The Silence Is Deafening

[Strawberry Avenger]

Following this post from Paplane in another thread it got me thinking:

''AK is the most slippery manager we've had in ages. He never gives anything away and everything he says is guarded. He knows, we know, the media know that we've signed this Karim guy but he just can't bring himself to say it.

I just don't listen to his interviews anymore. 

It's also terrible IMO that apart from two letters from the Chairman, we've heard absolutely diddly squat from either the CEO, chairman, or owners since they all took over control of the club. I'd like to know what the opinion of the club is/was with regard to say, the sale of Brereton & Assombolonga, the purchase of Carvallho, the sacking of Warbs and replacement with AK, the approach to FFP etc etc. Surely it's not too much to ask for someone in authority to stand in front of a mic twice a year and just give a bit of background info''?

Now, during my 20 odd years of living in Greece and being around Greek football I can't ever remember Giannis Vrentzos giving an interview, never.

Marinakis also doesn't give many interviews, they are very very rare.

However like Paplane said above, why can't we hear from Randall, Dowling or Metgod once in a while?

What was the thinking behind the sales of Assombolonga and Brereton? What is the clubs view on safe standing for the start of next season? Are there any plans to build a new Main Stand?  What is the current situation at the club rearding FFP etc etc.

It's hugely frustrating and annoying not to hear what's going on at OUR club.

The fans deserve better. We did our bit by breaking season ticket sales records.

Is it asking too much to get a bit of news from the club back in return?

No less frustrating than the 'annual' sermon from the mount under Nigel Doughty.

'Actions speak louder than words.'  Was indicated by the hierarchy very early on after the take over was complete.

There's plenty of content on the website, twitter etc.  But it's based around training.  The manager.  And the next game.   We mostly got to see Randall beside each new player following a transformative squad reshaping over Jan/Summer.

They let us know we've broken the season ticket records.  20K+.  

Record players, record transfer business £22.5+ million(?), breaking our transfer record and recouped some of that by selling an unproven youngster for £7.5 million.  Record season ticket sales.  Much better overall PR with Johnny Owen on the board and engagement on the community fan level.

As for the rest?

I'll quote myself from the other thread you mention.

"Actions speak louder than words. If they don't, Aitor will get the sack.
I used to like Billy's interviews. Feisty. But he could be evasive too. Aren't all managers?

Aitor maybe guarded. Why not? The media are waiting to hang him with his words. So I guess he chooses them wisely. As he often, rightly points out, his focus is in preparing for the next match and the matters that are within his control. Those other matters are down to the hierarchy to sort. (Now that Forest actually have people in place to run the club...) I'm sure when the new striker is signed and seal on the web site and had a few training sessions Aitor may well talk about him. When there is official news to report. But he did say a few things about the said player. Boilerplate 'He's a good player and I've said if a good player comes along etc.'

The purchase of Car' is a record breaking £13 million. Forest get props for ambition. Whether it works out or not is up to Lady Fickle Fate of Football.

Warburton. Was found out. Forest were pressed, bullied... and once opposition teams got the first goal there was no coming back. Sacked after some dire Christmas performances, it seemed if the players were frightened to play and 'dark forces' sited by Worrall in the dressing room. Forest went into a nose dive spiral that we've seen before in relegation seasons.  

Some nice tippy tappy stuff but I'm not sure he had all the players to do it...and no Championship manager is going to be given three years to find out if he could succeed with his 'youth first' (and some Scottish players transfer) policy. ...and if you don't get along with the hierarchy on recruitment (or anything!) and if your performances don't match your 'confidence' then it's ripe for a sacking. That said, I'll be surprised if Aitor gets three years. (Given Forest's recent history of sackings...I've been amazed he's lasted this long...) How managers do get three years?

Are Forest better under Karanka? Well, be nice if he got an actual full season so we can find out.

Brereton & Assomolonga. The club received £7.5 million(?) and £14 million (?) ie. £20 million for a young player who didn't pull up any trees last season and the other player had a career threatening knee injury.

Shelved under 'Good Business.' That's the kind of money that a club in the Championship just can't turn down. That kind of money pays for a squad overhaul.  

Or in this year's work. £7.5 million for Bre' takes Forest's spending down from £22 million(?) to 'just' £15 million. Which...should keep Forest 'good' in terms of FFP.

I didn't want either sold. However, Forest's survival comes first."

So, a mixed start to the season.  But Villa, despite having Steve Bruce are only 2 points better off than Forest having been 'better run' than Forest for years (and despite having Martin O'Neil as their manager for a good few of their better seasons in the Premier.)  Point being.  There's nothing to say, really.  It's going to take time for Project Forest to get to the promised land.  I'm not sure it will happen this season.  I'll be happy with a top 8 finish.  (Not sure Marinakos will though...)

SA.