Showing posts with label Nottingham Forest. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nottingham Forest. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

The Benefits of a Good Cup Run

I don't like tempting fate in this way, but I feel compelled to put this down into the site. I have spoken before about how I believe a cup run is to be embraced and not something to be seen as a hindrance to your season.

So I see this as a wonderful opportunity to do something in the cup. I am not suggesting win it, not for a second, but the way the draw has opened up for us offers a really good chance to reach the Quarter Finals for the first time since 1996 when we lost to Villa. The following year we went out to Chesterfield who went on to the Semis in Round 5, and since then? Well not a lot of anything, save for a run to the 5th Round and taking Spurs to replay before exiting, (and being relegated) (Another aside, our league Cup record is even worse, having not made the last 8 since 1993/4 season and limping out to Tranmere)

I am not, and will not belittle the League One sides of Preston and Sheffield United, who now stand between us and the last 8. Either team could beat us, with the Blades accounting for two Premiership teams, and Preston already holding us at home. To assume we'd win either game is folly. They could take us out, and I wouldn't be THAT surprised.

Once you reach the last 8 well things get interesting, considering that the big 4 left in the competition are drawn against each other in the next round, if you make the last 8, there are only really 2 big sides left in that draw. The chances of a more favourable draw increase, in ways that I don't think have happened for us in years. It's not a strange achievement for Championship teams to make the final. Cardiff and Millwall have been there, Bradford from league 2 made the League Cup final, so this isn't all pie in the sky. Imagine if in the last 8, the remaining top sides draw each other, and we draw either Wednesday or Charlton are completely beatable if you draw them, or even anyone else further down the Premier League.
At that  stage it's all possible.
 
But to be honest, a cup run is a great catalyst for a season. look at Bradford. I've spoken before too about even reaching the final can be experience for reaching the Wembley stage in the playoffs.
Also winning begets winning. Creating that winning atmosphere can only be a good thing, and the good feeling it would give the fans would surely seep onto the pitch.
 
Go for it tonight boys is basically what I'm saying. The Cup isn't a hindrance.

Monday, February 3, 2014

Where We're At - A Squad Appraisal

So now the squad is all put together, and although there are potential for loans when the loan window reopens, the anticipated activity there will be much slimmer, with some potential injury cover being the only signings we'd expect. The overall picture is very good, especially as held on the main assets as well as strengthened.


Goalkeeper
We have the quality of the young up and coming Darlow coupled with an experienced older hand in de Vries acting as cover at Forest. It feels better in terms of ability than for a couple of years, when Camp and Smith were both (largely) reliable keepers. Not quite the battles we occasionally used to have but its stable, as in the past we chopped and changed a little. I would love to see Darlow cement himself as a legend in goal as since Crossley it feels like we change keeper every 2 years or so (with a Beasant, Ward, Gerrard, Smith, Camp progression line with few other limited time performers) Evtimov as a third man to cover means we shouldn't ever need him, and he can continue to develop with no limelight or pressure.
Darlow
Defence
The strength in this position is compared to the previous season frightening. We have 2 or 3 bodies for every position, so only the worst run of injuries or suspensions would cause the problems we had till recently. The problem, if you can call it a problem is deciding the best line up. One assumes of monetary value alone its Hobbs and Wilson, should they both be fit, but Lascelles has stepped up admirably, and Collins has been a capable deputy for the last few weeks. We could even put Halford back into the defence as well before we even mention the new boy Gomis. The full back berths have 2 people for each berth, with Jara and Lichaj at right back, and Fox and Harding at left back. This is unheard of for cover in those roles for Forest, especially the old left back spot, and right back looks especially strong in depth with 2 internationals vying for a spot. As said though, what's the best set up? You'd have to probably say Jara, Wilson, Hobbs and Fox, though anyone else stepping in there would be good enough.
Hobbs and Lascelles
Midfield
Like defence, we have such a strength in depth in midfield. The central roles with Reid, Lansbury, and Vaughan having competition from Moussi, Majewski, and with Cohen long term out means there is competition for places. That’s if we go with a midfield 3 as we have been doing for a while, there's even more of a battle if we go with 2. Push onto the wings and Abdoun, Mackie and Paterson are all hitting form and forcing selection issues for the manager. A few of the strikers can drop off that central role to play the advanced midfielder, (Cox especially) meaning the versatility of some players is a bonus. We even can add Greening to the mix, even if he is largely a spent force and likely to never play for us again. This is the only position injuries could really force our hand, but Moussi being back in form means we have extra strength. Jara can also fill in at midfield if needs be too, and Lichaj at right back wouldn’t be weakening the team, so there's that option too.
Lansbury, Paterson and Abdoun
Attack
The attacking options are numerous if not always reliable. Djebbour offers something new and we're not fully sure exactly yet, other than scoring from half a yard versus Yeovil (already better than Findlay then eh?) But bear in mind we have a few options. Cox has been first choice for the last 18 months, and his return isn't great, that said he has been scoring since Christmas, grabbing a lot better ratio of goals per game that he had before. Henderson is as he always has been with Forest, an alternative approach. Physical games are we unleash him and although not always effective he gives defenders something else to think about. Derbyshire, aside from THAT Leeds goal is a waste of time, when he comes on he mindlessly runs about a bit. Tudgay might as well have his back packed ready for a loan move, and Blackstock, heavily out of favour and form before going to Leeds is now out the picture with an injury anyway. If all fails just put Halford up there again, though Mackie plays effectively through the middle too.
Cox and Henderson with Paterson

The Manager
Billy has been backed this window in a way he never got before. That should firstly keep him happy, but secondly give him the tools he wants. It works both ways though. I always thought Billy worked better when he was up against it, backs to the wall, and that’s why post January we'd usually go on a good run. Now, I'm not so sure that mentality would exist, we have a new one to look for. I suppose we could try and get that second spot against the odds, but it Billy has new motivational challenges, with having a large squad to keep happy, rather than the previous attempts with tight knit squads pulling in the same direction. I suppose that’s why many of the spare extra players will get shipped out on loan, so that there aren't unhappy players bringing morale down through lack of action.
Billy
Overall
The squad depth compared to what we have had before is unbelievable. There has always been area that we were less strong in, but now the weak links have been removed. In every squad I can remember in a long time, there was always a position in need of improvement, and now I am not so sure. It augurs well for the rest of the season. We have strength everywhere, injuries are not such a worry, and ready place replacements are there should we need them. We can rotate if players get tired, and so hopefully there will be no playoffs burn out if we go that route. We should stay string all the way till May. Hopefully all of Fawaz investments will pay off and he can see his team in the top flight.
Fawaz

Saturday, February 1, 2014

January 2014 Transfer Window Roundup


It’s been a glorious transfer window for Forest, used to maybe one insipid free transfer or a loan; we have strengthened with 5 new players coming in.

This is more than what we had targeted and coupled with keeping the existing squad together it has to be deemed a success. The only departure saw Miller return to Yeovil but he was peripheral at best anyway.

So what do we know about the new recruits and what will they bring? Here’s a round up

Hobbs

Jack Hobbs
In what was on-going on off saga we finally at the death got our man in Jack Hobbs. The central defender had been an ever present before he got injured, and was then recalled by Hull in an obvious attempt to force our hand to dip into the pockets and sign him. Under pressure from Reading, Wigan and Leicester Hobbs always said he was our favoured choice of destination.
We know of course that Hobbs is a strong central defender and this was somewhat illustrated versus Watford on Thursday night. We know exactly what we got with Jack, and that’s a quality central defender.

David Vaughan
We also know what we are getting with Vaughan, who completely changed our midfield for the better when he arrived. The interplay and balance provided by the 3 of him, Lansbury and Reid started a lot of what has been good lately. He made the deep lying midfielder role his own and shone for his initial loan period with the club. His signing will be vital for the promotion bid.

Danny Fox
Considering we have been after him at left back for a while signals our intent here. With Cohen injured and Harding form intermittent getting in a quality recognised left back with top level experience at Celtic is a major coup and will be help us no end defensively, and hopefully attacking wise too, with interchange down the left.

Djebbour

Rafik Djebbour
An interesting signing and rare one for a club to buying in relatively older players from abroad. Djebbour has come in for a cut price from what we were going to pay in the summer. He offers another option up front and must be an upgrade at least from the likes of Tudgay, Derbyshire and Henderson are aren’t players to push you to the Premier League. Apart from that I don’t want to base opinions on YouTube videos as I could make vids that make me look good. Be interesting to see how quickly he adapts

Gomis
Kevin Gomis
Being a loan it feels relatively pressure free. If he succeeds we can hopefully make it permanent like with Hobbs, if he fails, then it’s not financially cost us much (though what it could cost on a pitch is only one the future can answer) Gomis has top level experience in Ligue 1. Apart rom that I know nothing.

Friday, January 31, 2014

Twitter Idiots: Derby Special

Heres a little tip in life. When 2 days previously you came from 2 goals behind to win a game, you'd think you'd excercise restraint in mocking a team who have just gone 2 goals down, even more so a main rival. Even more so when a tranche of said rival fans now losing 2-0 had been ripped apart for laughing at them being 2-0 down on Twitter.

But not in these cases. Bravo idiots. Thanks for the material.

On the other hand, around half of the Tweets I saved have been since deleted by people trying to cover their tracks and so won't work. If I'd been at home I'd have screen saved them. Ah Well shame, these will have to do.


How did that work out for you? Hope you spend the winnings wisely







Yes, Lets all laugh. At us winning. Brilliant



No, that bubble is still going fine thanks






Yeah that Man of the Match award says Hi

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Pessimism, Forest and Twitter

It’s been an entertaining few days, if you like to subject yourself to the fluctuating moods of the average Forest fan on Twitter. It seems a great many seem to get too involved and can’t bring about any detachment from the on-going situation at the club.

Is this an indicator of a lack of something else to do in some people’s life? Possibly. Is it indicative of today’s world where with on-going 24 hours news and social media we have a great many potential sources of information at our disposal? Yes. And that a great many of the movers and shakers are contactable speaks volumes.

But I have spoken before about this. The nature of new media and its influences on fans expectations and the exchange of ideas and information instantly rather than previous forms mean we always want these answers. Plus we now have transfer windows which drive this kind of activity in a timed frenzy.
But what’s apparent is there is a great deal of pessimism at the core of many fans. And weirdly they seem to revel in it. It’s almost as if some fans can’t wait for a deal to collapse so they can tweet their disappointment or the usual array of told you so’s. There’s no patience and the simple skill of sitting it out and waiting for what happens.

Djebbour
The transfer of Rafik Djebbour has been a typical example since it came to light again this week. Because it’s been on the cards for so long and seems drawn out (international transfers often are) fans instead of waiting for the confirmation immediately start seeing some kind of dark arts at play.
Couple that with that transpired with Hobbs and you have a perfect storm of impatience. Hobbs as well know has left and we had a long piece on here on Friday all about it. The fact we said we’d sorted out a deal for most fans meant it was a done deal forgetting personal terms which it transpired were not agreed. Hobbs realised he could get more money elsewhere, and as any of us would do in our careers held out for more money.

SO it didn’t go through. So because of this example some now hold Fawaz accountable, despite him doing all he could save for smashing the wage structure and then all that involves with possible ramifications with other players inflating their worth.

So instead of seeing the positive that we could be about to sign another player elsewhere in another position, the wailing and the gnashing starts. Because clearly EVERY transfer will go the same way now, despite there not being much evidence. People will cite George Boyd of course but that became obvious there were other games being played there.

Why would Fawaz be “lying” again, would you not think he was chastened by his other experience and only tweet when sure. International clearance can take time (and contrary to other reports Djebbour does not need a work permit, he was born in Grenoble, France) and any smaller details of the deal have to be sorted between Olympiakos and Forest.


Why am I talking about this and pessimism? The following tweets and comments will best illustrate my point.


Just a small sample. And although most of it isn'
t malicious there are seeds of doubt in peoples mind that for some people go from acorns to oaks in record time.

What is apparent is there is a heightened sense of entitlement amongst fans. It's not always healthy. I have no problem with ambition and desire. Where it goes wrong is when fans demand too much.

We will look further at fans demands and what people perceive in regards that in a couple of days.

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Fawaz - Damned if he Tweets, Damned if he Doesn't

It is commonly agreed by a range of fans that to have your chairman as a visible presence eon the internet has been a nice bonus. We have talked before about the fact the difference between Forest under the al-Hasawi regime is a different animal to that of under the Doughty days.

Fawaz though has almost created a rod for his back by trying to keep fans included in the various stages of the transfer process. Now there is confusion with some people between what agreeing a deal and concluding a transfer is. Just because we agreed a deal with a club doesn’t mean the signing is completed. There are myriad things to go wrong. How the deal is be paid, what instalments are paid at what tie, the deal with the player and of course the agent.

So when Fawaz said we had agreed a deal for Hobbs there was all that yet to thrashed out. Now it seems as mentioned the other day it was personal terms with the player that was the stumbling block.  So when Fawaz gets accused of lying by some people about this deal, that person is basically showing a complete lack of basic understanding of how things go down.

Now Fawaz has tweeted that we agreed personal terms with Djebbour and mentioned we just need to thrash out deals with his parent club Olympiakos a lot of fans went into a frenzy about how we are announcing deals before the deal is done. Now maybe Fawaz is being a little premature, but it is a sign that we are trying to do business and are out there agreeing deals. The nature of such a deal was that Olympiakos clearly want to sell, as they nearly reached a deal in the summer, so now we agreed a deal with the player and as said before have to sort out the minute details of the transfer insofar as how much we will be paying and when.

This is where the second part of the article comes in. The fact that people seem angry that we are announcing deals before they are done and could collapse and saying it’s unprofessional. The same people up in arms are often the very same moaning about the lack of news or lack of business in the market. It’s because of these types of tweets about the lack of business and those people who think the moment Jan 1st arrives there should be a revolving door of players coming into the club that moves Fawaz announces these things to keep fans happy, appeased, and buying tickets. It’s an on-going cycle.

But the same pressures can these same problems we experienced, that we announce something about to be done before the ink is dry and everything goes wrong. This then cause fan to accuse the club of a lack of professionalism, and that we need extra help, but if those people weren’t constantly in Fawaz ear he wouldn’t feel this need. Additionally I dread to think of what direct messages on Twitter Fawaz receives from all sorts suggesting deals.

If only fans just let the club get on with doing what they do. There is also an element of everyone believing their opinion has to be heard. And there’s nothing wrong with that, but there’s a lot of who think if they shout loudest their opinion matters most.


Deals will go through when they do. What we don’t need is over the top zealous fans getting on the high horses and creating a bad atmosphere. Fawaz tweets because he genuinely wants to try and keep us informed and appease fan who might be agitated. Don’t them use this as a rope to hang him from when it doesn’t happen.

Friday, January 24, 2014

The Jack Hobbs Debacle

For the whole of January I have restrained from having my say on whats been happening with Hobbs. Following the too and fro about where his future is lying and what or wasn't the deal we had in place for the central defender was.

Until today.

Today it has all reached a head. Hobbs was recalled by Hull, as we all know by now. We also all know that last week Fawaz tweeted he had reached a deal with Hull for the defender. So something in that time has changed or gone wrong.

Here is where the conjecture starts in earnest.

On the one hand there are those who have seen this for what it potentially is. Hull have a defensive cover crisis with the James Chester injury. They have a defender very much in form who they had a right to recall from his loan as there was no permanent deal in place. They have done as much today. They are within their rights, he is their property.

Then there are those who believe there are more sinister forces at work in all of this. That Hull are forcing our hand to go for a deal now instead of all the wrangling that has been going off up till now. They want us to fork out that fee now, rather than the potential arrangements (believed to a be a fee payable once h completes his loan to avoid paying a percentage to Leicester in sell on fees.) Again they are within their rights to do so, but the waters of how morale this get a little murky.

There is also an argument to say that Hobbs stock has risen and when he negotiated with Forest on the deal it wasn't the same terms he had agreed in the summer on the longevity of the deal. Reading were willing to pay more. Hobbs therefore wanted to be paid more (and again rightly so, but then reneging on a gentleman's agreement it seems) And therefore we were not able to finalise a deal meaning he returns to Hull.

All of which must be of interest to Reading. Surely they will make a new move.,

Unless of course this was all a legit move to bring back cover for injuries, in which case it's all academic.

Whats apparent is we should have stopped wrangling and just got a deal in place, but then there's new arguments on trying to get value or just stumping large pots of cash for deals which might not be best value.

Confused? I am. It all makes sense but thinking off all the various permutations and consequences of this just addles to brain.

What is apparent is Hobbs is now no longer at present a Forest player.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Transfer Rumour Roundup


Here is a roundup of the latest stuff doing the rounds… Ins and outs this time

Incoming


Graham
Danny Graham
Strong rumours are we are to sign Danny Graham from Sunderland currently on loan from Sunderland. Graham has had a tough couple of years in front of goal and Sunderland might think dropping a level will be able to instigate some form. Graham had better days with Watford and Swansea so has good form in the past and in the Championship. He would be a good signing, if allowed time to find his feet.

Chris Baird
Northern Irish defender who was on a short team deal with Reading which has expired. Due to injury Reading have delayed offering an extension. Therefore he is a free agent. What with a number of defensive injuries Davies might see him as more than adequate coverage in defence. It could mean Lascelles is off, but I think that unlikely.  Baird is versatile so can play in midfield and at all full back which would be of interest to Forest. For freebie he’d be a wonderful signing.

Bradley
Sonny Bradley
Sonny is a 22 year defender for Portsmouth who this week has been linked. He was released by Hull in the summer and has been playing in League Two for struggling Pompey this season. Being from the north (Hull) he may further a move from the south coast closer to home. To be honest I know nothing of this kid. It seems that maybe it’d been a lazy link, but it’s just so random as to surely have something in it, maybe a scout watched him.


Outgoing

Ishmael Miller
Following his loan at Yeovil it looks likely that the Glovers may well come back in for the big striker. Miller has only a short while left on his contract, but Yeovil surely can’t match what we are paying him (believed to be £16k a week) so it would possibly loan till the summer. At which point we don’t care as this waste of moneys contract will have expired.

Matt Derbyshire
Doncaster are being linked with the perennial sub. Derbyshire is getting quite a lot of action from the bench but like Miller he has high wages and an expiring deal. Should we get rid his wages might be able to fund 2/3 incoming players, or even a Premiership one. Despite that goal versus Leeds I would gladly see him move on. His time is up here.

Derbyshire
Karl Darlow
Being linked with a host of Premiership clubs, and supposedly going to be scouted by Liverpool this coming week. Darlow has been consistent, and we wouldn’t be willing to sell, BUT every player has his price and should a silly offer be received then we’d have to entertain it Also Darlow might lose his focus and have his head turned like Lee Camp formerly did.


Jamaal Lascelles
Lascelles
Like Darlow being linked with top flight clubs. Also rumoured to be getting scouted in upcoming weeks. Lascelles has been linked with the top flight for years (at same time as Bamford was) and could well be attract the interest of top clubs. Like Darlow we don’t need to sell but he might also have had his head turned or receive an offer of silly money. That said if we sell one we won’t sell the other.

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Twitter Idiots - 18-01-2014

Theres been a barrage of idiocy out there since Christmas, so I decided to bring this back up to point and laugh at the idiots out there. Because frankly it's funny.

Lets go back to near the start of the year to Carlton Palmer



Yes Carlton, nice way to try and deflect your stupidity by trying to suggest whilst someone anyone is ill we shouldn't mock you for being an idiot. But you were.

Ahh Flagman, claiming we're obsessed whilst always tweeting about us. The irony


A game on ITV, at 12pm on a Sunday.. Yeah can't understand why.



The fact you fail to equate that the whole of the Championship and League One weren't after him either, but anyway yeah lets just bid on a player because he did well before but has't been able to maintain form.



One mistake ages ago and that should be reason enough to get shot of? It's more than a little harsh. Never mind the awful grammar.

Ah it's another Hannah howler


So melodramatic. Thats about todays Blackburn game by the way.

Heres another special. @seanfromenderby is such a gift for this column but this week he's been better then ever. Constantly in meltdown.


what?


To be fair, both this pair of quotes about Wes are just weird and completely ridiculous.

Maybe he was just being emotional



No he is just a retard.




And this is just weird.

Finally.


Because a cringeworthy appeal to Fawaz that begs to sign a player is going to work. Never mind Billy being in control of targets, lets have a chairman who takes advice off random people on Twitter. All mangers would love that.a

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Double Departure

As we previously said on 24-7 Khaled al-Rashidi has left the club. We said a few weeks ago, taken from tweets from Kuwait that said as much that seemed to fly under many radars.
It'll be no loss to Forest, al-Rashidi never played a game and never sounded like he was going to break through, and the news he has left is no surprise.

Another none surprise is that Nathanial Chalobah has returned to Chelsea after his loan period with the club. His time with the club was somewhat mixed. He started slowly and poorly. He soon started putting in some better performances, but the damage was kind of done. Chalobah seemed to be somewhat indifferent to performing to a high level, which is a problem with young loanee's.

Chalobah might well reappear on loan in the Championship quickly, and will be looking to make quick moves to cement a holding midfielder, though Guy Moussi has returned. "Nate" did grab a couple of goals. al-Rashidi never achieved anything..

Forest Look-a-likes 6

It's back!!! Forest lookalikes! It's been about 18 months since we did this. We have a new batch of lookalikes featuring Forest players.

So without further ado!!

Harry from Dumb and Dumber and Dan Harding

Adnan Januzaj and Chris Cohen
 

Jamie Mackie and Matt Damon

 Andriy Pyatov (Ukraine keeper) and Darius Henderson


Got any others? Then tell us below or go on our pages on either Twitter or Facebook and tell us there and we may include them next time.

Monday, January 6, 2014

F.A. Cup Glory

Well we all by now know the result and if you don't what rock were you hiding beneath for the last 24 hours, but a glorious televised 5-0 for Forest versus an admittedly under strength West Ham saw Forest sail through the Fourth Round.
Paterson

Forest saw the return of Moussi to the line up for Vaughan and Paterson of course in the team on the other flank to Abdoun for Mackie. Save for that the team was pretty much the same as played over Christmas. 

To say things started well is an understatement and from the off we looked the better team. We took a relatively early lead when Paterson was fouled in the area and Abdoun snatched the ball to take the penalty ahead of the likes of Reid and Lansbury who had scored penalties before this season.

Well I said to my friends when he stepped up that I was worried he'd try something stupid. He of course did. One assumes the keeper hadnt been aware of Abdoun or he might have guessed he'd try a "Panenka" penalty. It was almost predictable. Had it been saved he'd have looked monumentally stupid, instead he pulled it off and was acclaimed by some on the net as a genius.

The rest of the half was pretty much us having more of the ball and creating half chances, but the best other chance of the half fell to Ravel Morrison for West Ham whose free kick was well flicked over the bar by the hand of Darlow.

In the second half we overcame a dodgy period to go and complete the rout of West Ham. Jamie Paterson came of age on a Forest shirt with a hat trick of quality and a little bit of luck. His first was a low drilled shot into the corner from a Halford knock down, the second was deflected in from a defender into the bottom right corner, and his third and final goal he collected the ball out wide, ran across the edge of the area and finished into the corner again fora glorious hat trick.

Andy Reid finished the rout with a goal after a cut back from Abdoun and finished into the top of the net. This didn't flatter us at all. It was deserved and I felt sorry for the West Ham fans who must have started so early in the day to come up and watch something so abject. This lasted a short while. I know that when the tables are turned the sympathy is so slow in coming apart from the mocking. 

The attention is all more about Allardyce in today's media, will he hang on to his job after this? What does it mean for their transfer activity? It is less about what it means for Forest, or how good we are, but that's what gets the attention. Not the smaller club, but the Premiership sides travails.. That's the way of the world I guess.

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Forest Facing Battle to Keep Crown Jewels

The downside to any team performing well and especially younger players playing well is that those prize assets will attract attention from bigger fish. Those bigger fish being namely Premiership clubs. Those prize assets being Jamaal Lascelles, Karl Darlow and Henri Lansbury. Yes there are other players playing well (namely Reid) but these 3 have youth on their side and therefore investment potential.
Jamaal Lascelles


There has been rumours for a short while about Lascelles and Darlow being scouted, and many top clubs will have known the potential Lansbury had for a while, and is now realising. The other part of this is that Lansbury game is adapting and evolving and making him more appealing.

The battle is whether we sell for reinvestment opportunities and strengthen the squad. Yes we have cash but we cannot simply ignore and flout Financial Fair Play. Similarly any player has a price, and if someone offers a silly one, and just a very good one would we snap their hands off?

Every player is replaceable, no-one isn't. Lascelles is performing well but by rights he shouldn't have ever had this chance to shine, which he hasn't grasp with both hands, but grappled it to the ground and pummelled into submission, he has taken it so well. He was of course very strongly linked with Arsenal a few years ago. At the start of this season he was being linked with League One loans, namely Cheltenham. Now that's a distant memory.

Karl Darlow
Darlow has grown into a fine keeper. The expectation is with a younger keeper is that there ill be a few errors in the game, stuff he learns to adapt and get better. Not Darlow, he has not really made too many glaring howlers or allowed some bad habits to creep into his game. Indeed he has kept Dorus de Vries as firmly his number 2.

Henri Lansbury when he arrived was regarded as more a creative attacking midfielder, or indeed a wide man. Through necessity and his own development he can now play that deeper role too, and has taken on the mantle of the no.10 shirt very well. This season started with him weighing in with a few more goals, and has now seen him putting in some excellent deeper lying midfielder role.

Henri Lansbury
Now the type of club is the type that many will immediately scoff are not a bigger club and why would they go there. But they are in the Premier League, the holy grail. It is unclear if we will make it this season even if we give it a good go. And for all the calls for Billy for the board to make investment and secure promotion anything could happen. Even Davies would admit every player has a price.

But you only need look at some teams established in the top flight for teams who held on to their top talent. Southampton being a prime example, who held on to top youngsters and are now reaping those rewards as those players improve with them. Lallana and Schneiderlein attracted lots of attention previously. They held, and now look at where they are.

Southampton are ironically one of the linked clubs, with Darlow, as they struggle to settle on a keeper to go forward. Sunderland, and Hull were linked earlier this season. Lascelles has been linked with Spurs amongst others, again Sunderland and Aston Villa. And Villa were also being linked with Lansbury not long ago, along side other mid table Premiership clubs.

We aren't alone. Derby young stars are similarly attracting interest. Will Hughes is a prime example. And would clubs do a Palace and sell now and then loan back, or just sell and reinvest? Or do well hold on and see what could be a peak price drop and lose for nothing, like with McGugan?

Monday, December 30, 2013

The Transfer Windows Coming!! The Transfer Windows Coming!!

And with it come the usual round up of bizarre rumours, the more likely stuff and just other chat. As usual we aren't reporting any of this as news, but merely collating from a number of online sources and looking at its likelihood and suchlike.

The Somewhat Believable

Jordan Rhodes
Jordan Rhodes

For me it just seems this one won't go away. Are we interested? Well who wouldn't be, he's a dangerous striker, and signing him would be as strong a signal we are wanting to u as any, but the money this would involve would be a risk. Add to that if he is available, well I'd expect Premiership clubs to come sniffing around. So one hand its feasible, but I could see us being gazumped. This rumour builds into the next one so we'll see how that if Blackburn sell Rhodes it will lead to them bidding for the next player, who we are also linked with.

Nakhi Wells
Nakhi Wells
23 year old Bermudan striker for Bradford hit the headlines nationwide last year as Bradford made their way to the League Cup final. His form has also continued an upward trajectory. He has been in the goals a lot this season for the Bantams, but we aren't the only club to be rumoured to be interested. He is sought after by many Championship clubs looking at promotion (including QPR) and we could get outbid again. If Blackburn let Rhodes go it is believed Wells is their top target, and they'd have a large chunk of cash in the pocket. So it will be interested to see this all pan out even if it's not us buying.

Lee Wallace
Lee Wallace

With Cohen out till the summer at least and with Harding not impressing there are a number of left backs being linked, amongst them Rangers left back Lee Wallace. Now I am not sure what the current state of finances is at Rangers and the fact he was highly sought after when he went there and vowed to help Rangers fight their way back up the League maybe complications. On paper he is playing in Scottish lower Leagues and should be easily obtained, but this isn't as simple as that as Rangers still hold an aura and some players loyalty. That said, would be a cracking signing, but can't help think someone has thought he's good and Scottish lower leagues, i'll link him. That said it seemed to come from National Press.

Leon Clarke
Clarke

Coventry striker Leon Clarke is on form this year. He's had a bit of a journeyman career up till now and at the age of 28 seems to have found his scoring boots. Or his level. I can't see the club thinking this is the solution to the problem with other younger options available, but with Coventry's ongoing financial troubles he may be obtainable, and we know what they did for McGoldricks career.



The Random Foreign Names Someone Found on Football Manager

Philipp Zulechner

Zulechner
Austrian striker playing for SV Grodig, he's been scoring a few for them in the Austrian Bundesliga, in which his club is the smallest team. I know nothing more about him or his team. £1.5 mill was mentioned.

Ronald Vargas
Plays for Anderlecht in Belgium after transferring from Club Brugge. Venezuelan attacking midfielder, can't see us chasing one of those with already plenty options in those roles. He'd also likely cost quite a bit. But nice try.


The Not Ever Going to Happen

Alfred Finnbogason
Finnbogason

So when your being chased by half a dozen big European clubs because your banging them in the Eredivisie in Holland, your next big move is always going to be second division in England isn;t it? Ahead of say Newcastle, Celtic or Roma, you know clubs who can afford the suggested £12 million fee. Not ever happening.

Nikica Jelavic
Maybe could happen on loan, but Jelavic isn't going to drop from Everton to our level. Plus Everton don;t have a million options up front so might want to hold on to. Unless they bring in someone else. Plus this came from someone saying their source worked in the Ticket Office. Why do people online think the shop staff and ticket ofice staff are privy to ALL transfer goings on.

Twitter Idiots: Festive Special

Its been too long since I did a round up of the stupid crap people blurt out on Twitter in the heat of the moment, or just stupidity in general from fans deluded enough to think their psychotic views speak for the rest of us, but it's been a bumper few days.

Lets start with my favourite tweets of the whole previous Christmas period. Step forward mr Joey Barton.



Not sure if you know the rules Joey, judging by the fact you were suspended and your previous track record with officials it definitely suggests you don't, but assistants flag doesn't stop play. I was told from a very young age that you play to the whistle... But hey ho, don;t let trivialities get in the way.

Like these following QPR fans who need to go and revise the offside law. Realise that we aren't cheats if the ref let it go, and basically to stop being bitter sore kids.




And I just enjoy this pre game tweet for the simple fact you look like a mug now.




Onto the Leeds game, I am trying to make sense of this tweet.



Yes we do cheer a Derbyshire goal against Leeds, because he's a Forest player scoring against you, which isn't remotely similar to a rival team scoring against you. If your going to try and look clever on word play, then I suggest you might want to rethink strategy.



Unlucky not to get a point? You what? You were poxy to get that goal. Admittedly they say weere the best team but to think a lucky late goals mean you were unlucky is laughable.

And Leeds official Twitter feed is embarassing
Harsh? Harsh? Oh behave


The Hannah Section

Yeah I'mn just going to hand over a section to the insanity she drops out.




Followed a few days later by this. And remember she stands by that opinion.



Brilliant.

Anyway, I tried to trawl through the Leeds feed to find embarassing tweets about them deserving being level but they never had a chance to type one out. They're usually that deluded.

We hope to reprise this more next season, but the main idiotic posters have stopped Tweeting Forest stuff these days

Derbyshire Wonder Strike Seals Deserved Win

It was harder to obtain that it really should have been as we bossed the game, but Nottingham Forest have an unlikely hero to thank for scoring the winner against Leeds yesterday in a game that should have been long tied up.

Step forward the much maligned Matt Derbyshire, so much of the periphery of not just the Forest squad but even this game when he was introduced for Abdoun. And i heartily mean that, when we brought Cox on for Mackie we had wanted them to bring Derbyshire back off, as the touches he had made in the 15 mins or so previously could probably be counted on one hand.

But no, that means nothing and what do I know. He was saving it all up to crush Leeds hearts and give Forest that deserved win. He got the ball around 30 yards out, went forward a few yards and from around 20 or so yards lashed home a strike Paddy Kenny had no hope of stopping.

One minute previously Forest fans were in the proverbial dumps. Leeds had equalised, and they looked like getting something out of a game they deserved nothing from. The goal itself perfectly illustrated it, a scrappy ugly goal, after Byram squared and Lascelles managed to get there first, but cleared straight at Darlow who deflected the ball straight to McCormack who scored the goal. It was almost a comedy of errors. Lascelles did everything right getting back and clearing, he was concentrating on the ball, and of course Darlow would would also try and help, but between them the highly rated youngsters inadvertently set up McCormack. Leeds levelled for a minute.

Previously of course we'd bossed it, from Halfords goal early on from a Reid free kick, and a word on Reid, whom everything went through in the team. So much of a fulcrum for the team that Leeds in typical fashion get trying to nobble him to take out or creative outlet. Everything went through the Irishman, and he dictated the play beautifully. Reid's free kick bent to the back post and Halford rose highest and nodded home past stricken Kenny, who was carrying a knock from early on (and if we as first thought was faking it, it was an elaborate long term act)

Reid also should have had a goal, when his range effort shortly before Leeds goal hit the outside of the post. We had other good efforts from Majewski and Abdoun at various moments.

Reid dictated play, but him and Lansbury ran midfield, with Mackie chasing anything and everything, and Abdoun putting in another performance (even if there were a few silly errors again) with the central defenders being towering. A good all round team performance and deserving of the 3 points.

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Glorious Boxing Day Win

Forest got their first home win since September against QPR on Boxing Day with a spectacular and deserved win.

It could and should have been more than the 2-0 win we did have but I think every single Forest fan will no have no complaints about this game having won easily.

QPR it has to be said were not as good as you'd expect, and with a cavalier attacking midfield that offered nothing in defence, I felt it underlined the need for a deeper midfield that we play. Phillips often looked dangerous, but Zamora offered nothing, Kranjcar looked dangerous as he has obvious talent, but his ranged efforts were either wide or saved.

The goals, well to start on that is to overlook the renaissance of Abdoun. I have been critical of him in recent weeks as anyone who follows the Forest 24-7 twitter account will surely testify. But this game he was wonderful. So to describe the goal is to describe a wonderful piece of work from Abdoun. A well whipped cross after scaring the QPR right back and Halford headed in at the back post. It's the Abdoun we hoped for when we first signed him.

The second goal was also an Abdoun assist, and this is where the controversy comes. He played the long ball, and it bypassed Halford, however he didn't touch the ball and therefore didn't assist so Reid wasn't offside. The QPR players saw the flag and stopped, but as there was no whistle, Reid carried on and after a brief conversation the goal counted and QPR went in a rage. Pointlessly. You don't stop without the whistle, it was a basic taught to me as a 6 year old playing at school. Play to the whistle. And to see top professionals claiming otherwise points out how far removed many of these guys are from what we play. It also points out their complete knowledge they knew they were culpable and do not get to make decisions.

Even Joy Barton, suspended and presumably watching at home piped up on Twitter to support them saying their players stopped when the flag was raised. But again Joey, that's not the roles. Flags don't stop play. Whistles do.

And the QPR fans and players citing this as unfair need to remember we battered them. We had many many other gilt edged chances. Halford had a great opportunity, Hobbs had one stopped on the line. And that's just two, there were several others I have since forgotten.

It was great to see, and at home with a good crowd. I wonder what Leeds will bring tomorrow. We often have humdingers against them. Bring them on.

Friday, December 20, 2013

A Week of Hysteria

Apologies again folks for the slightly scattergun approach in updating the blog. I have been busy preparing for Christmas and had a number of life changes I am adapting too. This should all settle down.

I would write a review of the Ipswich game but I think that ship has sailed somewhat and would be a bit of a waste of time to write a match report.

That said the failure to beat a side we are usually successful against and the fact it as goalless has whipped up a storm of hysteria again. Now that were are getting deep in the season there are fans who think that because we aren’t in the top 2 yet or that we are yo-yoing in and out the playoffs that this is failure.

May I remind those people that there is always a Johnny come-lately to the playoffs. That nothing is decided in December and that in all reality these people basically change their mind on the state of play with every result.

Last week after winning against Wednesday and being in the top 6 they’d have all been happy. But following a slightly cryptic Billy interview where we assured us all he gets along with Fawaz despite anything thinking the opposite and then the Ipswich draw that suddenly it was all hand to the pump and time to panic.

Some of what has been said on the net this week is utterly laughable and I’ll cover that later. There are some users I could do a Twitter Idiots special on with the pearls of utter nuttishness than fall from their head through their fingers on the keyboard and on to your screen.

This weeks menagerie of weird rumours was that Jim Price has left/ been sacked / walked the plank. Furthermore are the rumours Billy wants out, but wants sacking to get his new shiny four year contract paid off. There are numerous fanciful transfer rumours flying around too.

I think what it illustrates, and I will look into later, is that students are bored. When they break up from Uni many have nothing to do and seems a handful must be happy just making up rumours. In my head I am thinking and it seems this happens every time around school and Uni holidays, so in my head I’m thinking bored kids and teenagers just make up crap for attention of for Lolz or whatever they think they are doing these days, rather than the actual creating frictions and fissures in the fan base.

It’s ridiculous. It’s not even Christmas, we are on the edge of the playoffs with a number of top players returning from injury and people seem to want to make out this is failure. Maybe your retarded standards but those of us in the real world realise teams don't often just sit in the top 6all season. There are peaks and troughs, and to use a Billy phrase. Up s and downs, Twists and turns.
Enjoy the ride




I would also like to finish this piece, which is my first in a while by paying a momentary tribute to Kev Finnegan, from Vital, who passed away. I often disagreed with his views, but he’s been a contributor to the online Forest community for so long and that can’t be forgotten, he will be missed.

Monday, December 9, 2013

Photographergate

It really is a strange set of events that panned out at Millwall and has subsequently gone back and forth somewhat surrounding the spat between Dan Westwell and Billy Davies.

What initially started as a strange press release from Forest about the actions of Westwall, alluding to inappropriate action. Davies had been seen haranguing the photographer after the match and on initial investigation it all seemed like Billy war with the Post had reached a new level of idiocy.

And then a lot more same to light. For instance that Westwell had been banned from Mansfield in 2007 and been in court for making rude gestures at former chairman of the Stags Keith Haslam. Now Haslam was a very unpopular figure and quite what those gestures were or were not trying to incite is unclear.

Bu even so that’s many years ago against a much disliked chairman at a club... but then there’s more. Westwell then claimed he had been treated harshly at Chester City and made to sit alone, despite many witnesses pointing out quite the contrary, and that pictures of him sitting alone were fabricated post match with other photographers.

This is taken from a Chester City forum about the incident where he apparently was intimidated and made to sit alone. (Link Here)

“As a Football Club we are very disappointed with the tact taken by Mr Dan Westwell, he seems to have circum navigated some of the facts, at present we are considering an Official response to the article but as fans of CCFC I think you should be made aware of the facts. I must point out that we have no axe to grind with Mr Westwell but simply would like the full facts to be known.
Mr Westwell was arrested for an alleged Public Order Offence and bailed until 9th February 2007 over an incident at Mansfield's Field Mill ground the previous Saturday.
He applied for two press badges for the Chester City v Mansfield game and was originally granted them.
We were advised by Mansfield Police to consider the granting of these press badges, because of the above incident but they did recommend that we should allow him in.
After considering all the facts at our disposal we decided that Mr Westwell could be allowed into the ground and was given two Complimentary tickets,he was not allowed pitchside but was allowed to take still photography from behind the perimeter wall from the West Stand.
Mr Westwell was not "constantly watched" by stewards and nor was he put in an area of The West Stand away from other fans. “


Already it seems a man with a very strange agenda. And this isn't going away, here are some quotes taken from something published today on a site that calls itself the home of regional journalism, so we know whose side they will be on. (Link)

“Nottingham Forest later issued a statement on their website describing Dan’s conduct as “unprofessional” but Post editor Mike Sassi said that the allegation is completely unsubstantiated.
“Dan Westwell is a professional sports photographer who has an excellent reputation for his pictures and his journalism,” he told the paper.

In the comments section itself on that site, what appears to be Dan commenting says this
"During the second half I was sat along the touchline in between the half way line and 18 yard box taking photos of the game & Forest bench (as I was doing it for the paper in Nottingham and ironically, giving some pics to Forests programme too!). Billy Davies sent one of his staff out to tell me to stop taking pics of him so I said “ok fair enough” and went back to sit on my camera case along the 18 yard line. Within a few minutes I’d got Jonathan Greening standing behind me watching me edit my pics on my laptop and one of the subs standing 2 yards in front of me blocking my view of the pitch.At full time Billy Davies came straight over to me rather than the Forest fans and started screaming in right in my face “WHERE ARE YOU FROM? WHERE ARE YOU FROM?” The stewards had to pull him away from me. The Millwall fans were going mad & the stewards moved me ‘for my own safety’ even though the Millwall fans were telling BD where to get off and asking me what that was all about. The police asked me as well. I saw a photographer & asked him if he got pics & he got some of Billy right in my face which have gone all over the place now. That is it. Forest then tried to cover their own back (and embarrassment) by making a statement 24 hours later (!) saying I was being unprofessional, this was after Davies himself said in his post match interview that the incident was “nothing”! However they didn’t state what I was doing to make that observation! And they still haven’t done

Which is interesting as it’s practically verbatim word for word said elsewhere. I have been fairly critical of Davies in the past and his methods with the media, but this puzzles me., I can’t believe he’d go nuts at a photographer for nothing, and neither do I think that he did is excusable, you just move on, but I can't help wondering what else there is to this to bring about Davies reaction, and coupled with some liberal use of the truth before it seems odd.


It seems he might not be the most reliable man to listen to with his side of the story, but hell, what can he be doing other than potentially trying to antagonise Davies into a reaction shot or something. Both sides just seem daft on this. Davies for getting involved and the Photographer for gleefully playing this all out in public.
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