. The club have clearly decided that all media is going to be shunned. And for me it’s not a huge surprise, when you consider the generally bad press that was being chucked around in February.

I’m not excusing the club though; it is quite a petulant response. Throwing the toys out of the pram, but to be honest they hold the power here. They hold what the media wants in the interviews and access. In not providing that, it severely restricts what might or might not get out, especially if you consider if you believe Twitter just how many leaks there must be at Forest.

It could backfire though. Without those column inches being filled by articles related to players and suchlike, the Post will have to fill them somehow, and it has already started to do so by the article in question. It will be merely a first of many.

What I really dislike is the Posts angle on it though that the club are letting the fans down. I don’t agree there at all. Not in the modern era where newspapers are a dying breed. The Post has had a revamp, as many local papers have done, and all because they are struggling.

Is this a game of cat and mouse? Undoubtedly. Both know that the Post without decent Forest news won’t get revenue. Both will know the struggles of local papers. The club really would do well to keep the Post on side and use them more wisely. But their attempts to do this are fairly extreme. Their attempts to control what is in the media, well it’s slightly clandestine to be honest.

The Post will contend that this is all Forest, and can’t understand why the club would make this move. They point out “Since Davies – and Price – returned, the paper has been nothing but supportive.” Making out that they are the innocent party, but neither side is.

But remember these words the Post printed back in 2011 “But the simple fact is, Nottingham Forest had to Part Company with the outspoken Scotsman. They had no choice at all... His position had become entirely, emphatically untenable.”

That’s not supportive in the slightest, and makes no mistake Davies will remember such lines and have taken note. Now yes a different time and a different era, but would you maintain good relations with a paper that revelled in your dismissal?

To be honest both sides are in the wrong. Forest should use the media, and the Post shouldn’t take its access to the club as a right. I’m not saying what we get is a sense of propaganda to be fed, but you can understand with all the negative press coverage in the past year why they might do this. They clearly think new Media is the way forward. Hence the al-Jazeera deal. But in the mean time they need to remember traditional forms of communication are still used. And they clearly forget that now the Post are embittered towards Forest.

Latest Round of Transfer Gossip

Several new names have been linked and connected with Forest as we begin to approach the end of the transfer window. The fact it has been said we feel we need 3 more players, and are in the market for some has sent tongues wagging as to who they may well be. Here is a roundup of the names linked.

Gabriel Tamas
29 year old and 6’2 central defender Gabriel Tamas, a Romanian international has been linked. The West Brom defender has been linked with moves away from the Hawthorns all summer but has constantly distanced himself from such rumours. Now the window is coming to a close maybe that could change. Tamas is somewhat a controversial figure, he was banned from the Romanian team for a short while after being caught out drinking with Adrian Mutu before a game in 2011. If we are in for him it would signal the definite end of the chase for Wes Morgan.

Bakary Sako
A name previously mentioned there were strong hints today we were in for him. What would be another left sided midfielder, though more attacking than some, he is currently at Wolves, for whom he was a big purchase last season following relegation from the Premier League and was meant to help fire them back up. Now in league One after their successive relegations Sako would be surely be keen for a way out of playing in the third tier. He is both eligible for France and Mali at international football.

Grant Leadbitter
Another rumour that won’t die is Grant Leadbitter despite a number of bids being turned down, it seems we may just go in with a high offer as Billy see’s him as integral to our plans. Guedioura is not the man Billy wants in the hole in front of defence and would like a more McKenna esque, ball shielding, water carrier type role player. Leadbitter is his man for this. Whether this goes through is another matter. Boro have made it clear they don’t want to sell, and the indication is they don’t need to, but every player has his price right?

Jason Holt
Same old names all summer, which shows either the WUM ITK accounts are nothing but consistent or there is actual truth. After low offers for the Hearts midfielder were turned down (it appears we were testing just how impoverished the Scottish side are) we may go back with a more realistic market valuation of the player, rather than a hoping to pinch on the cheap. Hearst have clearly played this game well, holding out for a good price for one of their sought after players, rather taking the money and running.

Shane Long
It what appears to be lazy journalism we have been linked with West Brom striker Shane Long, who started last season very well. West Brom have just signed Anelka and Vydra who might take a more prominent role, but that forgets that Odemwingie and Lukaku have both been removed from that pecking order, meaning surely there is a role for Long, as even with Anelka, he is getting on and won’t play as often. I can’t see this one happening, Long has something to offer at the top flight, and his wages would be inflated. However, he has one year left of his deal, and Forest might see this as a potential cut price transfer.

Top of the League

The old adage is don’t bother looking at the League Table till Christmas, and don’t be bothered till Easter. To hell with that, we are top of the league!!
But seriously, yes it is early days, but in as strong a message to all the rest of the league, Forest have gone top of the Championship following their third win of three games, with a third clean sheet. It’s almost perfect.
We defeated a strong Bolton team without at times appearing to break sweat. It was strange though, as apart from the 3 goals, we barely troubled Adam Bogdan in the Bolton goal.

Bolton still have a physical edge to their game, Wheater and Knight in defence will always be a strong physical pairing, and to counter we used Halford as an attacking foil. It’s not the first time Davies has used him in that role, with him being used up there last season (I forget which game) Halford similarly is strong and physical in the air, and Davies clearly decided that he would be the best foil up front, rather than Miller or Derbyshire to strike against the towering goliaths of Bolton.

And it was within a minute and a half that the Reds struck, with Mackie getting clear, and finishing past Bogdan. It had been a smart little manoeuvre, and free from his markers there was to be only result for the new signing from QPR.

What impact this had on the game plan I’m not sure. Bolton clearly has a physical defence. And whether the whole match plan was out the window and it allowed Forest more space we’ll never know.

Bolton had a very good chance to equalise however, hitting the woodwork, however Pratley had strayed off side from the free kick, and as they were poised to net, the whistle went and the chance gone.

Second half and early on we scored again, Reid being left free at the back post as the ball came across to finish slightly awkwardly but smartly. 2-0 was possibly a fair reflection. The game had entered a frustrating period whereby the ref let a lot of play flow for what could on another day be blown for. Perhaps it made it better, rather than potentially being very stop start. However it was a case of once they knew the ref was doing it; they’d simply be holding or grabbing more and stopping the playing of the ball. Some Bolton fans have suggested we were as bad, but that seems to overlooking arms clearly round players.

Halford toiled away up front well all afternoon, in a role though not completely alien to him is one he isn’t so accustomed too. The problem as we sign more specialised players in various positions is that the jack of all trades like Halford and others in the past gets pushed aside, which though it means a stronger team, must be disheartening to the player. Halford though, on the contrary, used this as a means to show what he can do, and it the midst of a potential striking crisis with various injuries, put in a shout to be used elsewhere.

The win was rounded off when Lansbury ghosted in back post, and though the finish was not like Reid’s, a diving header by the ex Arsenal player, the positioning and impact was the same. It was the cue around 100 Bolton fans needed to leave.

Pratley also managed to get himself sent off for a challenge that on a booking was frankly ridiculous. Pratley must hate the City Ground, after when playing for Swansea blatantly getting felled when about to score a goal and not getting anything. And that’s forgetting our incessant chase of him for over a year.
A comfortable win, which we ultimately coasted too. The manner of easing off will also mean the players don’t overcook themselves for a couple of hard away games to Watford and Wigan. Should we come out of these games with more than 4 points hell probably 3, then we truly are a force to be reckoned with this season.

Look out Premier League, here we come.

The Ongoing Media Feud Escalates

Radio Nottingham, after nearly not getting their coverage renewed have this morning turned their course and fired shots at Forest. An “investigative” piece into Jim price, the General manager f the club, it merely seems to have inflamed opinions and annoyed people.

The timing I find to be ridiculous. The club have started well, so spirits are high, the station just agreed a new deal, and would you’d hope try and build some bridges. But no, it seems now their feet are back under the table they can start doing as they please.

Already pretty much shunned by the club save for matchday coverage, it just seems to be the last vestiges of respect between station and cub will have been used up now, in a piece going out earlier on today. One has to question what the motives are.

Anyone who has ever Googled Jim price could easily find out what about what happened at Ross Brown. The Law firm from Glasgow where he was a Senior Partner was forcibly closed by the Scottish Law Society (essentially) for financial irregularities. The accounts didn’t match up with the legal aid it had received basically.

Now Radio Nottingham have decided to rake this muck up for no other reason than the shunning of the radio seems to come from a similar time to Price’s arrival at the club. We all remember Billy bringing up his lawyer all the time in Radio Nottingham interviews, well that’s Jim Price.

So now the Radio feel the need to question his role and who he is, forgetting that many many people have shadier pasts in football, and ones that aren’t always Google-able. It’s not as if Forest haven’t had their fair share in the past, Wray and Scholar and all that went on then, Maurice Rowarth and his offences. Hell just a months ago there was a high level clear out at Forest, that is allegedly to do with embezzlement and financial mishandling of the clubs former employees. No-one ever questioned that, because I guess they were on Radio Nottinghams side, they weren’t throwing up barriers to them, or forcing their hand commercially.

But because Price has, Radio Nottingham feel a need to do this piece, which is also extremely notable in its timing. As if it’d been prepared for a while but held off till the ink dried on the contract. The fact they précis it by saying many fans have questioned his role, which I have only ever seen a few people do, and in passing, not to do Panorama-lite and claim to be all investigative, whilst probably all from the comfort of a desk with Google open.

I just read a blog piece that kind of implies its not all Ross Browns fault anyway, not they weren’t without guilt, just that they were a prominent fish to catch in a pond of many. As I say I’m not saying all is above board, it’s just that the BBC hwere seem to be trying to claw attention and expose someone who doesn’t need exposing just because they don’t happen to get along.

What will be apparent is that media – club relations will suffer again. There have been plenty of other fall outs (Rob Dorsett) so you potentially see why they are starting to cherry pick the journalists they do like and give them the stories, rather than see people with axes to grind report negative stories. It’s no worse than many other big businesses would do. I don’t want to blindly defend the club, and regular readers will know I question plenty of what goes on there, but this time it just seems a desperate ploy by the BBC to point score.

It makes you just want to bang their heads together and tell them just kiss and make up, but I feel we are far beyond that. As long as the current regime stays in place, relations won’t mend. The club will just boycott any Radio Nottingham contact and that ultimately shoots the Radio in the foot.

The result is now many fans see Radio Nottingham as trying to rock the boat for the sake of a gripe, and it’s angered many. If this all because of a childish gripe then its ridiculous. We should be talking about the great start the clubs made (as I did Monday) instead of this pointless petty squabble.

The Stars Are Aligning

Ok, maybe a little over the top as a headline and maybe a little presumptive after 2 league games and a cup win against lower league opposition, but the optimism amongst some fans is finally being played out on the pitch. Forest, as we all know are notoriously slow starters to the season. Well so far so good.

Beating Blackburn late on as we did, as I pointed out last season when we sneaked late points shows a resilience to not give up or let heads drop. And ok, the goal was a little gifted, I’m not sure exactly what Jake Kean was trying to do being so far from goal and trying to claim the ball over a player, but it cost Rovers.

At best he’d have fouled Mackie and given away a penalty, but he was never going to succeed, and when Mackie ended up with the ball and played it to Darius Henderson, he still admittedly had a lot to do. There were still 16 yards and two defenders to finish past. Which he did, with aplomb.

My brother is a Sheffield United fan, who always waved about Darius, and though I wasn’t always convinced, he always caused us problems. I’m beginning to see that hype a little more now. Instead of being a shambling huge bloke we ask to just put his head on anything, he has other qualities too, shielding the ball, holding it up, and finishing. The one thing I have been warned about is there’s a ref who takes exception to his style of play, he will get penalised every time and see no joy, and maybe even sent off. Which we see all too often with Blackstock anyway.

We have weapons yet to be utilised too. Abdoun is still a relatively unknown to Forest, and although scurrilous rumours have suggested we never wanted him from the Greek press this week, they have been scoffed at by Jim Price, who insists Billy sanctioned the purchase, and the only questions to answer are his fitness and international clearance. Loosely translating an Algerian (or French) news source they say that Abdoun isn’t match fit yet, as his fitness when signing was behind his new team mates due to the later start of the Greek season, that he hadn’t done as much work.

It’s this that bothers me with Forest fans at times. We don’t play a new guy, and rather than do any research, people merely suggest Davies doesn’t like him, or didn’t want him. We’ve played 3 games!! He might want to slowly work him into the side.

Although it’s not been a free scoring side thus far, Henderson’s goal will hopefully silence those same voices that moaned that strikers weren’t scoring, which completely misunderstood how last year’s team was set up. For me too many people see a formation as basic. 4-4-2 works as it’s linear, they understand, everyone has easily defined roles. But you get too many idiots who see other formation as defensive or not understand a new role for a player other than the traditional defined roles. Too often they saw a sole striker as defensive rather than actually freeing up the midfield to play freer roles and encourage them to attack quickly.

In what is going to be a tough start on paper, the forthcoming matches with Watford, Wigan, and the next match with Bolton should prove a tough battle. If we come through these matches well it will illustrate where we are. Wigan have been active in the market following relegation, and Watford were there or there about's last season. You’d assume one of those should be a defeat, but it’s very hard to tell at the moment.
Interestingly enough, it could all rest on ex players performing on their day, Holt at Wigan and McGugan at Watford, with the former target Darren Pratley at Bolton potentially being a thorn in the side.

But so far so good. The omens are looking good. Long may it continue.

Perfect Start

No doubt by now you’ll have read an official match report, maybe you even attended the game, like 23,000 odd other souls. But here we go anyway.

A win is a win, but with Forest who usually draws or lose the first game it’s a nice change and a nice start. To see a few new players bedded in the guise of Lichaj and Hobbs, with the rest of the side being more the “old guard” it was a pleasing performance.

We deserved to win, and although not convincingly by a larger number, we were still far far the better team, even if Huddersfield did have a good couple of efforts.

However, although it was good, there were a few worries. A Collins error later on could have let them in, these happen, but Collins does seem to be prone to one a game. Guedioura didn’t have his passing radar quite engaged and also lost possession a few times in dangerous positions. That and his usual hopelessly off target long range efforts were accustomed to.

The width provided by marauding full backs was good to see, and ultimately gave us the goal via Henri Lansbury. Lichaj gave a good account of himself after a few wayward early crosses. In fact Lichaj nearly scored when he drilled one across the area that started moving toward the goal.

You can also see how Mackie was well regarded by QPR, as he constantly chased and harassed for the ball. He has an excellent work ethic, and even when he was rotated position wise he looked bright. Derbyshire who was one of the pre game talking points didn’t do a lot wrong, but then he didn’t have too many chances to do a lot right. Cox who swapped with Mackie in the slightly withdrawn trequartista role, could have had a couple of chances, but he wasn’t there to play as a striker.

The game was also interesting as it featured the return of one Ishmael Miller to a red shirt. Someone who I remember as being a powerful striker like a Lukaku or Moses now seems more like a comedy Adebola. Just didn’t seem mobile, often failing to quite control the ball. Whereas Henderson when he came on looked very lively. Paterson also made his bow in a Forest shirt, and made a couple of attempts at mazy runs.

All in all I can’t complain about Saturday, True enough I heard people mumbling throughout the game, but these are more the type who has seen us splash the cash and are expecting miracles or amazing performances week in, week out.

For me the interesting factor was despite all the guess work and conjecture, we didn’t in fact play wide, with more a narrow diamond in the midfield. At times it didn’t always work but we clearly remember it did last year. And ultimately it did here by drawing their full backs forward and allowing us to get round the back. Lansbury ghosting in at the back post a free man was criminal defending almost. Their whole back line being drawn across to Cohen and leaving the free man at the back stick.

Whether we start to move to a new wide man system as Paterson beds in and Abdoun receives his clearance I can only guess, but the fact we have put some serious money into those positions suggests we will.

I expect heavy rotation in the Hartlepool League Cup game,

Our Squad - An Appraisal

On the eve of the new season, lets look at where we are and what we have squad wise.

Goal keepers.

Interesting situation to be in with it being entirely unclear right now where the hierarchy is. Karl Darlow is extremely popular with fans following his shock and sudden elevation to first choice last season. Khalid al-Rashidi remains unused and unclear what his position will be other than aback up. Evtimov has been sent out on loan. But now we have Dorus de Vries who has promotions under his belt at Swansea, but also the ignominy of relegation last year with Wolves. I did laugh when someone suggested that if we play him, that mans we will be relegated, forgetting the rest of a team dynamic. I can’t call this. Either de Vries or Darlow will start and will presumably be rotated in the League Cup. Either way, we are back to having 2 keepers, rather than 1 and an untried one. It’s a handy situation to be in. Handy, goalkeepers, get it?


Defence

We seem keen to strengthen further at the back. I can see why. The defence never looked settled or assured last season. We no longer have Elliot Ward of course who looked good. Collins divides opinion. What we do have is Jack Hobbs who will surely start, probably along side Halford. The wild card is where we see Lascelles is at in his development. Might he get a few games, chuck him in? The chase of Wilson and Morgan clearly illustrates we think he isn’t quite there. The full backs tomorrow at least will likely be Lichaj, and with Jara still a mystery absence, Harding at left back. Maybe we could see Halford right back, Lascelles in the middle and Lichaj left back, but I think the former and not the latter. The other option is to see Cohen at left back, and Lichaj right back.


Midfield
We always had a glut of options in here last season, but Davies still appears to want his ball winner. What we do have now is width. Abdoun, Paterson, and Mackie are new additions who can play wide. McLaughlin seems to have gotten more game time. Lansbury if needed can play wide right. In the middle you’d look at Guedioura and Cohen probably if we play a flat 4. Cohen if he’s left back would free up a slot. I can see the older guard playing together, with maybe Abdoun or Paterson to be worked in. If we play with wide men in a flat 4, then certainly Lansbury wide right. However I think the structure would be two deeper holding men, (Guedioura and Cohen would be perfect, but maybe Lansbury) with Abdoun left, Mackie right and Cox in the middle. Cox could either drop deeper in the hole or go up front. Majewski could play the advanced midfield role. That or Lansbury with Reid dropping deeper and almost playing as a quarter back.


Attack

Two approaches. The one man at the front of an attacking midfield spear. Or two men up front. Derbyshire has pushed himself into reckoning with his pre season, Cox is probably still the main man, with Henderson as a late battering ram in the Adebola guise. Blackstock may or may not feature, but his days might seem numbered. Any future attacking signing would change this, but i can only comment on what we have at time of press, and either way they’d not feature tomorrow. As much as many don’t like him Derbyshire must surely be given a chance after his pre season. After all he’s found where the goal is. That’s half the battle. Tudgay won’t feature I’d assume. And Miller? Well yeah forget about Miller.


There is balance there, and choices of a change of shape in every position. We didn’t have this before, so going into this season there is a chance of plan B’s, which frankly we didn’t have as we entered the final stages of the season and other teams sussed out how to defend against the all down the middle approach we had implemented. Time though, to let our feet do the talking.