Barnes and Reid

Barnes and Reid sounds like a firm of Accountants, but it is fact the latest transfer gossip to emanate from twitter, facebook and assorted other blogs.

It seems mostly conjecture. Both are clubless, both have Forest links and Forest need players. But these two rumours are proving hard to shake off, so maybe, just maybe,there is something to them.

Both would be interesting, though I do think both also represent risks. Reid still struggles with weight and has hardly done much in the last couple of years, save for move about it and not settle anywhere. It might be his star has faded, and we end up with a make weight in the squad. We all know what he can do, but it's a case of does he want to?

Barnes is still young, and was a former academy kid before heading to Derby. He was brightly tipped a few years ago before injury ravaged his early career. Less of a risk than Reid, he might just prove be a bit of shrewd business for the Reds.

It has been mentioned by some this is a done deal to be announced when the window opens tomorrow, though more reliable channels on Twitter (David Jackson of Matchtalk fame) said they expect any deals to be announced next week if they do come to fruition.

One Month After We All Knew, Adebola Leaves

It is ridiculous that at the time people shouted this down saying it's not official,despite every quality news source carrying it,but one month (May 24th was when we wrote about it, and we weren't exactly claiming an exclusive)Dele Adebola has sealed his deal with Hull.

Why anyone doubted it I am unsure. They always have to wait till this time to officially sign with their new club anyway, anyone who plays Football Manager knows that, and anyone who remembers the way we signed Adebola should know that. That deal was known for 2 months before anyone officially admitted it had gone through. My greatest memory of Dele will be his complete inability to control Lee Camps punt up field away at Cardiff and bumbling the ball to McGugan to show him how its done from range. Cheers Dele.

Anyway, he is largely expected to be joined by Paul McKenna at Hull in ex Forest dads army on Humberside. That of course is similarly one of footballs worst kept secrets and will out shortly.

In other news, Nialle Rodney is currently on trial at Bradford, who were apparently shocked we had released the guy, despite him being 20,only played a few games,and not doing lots on loan in League 2. Maybe there's a reason Bradford keep struggling.

In other "interesting" news, big Hamza Bencherif has signed for Notts County. What with Westcarr also being there I am expecting them to sign Ross Gardner and Pascal Formann any day now

Remember When We Sent Players to the World Cup?

Couple of things got me thinking. Just a general sense of looking back to when we were ace, but also the fact that I found these sticker albums online, but remember when we sent players to the World Cup, you'd have vested interest in games for the reason you wanted a Forest player to succeed.

Well here are some of those stickers from those days below. First up our triumvirate we sent to the England squad of 1990. In fact Webb was also in the squad, but had left a year before to play for Manchester United. Also in the England squad were Shilton and Woods, who both of course were former players.


Next, and it really is possible to see the start of the evolution of a foreign influx into the game, comes the USA 94 players. Bryan Roy we signed during the competition. Lars Bohinen of course was there with Norway, before Haaland used to feature for them. And Andrea Silenzi. Although we signed him a year later, it's still interesting to see he was in the squad,so I included him too. Had England qualified we certainly would have sent Pearce along, who knows maybe Collymore.

Moroccan Set to Sign?

I don't like to single out rumours on the net, in fact rather round up a number of rumour,but this one seems to have more legs than many of the other rumours for the simple fact its coming from abroad, in fact the Dutch press.

We are linked with Feyenoord midfielder Karim El Ahmadi,a creative defensive midfielder, who would perfectly fill the McKenna shaped void in the team if and when he leaves.

He currently is contracted to Feyenoord,but is playing on loan in the United Arab Emirates for Al-Ahli Dubai. Although a Moroccan international he is Dutch born, so passports and work permits are not problems.

He cost Feyenoord 5million Euros, but due to their financial problems was loaned out to get him off the wage bill.Therefore it is likely he would be available for much cheaper than that fee probably in the region of £2million,maybe cheaper.

Seems McClaren is wanting to use his knowledge of the Dutch game to good effect

Month by Month 2010/11 Season Review: December

So December was nearly a washout, games being postponed all over following the worst snow we have seen in a generation.

And to illustrate the snow I have taken this brilliant shot of Market Square in the snow. I applaud the genius behind this charade.


We did start the month with other news, namely that England didn't get the World Cup, and therefore Forest wouldn't be getting a new stadium. I personally have mixed views on this. The Main Stand is starting to show its age badly, and a new stadium would be lovely as an environment to watch football in, BUT no doubt for a while like most new stadia the atmosphere would be stale. Pockets of crowd that have organically grown for years would be separated, and no doubt prices would rise also.

Matches against Scunthorpe, Bristol City and Middlesbrough fell foul of the weather. It also left us with a lot of games in hand against teams above us. Which would start to become key as the next few months progressed.

When we did finally get to play again on December 18th against Crystal Palace it had been 3 weeks or so since we last kicked a ball competitively. Chambers opened scoring, as he does with a header froma Lewis McGugan corner. Tudgay would extend the lead with a long range lob when he was set clear with the ball bouncing up and Speroni rushing to him, he looped it over him and into the net, and ultimately this goal made its way on to our goals of the season shortlist. It was also Tudgays first Forest goal. McCleary would finish the romp with a well taken goal after work down the left by Tyson.
Fans reactions were upbeat
Forest7 on the forum said

Good win, job done. Really pleased with Tudgay, took his goal superbly and has good intelligence and awareness. Think Earnie will enjoy playing with him. Earnie was poor though, he was involved, but his touch has gone at the moment, which is worrying and that's why he isn't scoring.

IntotheForest said

Perfect return. Everyone played well and Palace were woeful.

Then just before Christmas broke the news from Scotland that Billy Davies was implicated in the Tommy Sheridan sex scandal. Apparently being involved in orgies, it lead to many a joke about just being there to advise and recommend. I don't think too many Forest were angry at the news, just raising an eyebrow at possibly one of the more bizarre Forest related stories to break in recent times.

Which all lead us to the next and final game of 2010. A little match against some team called Derby at the City Ground on December 28th. Needless to say I think we all remember what happened, but for the sheer pleasure it gives me lets go through it all again.
5-2. yeah, 5. The A5-2 joke started getting tired quick didn't after the game, but, nonetheless 5-2. We took the lead via a Chambers header again,only for Moore to cancel it out. There wasn't the need to worry though, Tudgay then stuck twice to put us in front. The first was a header that barely crossed the line, and his second and our third came from a good cross from Tyson, this one having no doubt whatsoever about its quality.

After half time, we made it 4-1, Tyson,who had one his best ever games in the Red of Forest, before now going to Derby, floated across a ball right across the edge of the 6 yard box, Earnshaw poking it home to send Forest fans into raptures. Commons briefly made things jittery when he scored a long range free kick that completely bamboozled Camp, and then the "Forest fan" celebrated in front of Forest fans (though notably the quieter less vociferous fans) No need to worry because after Leacock absolutely screwed up clearing a ball, Earnshaw raced clear and netted our fifth and consigned Derby to one hell of a beating.

It also left us in a very strong position, on form, free scoring, and flying up the league. Things were looking good. None of the in fighting of previous months, no dissenting voices, just pure unadulterated pleasure (especially for Billy when Tommy was around). Good stuff Forest.

Calderwood Tug o' War

The installation of Chris Hughton as manager at Birmingham City has created a game of tug of war between them and Nottingham Forest over the future of Colin Calderwood.

Calderwood was of course Hughton's assistant at Newcastle, after being our former manager, and now he is very much a man in demand. After it was revealed in the week that McClaren wanted Calderwood to be his assistant and take charge of young player development.

But now following the appointment of Hughton, He wants his former assistant who got Newcastle promoted to join him at St Andrews. All of this of course is forgetting that Hibernian, where Calderwood currently enjoys employment still want to retain their man. They did after all say no approach would be welcome.

All this hullabaloo creates somewhat of a media storm around the Scottish former defender. Maybe it plays into Hibs hand when working out compensation packages. Maybe it shows that genuinely the man is highly regarded, and those Forest fans bemoaning the potential reappointment of Calderwood at the club are wrong.

I think the likelihood would be Calderwood would follow Hughton, he knows he works well with him, and recently. Birmingham will have deeper pockets and can offer European football. However, Calderwood may feel he has work left to be done with Forest. Additionally maybe he wants to carry on with Hibs,and prove he is a good manager.

The coming few days will be very interesting.

Month by Month 2010/11 Season Review: November

November would be the month where the season started coming together, and we motored up the table into contention for the top spots.

It started with a 1-1 draw away at Watford. McGugan scored yet another wonder goal, with an effort from range that looped in. We were in an away slump before hand pretty much save for the Preston game so hopes hadn't been too high. Mutch had put the Hornets into an early lead before McGugans strike saved a point. Watford had been on bad form so really should have been there for the taking, but confidence was still being constructed with Forest.
The views on the forum were as such
Michael 123 said

A very poor return from two away games now heaps the pressure on us to win our two forthcoming home games against good opposition, especially as two tough away games follow that. November really could decide if we are capable of mounting a serious assault on this league. Why didn't Wilson play yesterday?

Manic Loop said

pleased with a point in a game i had down down as a defeat.

Between this game and the Coventry home game next though came another revelation. Billy was reportedly only working 3 days a week and commuting up to Scotland for much of the time to see his family. It would be also the first time that Billys lawyer would start to enter the fray as a character in the season, with Billy saying anyone who has any complaints or questions should contact his lawyer. Sounds familiar.

And so we into a game against Coventry with a lot of disarray. Again fans divided, again questions being off the field rather than on field matters. And it really was an unhappy atmosphere when Coventry took the lead against the run of play. An own goal by Chambers. However Forest hit back with a wonderful Majewski strike, which made the goal of the season short-list, and then in the second half an in swinging Cohen free kick went past everyone into the goal. Not the first or last time this will occur. Coventry would try and fail to equalise, and the song of "she said no Marlon,she said no." echoed around the ground (being directed at ex Forest striker Marlon King and his jail time served for punching a woman who refused his advances)



The next game was a big one, QPR at home Both teams attempting to keep their records, Forests unbeaten home record and QPRs excellent run of of form. So it was hardly a surprising goalless draw. It wasn't a classic, but it showed Forest were the equal of the top team in the division on their day.
The fans views were as follows.
Forest008 said

As for Forest, Gunter, Cohen and Anderson were really poor.
Team lacks any cutting edge, we just don't seem to go for it, Anderson has been dire this season.

IntotheForest said

Don't get why folk were moaning around me and for that matter why any fan is moaning. We were playing top of the league, kept a clean sheet and got a cracking point. Not as if we were playing Scunthorpe or Barnsley and just sat back. We gave them as good as they got and in the end a point was a fair result.

We then scored one of arguably our best results of the season, going to Cardiff with indifferent away form, when they were one of the most fancied teams in the division and coming away with 3 points was magnificent. I think most fans would have taken a draw pre-game, but a triumphant 2-0 was unexpected and welcome even if it did come at a heavy cost.
McGugan scored a great goal to put us ahead. He scored a trademark range effort after good work from Adebola. Blackstock would follow this up by putting us two up. And it was deserved. This wasn't a smash and grab win, we went there and took them out.
This great win was marred however by a season ending injury to Dexter Blackstock. At the time I don't think we quite gauged the effect this would have long term, as Blackstock really could have been a vital player in the latter stages for us, but that's Football, you take what comes to you. What else was galling was Dave Jones complete lack of sympathy, merely suggesting it was something else for Billy Davies to moan about. One manager I am pleased to see the back off.



Between this game and the next Forest pulled off what looked like a wonderful coup in signing Aaron Ramsey on loan from Arsenal. Looking back, it could and should have been so much more, but the early December weather stopped using him how we might have hoped. On the same day we also initially loaned Tudgay which would become a permanent deal, as Blackstocks replacement.



We then went to local rivals Leicester. In front of the Sky camera's we lost 1-0, probably deserved to as well. However the manner of the goal made it hard to take, a rebounded Darius Vassell effort tucked in by Andy King. We had cleared efforts off the line, the game was notable for Forest as Ramseys debut.
The fans views were as such
Forest7 said

I just don't see how our tactic of playing it head height to earnshaw was ever going to work. Our wingers, Anderson, tyson and McCleary just don't make the right decisions and give away possession cheaply. I think January needs to see a replacement for the Moose (ideally Pratley), a genuine replacement for tyson (e.g. Hamill or Coppinger) and a new target man on loan to replace Blackstock (unless Tudgay can do the job).

forestforever32 said

it was drab .......Too much atsnding around watching the opponents instead of getting tackles in....if it weren't for camp and chambers we would have been hammered ....how embarrassing .....

So November still saw slightly indifferent form, but we picked up big points against big teams and had ourselves up near the top. We had picked up a couple more players, although one admittedly on limited loan time so optimism amongst ans was picking up. The slow start was slowly starting to build pace.