Guedi Gone

Well save for editing the last post which I put out there suggesting that if Guedioura is still a Forest player we should cut him a little slack, the basic sentiment remains around the Algerians decision.

Because it has been confirmed he has left the Reds for Crystal palace for £2.5m, which is a tidy profit all told, on a player signed a year ago, and who is 28 years old.

But as I said, you can't overly criticise a player for wanting to play at top level. The sentiments of what I wrote when unsure if he was still ours remain. I don't bare any ill feelings for this.

Transfer Deadline Confusion

I was going to try and update the Live blog on the deadline day yesterday at 11pm with a round up. That proved impossible. I think we all know why.

And the current word is that Adlene Guedioura remains a Forest player. This morning word was confirmation was being sought.

So where are we?

Well let’s confirm that Stephen McLaughlin has gone on loan to Bristol City. That much we do know. Guy Moussi and his move to Sheffield Wednesday didn’t happen. Any of the mooted departures for the “deadwood” of Greening, Gillett, Derbyshire and Miller didn’t materialise.

Then there was Adlene. Guedioura as any Forest fan not living under a rock for the last 24 hours knows had been to Crystal palace to talk through a move. It is said that terms were struck, and that all that which entails a transfer went through, save for the actual confirmation in time. Leaving Guedioura as a Forest player.

Now for the minute details. Guedioura “requested” a transfer. That much is true, but that doesn’t mean he tried to force though the deal in a desperate attempt to leave Forest. That merely means he would waive his bonuses and pay offs and any other smaller parts of his contractual arrangement should he be sold by Forest. It basically could have sped things up.

Does this mean Guedi wants out? Well, I’m certain the prospect of Premiership football and one assumes a pay increase appealed to Guedioura. He is 28. He is not getting younger. There is no guarantee we would go up. So he may see this as a last chance to “make it” at the top flight. And even more so in a World Cup year. Not that Algeria are there for sure, not that his place is under threat, he starts for Algeria, but it all adds up in a footballers mind. If he’s succeeding at the top level then his place would be assured. Should Algeria come through the remainder of their qualifying programme he will have a chance to shine in Brazil in a year’s time? Paying in the Premier League would not hinder his chances.

Guedioura as much as he loves Forest, and I think he genuinely does love our fans, wants to play at the top level as said, I am certain that pretty much any of our other players in the same situation would go through the same thought process. A year of Championship football with a good chance of Premiership football, or a move now with guaranteed Premiership football and higher wages. Furthermore the arguments that Palace are definitely down and in a year’s time the roles reverse argument isn’t as great as the kids (and its mainly kids) making it think. If you went there, and excelled and starred, and then Palace are relegated, but you proved yourself, then you’d score a move. Like Charlie Adam with Blackpool, Andros Townsend proved to Spurs he has what it takes despite being in a relegated side, and Taarabt scored a Premiership move too. Just because the sides relegated doesn’t mean they may stay. It’s a chance to prove yourself.

Additionally some people were criticsing Fawaz and Billy for selling a fans favourite, but I heard fee's in excess of £2.5mill suggested. If a club offers above what you believe a players value is, I'm sorry but you snap their hands off.

So for these reasons I won’t lambast Guedi. I won’t criticise. Yes he may have sought to move, but if he agitated for it (and the suggestion is he didn’t) then I’d think Ok, move him on. But an offer was made, it was put to him does he want to negotiate and he did. It just didn’t work out in time. I won’t boo him. I’ll still cheer his role with the team, and neither would I see him rot in the reserves. The territorialism of this makes me laugh, that the fact he entertained a notion of leaving Forest people think he is a Judas. Yet how many of these people have thought of moving up the career ladders. It bothers me with Football fans this idea that you can’t play for anyone else.
But, if, and it’s still if for me, Guedioura is a Forest player. Then support him. Don’t get on his back as then you give him a reason to leave, and ruins what’s been a beautiful relationship. I support anyone wearing the shirt, hell I’d even get behind Commons back in a Forest shirt. It’s the team that matters. Not the individual.

Transfer Deadline Day : LIVE (ish) (UPDATED 20.30)

Ok so not live blogging or update upon update, but when I can and where I can I will try to follow the latest news going on with the deadline day madness, seeing as we’re still meant to be in for people.

Will Sako, Holt, Leadbitter, Vaz Te, or Morgan sign. Who will depart. We will follow the news today

9am: So here we go first update... David Nugent is being linked, as is Liam Bridcutt at Brighton. Some wag is suggesting Benteke might be coming, forgetting he has a new contract and frankly would be as likely as signing Messi or Ronaldo. There is nothing concrete in either direction yet. No departures really being rumoured, though Blackstocks name is being bandied around


10.30 Update
Well, the usual names are being chucked around, Nugent and Sako are getting the most tweets and the most likely sounding also. Few others being thrown in for good measure include Aaron Wilbraham, Luciano Becchio, and Josh McEachran. I can’t see any of those 3 being likely.

Still nothing concrete, still just guesswork.

As for outs, nothing there either. For all of how breathless I thought this might be, it’s all rather... well. Quiet. It’s not going to be one of those deadline days again is it?


12 Noon.
And it looks like Guy Moussi could be out the door. Rumoured to be £500k for the Frenchman, which would be a profit and not a bad bit of business. Sheffield Wednesday looks like his destination. Say what you like, on his day the man is a machine and will be missed, if not only for the behind the scenes stories. There isn;t anything official yet though.

Adlene Guedioura is now being linked with Crystal Palace according to Sky. Not a huge surprise because Davies has been rumoured to be unsure on the Algerian. However at the same time he was influential in bringing in Abdoun, and was being used to market the club in Kuwait. It may be he is used to finance a deal for the the type of ball carrying defensive midfielder Davies clearly wants. However the rumour is Palace are in talks about the possibility. It might have been a very short conversation.

Again nothing official.

On the subject of in’s no further updates or news has sprung up. Unless you count what certainly looks unlikely in a loan bid for Obi Mikel from Chelsea.


1330 Update
No updates on Moussi to Wednesday and Guedioura to Palace. They both remain seemingly on. Although apparently Bannan going to Palace might see their Guedioura interest ended, there is also apparent chatter Palace aren’t alone in terms of Premiership clubs eyeing Adlene.

On any players at the start of the day being mentioned as departures, well no news on Miller, Derbyshire, Blackstock, or Gillett being off.

It’s all rather quiet, save for spurts of conjecture with no real basis.

This is all going to be rather anti climatic isn’t it?

Oh and if I see one more bloody eye joke I might scream.


1600 Update
In an attempt to at least have something salient, I tried leaving it an extra hour. Remember what I said about periods of quiet punctuated with a flurry of mental activity, well....

Liam Bridcutt has started to be wildly linked after a passing mention on Twitter this morning, this has either started to spread like wildfire with little basis, or there is some substance to this. Paul Taylor felt the need to mention on it, that in the absence of a Leadbitter deal it may be plan B. A plan B which would likely be expensive, and I really can’t see one of last seasons top teams selling a vital player. That said, you never know. Brighton have supposedly said he isn't for sale.

Adlene is still being linked with Palace, though after a few hours now the furore has settled. It also doesn’t seem to have moved on anywhere. So it’s still a little unclear. I’d argue the longer these go on without something more concrete that they might have been sheer speculation, but a lot of these rumours slow burn all day and if he was en route to Croydon, well that’s not an quick and easy journey to make.

Stephen McLaughlin is going out on loan to Bristol city, where he joins up with ex Forest boss Sean O’Driscoll. The exposure to regular first team football will surely show whether he will be able to make the step up, and have a huge impact on his future so he has a lot to prove. A lot of hopefully motivating factors for the Irishman.

And now Matty Fryatt is being strongly linked by Sky. Forest apparently with a loan move for the striker. The average reaction on twitter is one of indifference bordering on disappointment. This is before a player is even signed and pulls on a shirt. These same people also usually say trust in Fawaz or Trust in Billy, yet now are complete armchair managers. Anyway, he looks like being the latest solution to the striker issue.


20.30 Update
All very quiet. Doesn't look like anything happening. Not even confirmation of the supposed Moussi and McLaughlin deals. Same old Deadline Day Forest.Thing is we really don't need much anyway. What we have is good enough to be up there.

Should We Take Notice of Friendly's?

Saturday, although I didn’t go and had to “watch” via the medium of Twitter was somewhat of an eye opener. I’ll be honest I don’t see much point in going to friendly's. I’ve been to a few in the past and my view is any game that isn’t competitive, i.e. have anything to play for is boring. How can you get excited when there is absolutely nothing at stake?


But there are those who judging by this weekend seem to think that they are of the most vital importance. And then try and read a lot into games where we may have experimented, tried some new things out, using players differently, or just used it for a training exercise.

The fact that people have been reading so much into certain player’s performances is a bit odd. By this I mainly refer to Matt Derbyshire who is driving a wedge between sets of fans who recognise this may be a fresh start and those who can never see him doing well. I remain unconvinced either way. You cannot ascribe pre season form to what will happen in the regular season, it’s just completely different. You can’t replicate the pressure, or any of the circumstances.

I also have to refer to the droves of fans on Twitter who whilst were were losing 2-1 to Antwerp decided this means we should already write off the season, ship out half the players and start again. The Knee Jerker’s as I have often to referred to as must have blood pressure so high that I’m surprised their heads don’t explode if they get in such a tangle over a game that doesn’t even matter. They just veer from one extreme of emotion to another it seems.

I know footballers are usually not attributed with the highest of intelligence, but they surely have a higher level of intelligence on the game than you or I, it is after all their living. Therefore the fact some people seemed to suggest winning friendly’s builds confidence is a little churlish. Footballers know better than to attribute form from a friendly, onto potential league form, afterall if that was the case, why bother playing anyone decent t and just play non league whipping boys.

Another aspect to friendly’s is this. People see it as a chance to be able to trial tactics, but bear in mind their managers might therefore attend games to scout their future opposition. Throwing a couple of red herrings is also a potential tactic here.

And then there’s the mindless conjecture. A player misses the game; it must mean he’s off? Like what’s happening with Adlene right now, and coupled with the Post doing a none story about how Guedioura may or may not attract Premiership interest and Forest may or may not accept bids, its completely mindless journalism, commenting nothing, but making people sit up and no doubt attracting hits and selling papers. There is nothing in it. But people have put that news together with his absence this weekend and decided he must be off. It’s frankly ridiculous. Adlene was with Fawaz and Billy selling the club to potential sponsors in Kuwait apparently.

But as I say reading too much into Friendly's is a very dangerous game, trying to see what the starting 11 might be, or what the set up looks like, until that first starting XI starts against Huddersfield, we won’t know for sure. So it’s not worth getting aggro about games that don’t matter and don’t really affect anything.

Settled Midfield Reaps Benefits

At the start of this season we signed a glut of midfielders. Considering we were already quite blessed in this position it seemed a strange one. Already in possession of Majewski, McGugan, Moussi, Greening, Reid and Cohen in the midfield we added Gillett, Coppinger, Lansbury, Guedioura, and since the summer McLaughlin.

Lansbury has been able to settle in team under Davies

It led some wags to choose a XI of just midfielders. But what it also led to was a lot of chopping and changing, some of it enforced, some of it for the sake of it to use them all. This led to a very unbalanced side and players badly out of form. Guedioura looked a shell of the player he was last year, Lansbury never settled, McGugan and Majewski seemed peripheral and unneeded.

Fast forward to now and a lots changed there. Instead of the tinkering, there is consistency, and as a result the team is winning.

We started the season with an element of consistency. The same midfield 4 was frequently used right up till we lost a couple against Leeds and some lot called Derby. We went with Gillett, Guedioura, McGugan and Reid. This consistency as I say was partially enforced, Lansbury and Cohen both injured at this stage. The last game of this run of the midfield saw Guedioura get sent off against Palace and so the chopping and changing began, and the form faltered.

If you look from the end of November up to and including the Watford game, a run which many wanted SoD to be sacked during, the form was inconsistent, with horrible defeats, but also quite good results it would look now (0-0 at Brighton doesn’t look bad) Gillett started in that run, but didn’t finish, Moussi taking over, Guedioura and Cohen were used in a majority of games but would be dropped (and sometimes bought on at half time) and Lansbury and McGugan switched in and out the team. Coppinger played a couple of times. In fact the prevalence of early substitutions does smack a little of a manager trying to tinker to get things right, and although now we look fondly back at O’Driscoll period on charge, there were glaring inconsistencies. I for one think we would have got it right, but it was a case of trying to juggle too many balls.

Radi blossoming in new role

The problem is there no –one gets a consistent run of form and it told. When McLeish came in he had a midfield which was largely out of form, he didn’t know his best side, and besides, a midfield is superfluous in a McLeish team as the ball gets humped over them (I again implore you to seek out Aliaksander Hleb’s quotes on this from his spell at Birmingham)

So how was it Billy was instantly able to galvanise this midfield into one that is a constant, in form, and above all free scoring. Well he seemed to decide on a different set of personnel and although in the familiar 1-3 layout, with one deep the other attacking, gave a certain artistic license to Majewski, who revels in such a role. Lansbury gets to be the box to box midfielder, and Guedioura gets treated more a quarter back to control the play. Gillett played this role before but with the quarter back element. Instead of long balls forward, he was more like a rugby scrum half, getting the ball and passing sideways. Guedioura's range of passing far outstrips Gillett’s, and though both don’t shirk the physical side of the game, Guedi is bigger and stronger, and can shrug off challenges.

We have also now settled on a formation. O’Driscoll by and large used the 4-1-3-2 at home but was prone to adjusting to a 4-2-3-1 formation, which didn’t work. Indeed when we altered to this against Wolves for a while we struggled to control the game. The sole forward with less support struggles to maintain possession. Additionally, having the 2 men sitting deeper means we don’t attack in the same force. I am also acutely aware I supported this formation saying many modern teams play it. They do, but that’s in the Premier League.

Whether it was a case of SoD trying to keep people fresh, and that he did have knocks to contend with we will never properly know. But we were doing better before he kept trying to adjust the midfield, and the formation. Billy has faithfully stuck to his 4-1-3-2 and it’s paying dividends. He hasn’t tried to evolve the game to involve more width; he sees what we have and is making the best of it. Players like greening and Moussi are kept involved, but are not integral. The only usual change is to see McGugan come into the fray for whoever looks like they need removing. And he is a great foil to be able to bring on.

I guess the challenge becomes when a result or two goes against us, and maybe then chopping and changing might be seen. When you’re in a great run you don’t makes too many changes, except in our case when the strikers just aren’t firing. I keep seeing people suggest involving more width, or that we should change the structure, but why the hell do anything when the team doesn’t changing? People seem to want to tinker for the sake of it, and what we illustrated above shows that doesn’t work. I think as said before that too many people play Football Manager and think because what happens in a fictional cyber world will play out exactly in reality. It doesn’t work like that.

It’d be interesting to see what happens if Guedioura got injured, would Davies favour this system with either Moussi or Gillett, would he reshuffle to a 4-4-2, a flatter formation with Reid wide or Lansbury on the right? All conjecture. Why change what’s working unless we have to? Consistency. It is the watchword of the day for me, and it shows how obviously it is needed.

Guedi the new DM

Allez Adlene

It’s a new emotion for me today. I always have a passing interest in the African Cup of Nations, but today, and in matter of fact in 3 hours from when I write this, Adlene Guedioura (as far as I know) will become the second ever Forest player to play in the African Cup of Nations.


Of course the previous Forest player to play in this was Junior Agogo in 2008 for Ghana, and he ended up playing a starring role, which ultimately led to a move to Egyptian club Zamalek. Let's hope he does have a starring role, but one that doesn't attract too much unwanted interest.

Algeria face off against their neighbours Tunisia in South Africa. And to be honest apart from Guedi I don’t know too much about either side, giving this the chance to be a real eye opener. In fact it may be worth even putting a couple of quid on Guedioura as an any time goal scorer, we all know he loves to have a pop.

In fact there is somewhat more of an Algerian connection, save for Adlene's brother on Forest’s books Nabil. We also once had Hamza Bencherif of course, who is over the river at Notts County.

So yeah, it’s a nice little change to be able to watch this competition with more than passing interest and with an actual club connection. Algeria probably don’t have the best odds, but for the next 3 games at least they will have my support.

And let’s hope Algeria get into the newspapers for all the right reasons after a troublesome week for the North African nation (yes Forest 24-7 even occasionally dips its toes into the murky world of global geo-politics)

Allez Les Fennecs

What Would Be Our Best Midfield?

I’ve talked at length about the various options in midfield without ever really analysing what might be the best options, discussing other peoples various roles and how this set up works. However the win and performance at Wolves has raised some question marks in my mind about which personnel is best.


Quietly I had wondered whether the midfield attacking three we had been using were the best options. I for one have been chomping at the bit to see what Lansbury can offer from the start. I think Cohen is making himself undroppable, and we all know what Guedioura is capable of, despite not hitting those heights this season yet.

I appreciate the role Reid can play, and his guile and technique with the ball cannot be questioned, but I always wonder about his mobility, and how a more mobile midfield three might be better. The lack of pace and drive has sometimes been a real issue in the midfield. With Jenas and Reid out, Guedioura and Lansbury stepped up and completely seized their chance this week.

I would like if possible to see this midfield set up given a couple of games to see how they run. All the requirements are there, set piece delivery, creativity, drive, finesse. Reid offers an ability with set pieces that a wonderful crossing ability, but I would argue so too does Lansbury.

Looks at the ball Lansbury played on Saturday, 40-50 yards over the top ball perfectly to Sharps path and feet to take on and score. Considering he was schooled by Arsenal it was a very un-Arsenal like ball, essentially being long ball, but it was so much more than just a punt up field than long ball and direct implies. It was crafted, judged and dropped into place for the striker to latch on to. Creative but direct. Very Reid like, but with mobility.

If Guedioura is starting to hit last season’s form and I know one swallow doesn’t make a summer but he was looking far better, and maybe the catalyst for this improvement was playing his old team, and as often happens he played out of his skin. If his form is now getting back to last season it makes him undroppable. He just needs to stop getting sent off. I had a feeling as he approached towards their goal on Saturday and let rip that he’d hit something dangerous, and lo and behold it was unsavable down in the corner. We’ve got our Guedi back.

Cohen I have been impressed with this season. I thought his form may suffer with the long layoff but he seems to have come back determined to make up for the year or so out of the game. There are those who are suggest he isn’t he player many others say he is, that’s its all effort and no class but I completely disagree. We are a better team with Cohen it.

We are yet to see anything of Coppinger, and with Majewski injured the other option would be to see McGugan in, but I think we all know that although he has obvious ability his temperament is questionable and this means with the new better options he is essentially unpickable.

Jenas and Reid will have their roles to play, the problem with Jenas is that yes he is quality, but will he be here after January? Is it worth trying to play someone else into form instead? Reid isn’t going to be able to keep playing all season and will need rests. Weeks like this where we have 3 games in 7 days will be too much for his fitness level. The options of rotation should keep players fresh, but you also want the consistency that playing regularly brings. This is what has hampered Guedioura as he has been in and out the team.

It all bodes well though. If an army marches on its stomach, a team’s promotion bid will rely on its midfield. Yes you need the strong defence, and the goal scorers, but the way we play, needs a strong midfield, and thats what we have.

Transfer Activity Round Up

Basically I’ve not been on the ball so to speak this last week, the Olympics have distracted me from keeping on the pulse transfers wise, as they wind down, so too do I start stop neglecting this.

We reported previously on the signings of Collins and Guedioura, so in essence I need not comment, however in the wider context of what we have done I shall evaluate them further.

Let’s start with Guedioura, or Guedi as I shorten it to save me time and squinting at the screen making sure I spelt it right. Really a must after last season’s starring role, he’s a box to box midfielder, and next to Gillett can provide the energy and enthusiasm, and that sht. He isn’t a lair player, like McGugan or Majewski, and I’d hate to see him pushed out wide to accommodate who I regard o be luxuries of Lewis and Radi. His role will be integral this season.

Collins, at the time we needed any centre half, but now having seen further business it’s easier to see the roles here. Collins is the physical ball winner, good in the air, strong, and not afraid to shirk a tackle. The balance of Ayala alongside means Ayala is the cultured ball playing defender, mopping up Collins interceptions and challenges. This isn’t to say Collis has no culture, but he is there as a Chris Morgan, a Steve Bould, he does the ugly. I am unsure still on either ones pace, so I can’t really comment there.

Next to him will likely be Daniel Ayala, on loan for a season from Norwich, highly thought of there hence only a loan. He first to England to Liverpool and had loan spell at hull. More a ball player central defender it clearly shows O’Driscolls intention for passing game lead from the back, rather than the Chambers/Morgan esque punts up field. Perhaps more in the Wilson guise. Norwich fans were quite animated at the thought of losing him so this bodes well this move.

Greg Halford is a direct Gunter replacement at right back, but he can play in the centre due to his height. My brother is a Sheffield United fan and he speaks very highly of Halford. He has an almighty throw which is an extra weapon. He can play all down the right so hopefully this means some marauding runs, which would mean we need a right winger who is more defensively minded than McCleary was to cover for these, that maybe Moussa, it maybe Coppinger. He is somewhat a journeyman, which speaks that he struggles to settle, perhaps age and maturity might let him do that here.

Harding is the new left back and I admittedly don’t know a great deal about him. Having seen the Villa game though he looked good, and again is a full back that goes for runs and can get in round the back, perhaps good as Reid doesn’t have the greatest mobility down the left and he can be used for link up play. He has a legacy of promotion with Southampton so he knows the division and knows how to win.

Simon Gillett in the midfield is another I know little about, but having seen his play he seems very Paul McKenna like. Dropping deep, collecting the ball and seeking to start build up play, often a role many don’t understand as it’s never one with gets glory and often leads to side of back passes as he seeks to create space. Many fans don’t like this, people round me for instance seem to insist that the ball should always go forward, these people are invariably morons who don’t understand the nuances of the game, and like crazed loons who kick players up in the air more than a cultured midfielder. Gillett can get stuck in though by the looks.

What remains to be bought in is unclear as I spoke about earlier we need a right winger; we need maybe a little extra cover at centre half. Whether al-Rashidi comes in as more experienced cover for Camp than Darlow, which I’d hope means Darlow goes out on loan, and to higher class than Newport County I don’t know.

We may see more departure but I reckon more short term loan deals for the likes of Derbyshire, McGoldrick and Findley. Emergency loans to struggling championship teams as many others couldn’t pay the requisite wages.

But in summary the transfers, though seemingly slow to those who wanted all business done in a week bodes well. We have waited for the right players, not panic bought and have looked to build a team. Last season we tried to chuck too many players together in a cobbled fashion. Derbyshire was signed because he was available, nothing more.

Welcome, Welcome

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

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

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

Transfer Gossip

Well the gossip and rumour mongering about signings for next season has begun, which laughable as Forest always leave their business to the last minute. Anyway, we have been linked with a few players so before today’s big game with Blackpool we will do a brief roundup of the names being mentioned.


Marian Kello

Goalkeeper who was with hearts but negotiated his release from contract last week. Now he is being linked with a free move to Forest amongst other clubs. Capped three times by Slovakia. He was player of the season last year and has been shut out at Hearts after he turned down a move to Austria Vienna. I don’t see this as likely, he wouldn't be a first choice keeper, and we already have Camp, unless Camp is being sold, which may be possible after his form this year at times. Additionally Celtic are interested and obviously they would be more a lure than us.



Brian Woodall

Forest were rumoured to have offered £250,000 for him, which for one is funny as where the hell has that money come from. He hasn't exactly been prolific in League Two this season and we already have a million and one strikers, but this one seems so random that it would maybe have something in it.



Adlene Guedioura

Well, he has dropped vague rumours he would like to extend his stay, but it may be just a case of hedging his bets. Wolves look likely for the drop and he would be perfect for them next year in the Championship. They may well not want to sell. Of course we would love to sign him but the costs may be prohibitive unless we do get taken over by some millionaire as Vital keep desperately trying to suggest (for hits)

The Guedioura Show

Well first of all I will surmise the game on Saturday as saying that we saw what Adlene Guedioura is all about. What a monumental performance he put in for Forest on Saturday. At the centre of most things it was the player we have been screaming out for.

And additionally a goal!! A sweet merciful goal at home. I almost forgot what the Fratelli's sounded like. Poor bloke who has to press that button to play the song has been largely redundant for the past few months.

Garath McCleary did what he is starting to do more, score a long range quality goal. And he did it again this with a low drive into the corner from around 25 yards. And the team celebrated by pointing to the sky and dedicating the goal to Nigel Doughty.


And this had at the start given the game an odd feel. Starting with the minute’s applause for Nigel Doughty. It was strange seeing people cheering for the man that I remember some people denouncing and vilifying a few weeks ago. But that is football.

The minute’s applause was pretty largely respected. And I think largely genuine. The Watford fans also joined in, which was good to see. And it was obvious that it had also enthused the players to put in a performance. Guy Moussi coming to the Trent End before the game pointing at his black arm band and clapping showed what it meant to the players.

We looked bright throughout, and as I say Guedioura was majestic in the middle. McCleary also put in a top showing, and the new defenders all looked the part. Wooton playing at right back was a surprise, but he played well there. It was also interesting to see Elokobi to be unleashed on long throws for a new tactic. Interestingly though mainly in the first half where there was less run up space than if he was on the Main Stand side.

However, when Watford scored it was the air of resignation amongst fans. No-one was hugely shocked, no gasping intake of breath, no anger. Mere acceptance that we conceded.

The second half could have gone both ways, we did play well, and had the better chances, mostly falling to Gunter ghosting in at the back post. He hit the bar, skied a great effort and headed over the bar. This was also after a first half effort, where he looked like he scored lobbing the keeper that shifted wide before being cleared.

Findley also messed up a great chance when a perfect through ball was played by Reid, a truly wonderful pass designed for a pacey striker to latch on to. Findleys first touch though was horrendous and it ran through to the keeper to let the chance go begging.

Frustrating that we failed to win a game there for the taking, but there were a lot of positives to take. The new signings bedded in quickly. We scored. We created chances. We just need to get the extra bite in front of goal.

Bienvenue to Adlene Guedioura

Well from around lunch today came the rumour that we were looking at French born Algerian midfielder Adlene Guedioura, from Wolves.

I have it on good authority from the Wolves poster on 24-7 "Grobbelaargate" that on his day he was one of their best players but has struggled for form since an injury. That making a step down for games might just be what he needs.

A strong midfielder, he also is not afraid to shoot from what I was told, which is pleasing news. It seems he might be simply to replace the hot and cold Moussi, who as of late has been poor, and maybe just maybe Cotterill has had enough. To be fair, the defence has looked shaky this year because they haven't had quality cover, and this guy might be able to provide that.

He appeared in the 2010 World up for Algeria, appearing against England, which means like Robbie Findley we have two players who did so.

There is some talk he may be rolled out as a defender, but it might be an indicator that one is to come in and Cotterill has targeted the midfield as a weak point, or that Jamaal Lascelles is being earmarked to make the step up.