Samba Sow

[Strawberry Avenger]

It also looks like he's playing with more composure and not jumping into reckless tackles or getting in the face of the refs, which was guaranteeing him a yellow after 20 minutes. I wonder if that's Hughton's influence?

Id written him off as a liability a couple of months ago. He looks back to last year's level now, which was damn impressive.

Agreed. More composed (as are Forest) and an even better influence because of it. He was involved in the 1st goal yesterday.


Clearly Hughton's influence.  And he's not the only player to benefit.

Sow.  Talismanic.

SA.

[GaribaldiRED]

I guess a lot if his improvement will come down to general fitness. Thats why I've not going to write off Freeman or Arter just yet. Probably Lolley too.

I fully agree Pap, Freeman and Arter are both really good players. If they can get back to earlier form (before Forest) we will have two great players. Same goes for Lolley of course.

[Username]

Can I just give a bit of a shout out to Samba Sow? Perhaps he's benefitted in this recent run of playing against weaker sides but its hard to argue with the fact that when he plays we get more points. (If someone could do the stats that would be great)

Even yesterday someone on the match thread said we needed to get rid. Just because he doesn't offer much as an attacking threat, he's still very important. Makes so many interceptions which often start moves as well as break down opposition attacks.

Yes he is injury prone and if we do pull away from the relegation zone we should manage his game time. He does also sometimes do a silly tackle and get booked early in which case he's much less effective but still stats don't lie (I assume)

+1

He also makes Yates a much better player. 

Would you renew his contract in the Summer?

We are well stocked in his position albeit with different types of players. However none of them are as influential IMO

[Strawberry Avenger]

Sow. A nailed on Renew.

People are talking about Worrall and McKenna...

But Yates and Sow have been a midfield revelation.

SA.

[BadDog]

Our run of form unbeaten came when he got put back in the starting 11.

[Strawberry Avenger]

Our run of form unbeaten came when he got put back in the starting 11.

Talismanic.

SA.

[wassy04]

Can I just give a bit of a shout out to Samba Sow? Perhaps he's benefitted in this recent run of playing against weaker sides but its hard to argue with the fact that when he plays we get more points. (If someone could do the stats that would be great)

Even yesterday someone on the match thread said we needed to get rid. Just because he doesn't offer much as an attacking threat, he's still very important. Makes so many interceptions which often start moves as well as break down opposition attacks.

Yes he is injury prone and if we do pull away from the relegation zone we should manage his game time. He does also sometimes do a silly tackle and get booked early in which case he's much less effective but still stats don't lie (I assume)

+1

He also makes Yates a much better player. 

Would you renew his contract in the Summer?

We are well stocked in his position albeit with different types of players. However none of them are as influential IMO

100%, I think he's our second best player behind Worrall. He'd be a prem class player without the injuries which I assume have plagued his entire career. I would like to see him managed and not over-played particularly if the season begins to peter out at some point. Agree with the point on Yates, I think he covers some of Yates weaknesses nicely and allows him to do what he does well.

I would get rid of all the others before him!

[Reds73]

Can I just give a bit of a shout out to Samba Sow? Perhaps he's benefitted in this recent run of playing against weaker sides but its hard to argue with the fact that when he plays we get more points. (If someone could do the stats that would be great)

Even yesterday someone on the match thread said we needed to get rid. Just because he doesn't offer much as an attacking threat, he's still very important. Makes so many interceptions which often start moves as well as break down opposition attacks.

Yes he is injury prone and if we do pull away from the relegation zone we should manage his game time. He does also sometimes do a silly tackle and get booked early in which case he's much less effective but still stats don't lie (I assume)

+1

He also makes Yates a much better player. 

Would you renew his contract in the Summer?

We are well stocked in his position albeit with different types of players. However none of them are as influential IMO

100%, I think he's our second best player behind Worrall. He'd be a prem class player without the injuries which I assume have plagued his entire career. I would like to see him managed and not over-played particularly if the season begins to peter out at some point. Agree with the point on Yates, I think he covers some of Yates weaknesses nicely and allows him to do what he does well.

I would get rid of all the others before him!

I am always very wary of players who have a record of injuries - I don’t think he has ever played 30 games in a season in last 5 years, who suddenly manages to stay fit as his contract is almost up.

I would be very wary personally

[wassy04]

Can I just give a bit of a shout out to Samba Sow? Perhaps he's benefitted in this recent run of playing against weaker sides but its hard to argue with the fact that when he plays we get more points. (If someone could do the stats that would be great)

Even yesterday someone on the match thread said we needed to get rid. Just because he doesn't offer much as an attacking threat, he's still very important. Makes so many interceptions which often start moves as well as break down opposition attacks.

Yes he is injury prone and if we do pull away from the relegation zone we should manage his game time. He does also sometimes do a silly tackle and get booked early in which case he's much less effective but still stats don't lie (I assume)

+1

He also makes Yates a much better player. 

Would you renew his contract in the Summer?

We are well stocked in his position albeit with different types of players. However none of them are as influential IMO

100%, I think he's our second best player behind Worrall. He'd be a prem class player without the injuries which I assume have plagued his entire career. I would like to see him managed and not over-played particularly if the season begins to peter out at some point. Agree with the point on Yates, I think he covers some of Yates weaknesses nicely and allows him to do what he does well.

I would get rid of all the others before him!

I am always very wary of players who have a record of injuries - I don’t think he has ever played 30 games in a season in last 5 years, who suddenly manages to stay fit as his contract is almost up.

I would be very wary personally

I get that, I just think you have to take that as part of his game. Perhaps you weight his contract on appearances more if needed. Would rather have 20 games of Sow than 0 games though.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

I think Sow played 25 times in the Championship last season, if he equals that or even betters it this season then that will be 50 odd games in his two seasons at the club. I think he's done enough to earn another 12-18 months.

[Tricky]

I think Sow played 25 times in the Championship last season, if he equals that or even betters it this season then that will be 50 odd games in his two seasons at the club. I think he's done enough to earn another 12-18 months.

I recall reading somewhere that he loves it in Nottingham as well, so he would be happy to stay

[Strawberry Avenger]

I think Sow played 25 times in the Championship last season, if he equals that or even betters it this season then that will be 50 odd games in his two seasons at the club. I think he's done enough to earn another 12-18 months.

Yes.

Forest's record when he plays speaks for itself.  With two top 6 runs coinciding with his appearance in the team.  The latter run took us back into the top 6 after falling out without him.

Forest's marked decline coincided with Sow's knee injury as we puttered out the top 6.

He got injured during that 1st foray into the top 6 with the relentless march of wed/sat games as we didn't have sufficient cover for him.

This year, we do have cover for Sow in Colback, Fred and Arter!

And I'd wager that Hughton will managed his Squads fitness better because of this depth and because of his experience managing bin this league.  He has already out Mighten in...then out...then back due to fitness.

Sow being in the side coincides with our best run this season and gradually and qualitatively climbing the points and table.

Ordinarily,  if a player is a no play sick note and that when he did play the team wasn't positively impacted I'd say to let them go.

Managers make the difference. Clearly, Sow is fitter as Hughton has let slip in interview that the volume of training is greater (after no preseason it had to be..?). But Sow, as someone pointed out is slimmer and seems fitter. He's not the only player impacted by this. Carrying less weight. Seems less clumsy. But Hughton's man management has Sow making less rash tackles and a more contained pressing style..?

He also showed what he's about in the run up to the 1st goal v Millwall. Millwall had no answer to Yates and Sow. One assisted and the other scored. To me? It was noticeable when Sow went off.

It's a no brainer to renew.  Sow and Yates could play in the Premier.  

SA.