Garner gone

This was supposedly Garner's chance to shine this season. Today he's signed for Watford for an undisclosed fee.

The writings have been on the wall for one of Tudgay, Garner or McGoldrick following the recent captures of Miller and Derbyshire.

Garner now has the chance to resume his career in the Championship at Watford after a stop start career at Forest since Calderwood left in December 2008.

All the best Joe.

As for Forest incomings, no news as of yet to report.

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Transfer Round Up

As we haven’t done one for a short while, here are the players linked with moves to and from Forest with the window coming to a climax.

Ins

Max Gradel

Sky Sports understands that we were interested in Ivorian international, Max Gradel. Most of us will remember him for being the Shaun Wright Phillips like winger who put two past Forest at Elland Road in April.

Gradel is out of contract next May and Forest face competition from West Ham, Leicester, Fulham and Sochaux.

The official Leeds website today says that a fee of around £4.5m has been reluctantly agreed with St Ettiene after Gradel handed in a transfer request last Tuesday.

Andros Townsend

Another winger whose name has been circling the mill for a few weeks is Andros Townsend.

Some will have recognised him from his excellent display for Spurs in their 5-0 trouncing of Hearts recently – others may know him from a loan spell at Ipswich last season.

Andros is another pacey attacker who’d add some quality to our ailing wings.

Unfortunately for Forest, Townsend it’s looking likely to be a makeshift in the Scott Parker deal between West Ham and Spurs, which will see him join the Hammers on a one year loan.

Ryan Bertrand

This guy must feature in every single one of these round ups that we do.

Yep he’s been linked to us again with another loan move - this time by the Guardian. They say we're retracing him as a solution to that problematic LB position – although Sunday’s game another CB is desperately needed.

We’ll see how this unfolds; more than likely it won't.

Marvin Ogunjimi and Regi Goreux

These two are names that were mentioned on twitter earlier today with most fans believing there is something in it.

Ogunjimi is a 23 year old, Belgian international striker; who has gone from nothing to a national hero inside 12 months.

Like with every other attack minded player we’re linked with, his main attribute is pace. He also has a keen eye for goal with 4 goals in his first 4 international appearances for Belgium.

Goreux is a left winger who can also play right wing and either full back position. He is the last surviving member of Standard Liege’s title winning side of 2009.

It’s hard to decide whether they’ll be good enough with so little known of them.

Outs

Joe Garner

This rumour came from a Forest player – and for the record it wasn’t Joe.

It was believed a few weeks ago that Forest was due to let Garner go to Doncaster on loan for 6 months.

While nothing has materialised since, it might just be worth casting an eye over this move in the coming 24 hours.

Marcus Tudgay

The Evening Post apparently suggests that Milwall and Palace are keeping tabs on Tudgay.

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Miller Signing Spells the End for Tudgay and McGoldrick?

Firstly I was playing with bad puns to report the Miller signing along the lines of "call me Ishmael" quotes or Much the Millers Son. And decided all were unusable and really trying to hard. Besides everyone on planet earth knew this was coming so its hardly news. But yeah, welcome to Ishmael Miller. A big physical fast striker, possibly of the Marlon Harewood or King models of the past.



Its a type of player we missed in the past couple of years. Yeah we had Dele but his mobility was near negligible and so negated all his other work. I feel the strike force is coming together. We have replaced those guys who left us with players in my opinion as good or if not better. Derbyshire is the poacher in Earnshaws mode. Finley is the Tyson speedster. And Miller now the physical tough guy.



All this begs the question now what of Marcus Tudgay and David McGoldrick. Neither of whom have really flattered to deceive lately. McGoldrick to me has to be regraded as largely a failure since signing. An occasional goal, albeit wonder strikes versus Palace and bundling the goal in from close range from a yard haven't made me think he has it. And now there are more strikers vying for his place,it may be time to move him on,or try to fit in him another role. But where. He can sort of play wide, which he might be used as,and he can also sort of play in behind the striker, but he would never be first choice in either of these positions. Most fans would not be disappointed to move him on. True, he hasn't ever really had a chance to have a long term run in the team,but ask yourself whys this? You need to be good enough to get that shot,and right now,it seems Schteve doesn't think he's up to the challenge of leading the line.



Tudgay has never fully convinced me either,and I definitely think his time might be up. To me he was always, not quite a panic buy, but a short term solution to the Dexter Blackstock problem. OK he can hold the ball up,and he has netted a few goals, but as warned to me by a Wednesday supporting mate there will be long periods of him looking completely disinterested and going through the motions. I also think he is not aplayer to be at a top Championship club. His level is a little further down,he doesn't have that spark for me, that certain pazzazz that fills me confidence as well as mystery about what he could do. He's not a guy to make something out of nothing. Which is frustrating as he isn't a bad player. He just isn't great either.



Joe Garner too might well be thinking uh-oh time is up. McClaren seems to have a little more faith in him though, maybe illing to give him a go,and after all he did fairly well for Scunthorpe after going there on loan last season. But by god does he need to sort his attitude out. Against County it was embarrassing watching him have tissy fits, pick fights, and dive extremely badly. Like he wants to be that pantomime villain.



It will be interesting to see how the strike force evolves over the next few matches and who gets picked and who doesn't. What will McClarens choices be,and will he stick to the one up front with McGugan tucked in,or whether that was his repsonse to the squad he inherited. One thing is for certain. It is starting to take his shape more now as more players he has signed come in. Interesting times ahead.

End of Transfer Window Summary

So the window has finally slammed shut on a day that has seen some clubs pay absolutely ridiculous money for certain players - we all know which one in particular I mean.

From a Forest perspective, none of the rumours for players like Martyn Woolford and Gabriel Obertan came to fruition and we end the window with three fantastic signings in Paul Konchesky, Marcus Tudgay and Robbie Findley.

Outgoings have seen Matt Thornhill join Hibernian on a free and Joe Garner sign for Scunthorpe on a loan deal until the end of the season.

To conclude, I'm absolutely delighted with the business we've done in this transfer window. With promotion rivals like QPR and Cardiff all strengthening, it's refreshing to see we're following suit and are definitely prepared to go for one big final push between now and May - which could be argued was our downfall last season.

The likes of Konchesky and Tudgay will offer a wealth of Premiership and Championship experience, respectively, to our relatively young team. In Tudgay's case, he's already showing the impact he can bring to our team with his incredible contribution to games so far. Konchesky on the other hand, can be considered the final piece of our left hand side problems. His excellent attacking and strength attributes will hopefully make him the best left back in the league - and make our defence completely watertight.

As for Findley, he has it all to do but with the guidance of Davies - there is no reason why he won't succeed. The pacey striker and winger needs to adapt to the more competitive and fast nature of the Championship inside his first few months, as well as settle down to life in Nottingham. He could be a slow burner like Stern John originally was or make an immediate impact like Ben Olson did. Either way, I'm sure he is in for a successful time at Forest and we all wish him and every other newcomer a warm City Ground welcome.

As for Thornhill and Garner, their moves are definitely best for both parties.

Thornhill had always had that bit of promise about him but with Raddy, McGugan, Cohen, Moussi and McKenna all in front of him, a serious injury crisis would have been needed for him to make his big breakthrough. He now get's the chance to link up again with Colin Calderwood, who thought very highly of him at the City Ground.

Garner's short term departure to Scunny presents Joe with the chance to prove Forest and any potential suitors that is good enough for this league - especially after his disappointing loan spell at Huddersfield.

We both Joe and Matt all the best.

Some breaking news from an Obertan perspective. Reports are suggesting he has handed in a transfer request at Old Trafford - which has unsurprisingly stunned the club. It is rumoured he is looking for a move back home to France in the Summer - could a loan move to Forest be a short term fix?

But all in all, a highly successful transfer window and excellent work from both Billy and the transfer panel. Dare I say we have a squad that could maybe get us over the finishing line in May.

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Garner signs for Scunthorpe on loan - Woolford to Forest?

Breaking news out of the City ground is Joe Garner has signed for Scunthorpe on loan until the end of the season - I guess it explains why he hasn't been on our bench since his return from Huddersfield.

Garner's chances at Forest have been few and far between since Davies has been in control of the club. A move away to another Championship team is best for both parties - maybe it'll increase Joe's value in time for summer should he be a success.

Further rumours are suggesting Joe Garner's move to Scunthorpe will see left winger Martyn Woolford come to Forest - we'll have to be quick as Bristol City are showing an interest.

Lot's going off at the City Ground today.

As ever, we will keep you posted.