Forest .. A Few Concerns

Matt Waterfield returns for his second article for Forest 24-7.

I wrote my first article on 17 June, although I didn’t intend it to be my last I’m shocked that here on Friday 14 October, a mere 4 months later things have changed so much.

I guess I’ll start by highlighting some points from my last post... I said I believed us to be a top 6-10 club who had been playing above our station under Billy Davies, well I still believe that, we’ve just found ourselves playing well below ourselves under Mr McClaren. It just shows what good motivation and team morale can do.

I questioned if Mr McClaren would be able to adapt to the division, he certainly didn’t seem able to manage our defence. We all know we’ve gone from one of the best to the worst in ten games. Other than the obvious Left Back issue (which he and the board denied was a priority close season), messrs Morgan, Chambers and Camp look like different people.

Hmmm, then to the signings, this is what I said in June... “[Signing players] to suit the manager rather than suit the situation. Paying too much for players who struggle to motivate themselves against ʻlower clubsʼ. Successful teams in the
division can play football, but theyʼre almost always built on solid (big/strong/decent pace) players”. For this read Greening, Boateng, and Reid. I hoped McClaren would create a greater pull for potential signings, and I was conscious we kept moving in the right direction. I can honestly say I never imagined we take this many backward steps in such a short time.

There are plenty of topics and discussion on what has happened and where it has all gone wrong, so I’m not going to get too involved in that. The forest fans however seemed spit between half wanting McClaren’s head and half wanting the boards. Although I’ve questioned some of the boards decisions and actions, it was Mr Doughty’s money and down to him to do with it as he saw fit. If he believes it costs too much to pay a players wages for a loan, transfer or whatever than that is his prerogative. I very much doubt the fans calling for his head would stump the percentage of their income like he has, let alone the countless lost millions.

There too were voices defending Mr McClaren, I’m sure he was sold different product to what he received, but he saw how the club was ran previously so he shouldn’t have been so naive to think he would get a blank cheque book. There’s
been a lot of talk about ambition too, I want to make a special point about this. As I am lead to believe the wage bill for this year is higher than last year. We may have less players but they cost more. And it didn’t seem to me the cheque book was closed, just that it had it’s limitations and valuation on players. If Mr McClaren correlated ambition to money he had his share. Maybe a definite pre-agreed budget would saved such hassle?

And now for the baying mob, it has got what it wanted and Mr Doughty has stepped down, I think we will see the club have to cut it’s cloth according. For me the mob was like a spoilt child, having a tantrum in the shop wanting Mummy to spend money on that shiny new toy, now Mummy has gone, who’s going to cook tea? Although he still intends to back the club I think budgets will be set and we will have to live much more within our means. The signing of Steve Cotterill for me is the first sign of this.

And so for a final plea, already the social networking sites are awash with disdain toward the new manager. Please everyone, give him a chance. Stop leaving in Forest cuckoo land. Managers like Martin O’Neil and Jose Mourinho were never likely. Lets get behind Steve Cotterill, give the team some backing, help stabilise the ship, finish in mid-table and try to build for FFP and the playoffs next season.

Follow me on twitter @matto_w

Matto_Out

McClaren... A Few Concerns.

Welcome to brand new writer Matt Waterfield,in what is his first, and depending how this goes maybe last.... I jest... hopefully one of many pieces


Iʼll start by introducing myself, a loyal Forest fan since that fateful day at Hillsborough, a season ticket holder, and one time player at the Academy, or should I say School of Excellence as it was then... showing my age.

I never written anything like this before but recent events at the City Ground have
encouraged me to express my opinions. Firstly Iʼd like to thank Billy Davies for the job he did, yes Iʼm in the half that liked him. Obviously he frustrated me like everyone else and part of me always felt he was trying to be too clever for his own good with the media. But no one can argue whatever happened behind closed doors he galvanised and got the best from the squad.

That leads me to my first point. I believe Forest to have a bit better than average squad in the Championship, Iʼd say league table wise a top 6-10 team. I also believe that Billy maximised the squads ability and consistently got them playing above themselves, hence two play-off semi finals in two years.

And herein lies my concern, I donʼt think anyone can deny Mr McClarens coaching ability, and it concerns me that our current group might not be ready, or have the ability to adapt to a potentially much more tactical approach to the game. Also Mr McClaren needs to adapt to the squad he has and opposition he will face, which Iʼm sure will take time. I think there will be a massive technical shortage with our players compared to his time in Holland and Germany.

If Mr McClaren does identify a potential shortfall in the players to his expectations my next fear leads me to a dark era at Forest, the David Platt era. Signing what are considered players to suit the manager rather than suit the situation. Paying too much for players who struggle to motivate themselves against ʻlower clubsʼ. Successful teams in the division can play football, but theyʼre almost always built on solid (big/strong/decent pace) players.

I hear that one of the things that went against Billy in the end was his decision not to bring Henri Lansbury and Scott Sinclair to the City Ground, two players who excelled at the chosen loan clubs. I can understand the logic, top club reserves with big egoʼs and low work rates, or not as it turned out. I also hear that we struggled to get some players due the manager himself, either the players or the clubs choosing not to send their young prospects to the City Ground.

One thing I think McClaren will bring is a much higher pull factor for potential signings, be it loan or permanent. I just hope we get the right type and donʼt find ourself taking backward steps. Itʼs taken a long time to get back challenging for promotion to the promised land and I sincerely hope we can keep moving in the right direction.

Although Iʼve expressed some concerns in this article I want to make it clear that despite being a Billy fan, Mr McClaren will have my full support. There are too many negative voices at the City Ground, itʼs time we accepted our position in the football hierarchy and get behind the team and the manager. You only need to look at Burnley and Blackpool to see what positive support can do, it doesnʼt keep you up but itʼs a start.

So... Steve McLaren, Great PR man, good coach. Lets hope heʼs the manager to get us
up, for me the jury is still out, but Iʼll be happy to be proved wrong come the end of next season.

Follow me on Twitter @matto_w