Your Thoughts On The Current Nottingham Forest Manager

[Strawberry Avenger]

Lamouchi is brilliant. What he is doing is working - look at the league table and fact that we're smashing top sides away from home.

What he is doing, is building a core of together players who are ready-now for this league. Dawson, Worrall, Cash, Watson, Sow, Lolley, Grabban. The likes of Yacob & Milo, two players who were nowhere to be seen under MON (a man who values attitude) have no place in a team which is designed to be just that - a team.

What Mouch does lack though is genuine 2nd choice options. Our recruitment this year has, IMO, been largely "make-do". Again. For me Sow & Adomah are the only real genuine quality outfield additions (Samba's been a great buy, but GK-ing is a different kettle of fish, plus the timing of his arrival & origin make me wonder if Mouch recomended him anyway. Speculatory or course). Ribero's been a good buy too, nowt spectacular but a good player in that position.

However, that leaves us with........

Muric - Crap. Sorry, but an awful aquisition. A kid nowhere near ready for the task in hand, in an area which we have a ton of depth, and better, already here. Not ready for Champ promotion.
Ameobi - 3rd choice wildcard. Yeah a decent free, but you're not gonna get promoted playing him every week. He's a bit like Tyson under Billy. The fact that it was a choice between him & Lolley to cover the ACM position last night shows how thin our attacking options are. Wouldn't get into any other top 6 side.
Jenks - Might be great, but has a history or injuries & has so far carried that trend on here.
Chema - Unknown as of yet.
Bostock - Unfit. Not sure that time invested in developing him wouldn't be time better invested in someone like Yates instead. Not yet ready for Champ promotion.
Semedo - Inconsistant. Still clearly needs lots of work, and not a player I'd like to have playing every week. We really look vulnerable when he plays. Again, not a Champ promotion ready player, and again a loan, so why invest time in him?
Silva - Another inconsistant player not ready to play week-in, week-out at this level. Definitely has quality, but is often as bad in equal measure. For me he's a bench option when we need to rely on set peices more. But again, he's not someone who I think would feature much in any other top 6 side.
Mir - Another loan, another player in need of development, and again another one for the "Not ready for Champ promotion" label.

Despite a handful of really good signings, the squad is still severely lacking in quality in depth. We've simply signed too many players who require significant development before being fully up to speed. The fact that Mouch had to start Adomah up top against Arsenal & play both Ameobi & Lolley in ACM last night to me shows how short Mouch is of genuine options.

There were a lot of fans picking holes in our recruitment policy per-season, and that to me has been proven right. We've chanced our arm on gambles, instead of going for proven quality. It's no coincidence that our best attacking option was a player who finished in the top 6 last year in Adomah.

TLDR: I don't think Mouch did much wrong last night. I think his options are very limited, and that any failings this season so far fall at the feet of those recruiting players at the club, not the manager.

I think we can wing it until Jan, and that Lamouchi will keep developing these players, but if fingers for points dropped are getting pointed they should largely be pointed at Modesto & the board, not Lamouchi.

I am a bit shocked by this post to be honest. Signing and losing players is an ongoing thing at all football clubs, we are and always will be a work in progress.

What have Jenkinson, Bostock, Chema, Ameobi, Silva and Semedo done wrong? They are all part of our first team squad and they have all contributed well and will continue to contribute well throughout the season.

I am sorry but I don't understand.

A thought provoking post, Alf but a bit harsh.  Muric doesn't seem to be able to up to it, perhaps.  A young keeper in a 'man's' league like the Championship.  I'll take your point.

But Jenkinson, Rostock, Chema, Ameobi, Silva and Semedo are players who at least give solid case for a top 6 finish.

Last Summer's recruitment under Aitor wasn't balanced and deep enough with quality.  I think there's been a step forward in terms of recruitment.

If you're looking at improvement as a 3 season progression, then Forest have gone from bottom 4 under Warburton dramatic rescue, then lower mid-table under Warburton/Aitor towards top of the mid table under Aitor/Martin and are now joint 2nd under the recent recruitment of coach and '12' new players.

You'd be right to say that much of what's been good about Forest this season has been Worrall, Dawson, Watson, Lolley, Grabban (players brought in under Aitor bar Worrall who was cast out...)

But the incisive competition for players has seen Silva, Ameobi, Semedo score goals and contribute to the points tally and add depth of quality in the midfield.  Particularly Samba Sow who seems to have galvanised Watson along with the Coach.

In short, I think many of the new arrivals have built on the platform of what was good about Forest last season.  Jack has competition.  Cash has competition.  (Bit unlucky that two RBs have injuries.  It's Forest, innit?)  CH and CM has competition in depth.


They tried for a striker  and it didn't come off.  They'll try again in January, I'm sure.

It's hard to argue with being joint 2nd.  1 point off top.  Sure, they aren't playing like they did against Birmingham every week.  But much of what is good about Forest so far is the platform of what was good last season being built upon by some shrewd acquisitions.  They may blow hot and cold.  But the 'Aitor's acquisitions have been here longer.  Some players take longer to settle in.

Bringing on Silva is no replacement for Sow.  But, Ryan Yates is on his way back from injury.  Bostock might not be fully fit.  Maybe The Coach wanted Forest to play it more last night instead of lump it forward.  Early days with the games to be too brutal in our assessment.  But yeah, Muric doesn't have the confidence or composure of the keeper that replaced him.


SA.

[Strawberry Avenger]

Forest are a work in progress Top 6 side who have hit 1st and sit joint 2nd or 3rd on goal diff'.

Not the final solution. But Leeds and WBA have been together longer with their coach or have been recently in the Premier.

And Forest are right behind them.

And they've had the luxury of more time and money.

Forest must have made some sort of progress to be sitting 3rd and part of that is the recruitment of this Summer.

Not all transfers work out. I suspect Murich might be one of those. Some might blow hot and cold. New league. new Coach. New team. That brings about inconsistency of performance.

But I'll take a lucky manager. Maybe we have one of those. But he doesn't seem daft to me.

We'll know more after 15 games. After another international break perhaps. Forest are carrying a 'few' injuries (typical Forest to have 5-7 injuries....)

But this time, the Forest squad seems to be able to cope with it. And that's been down to an improvement in the quality and depth of the recruitment. In that, those players can at least play their part. Semedo, Silva, Rib' etc. Seem to have the quality to do just that.

Samba Sow has been a star acquisition. It's helped reboot the midfield. I wonder if Malta Red likes him and thinks the Forest midfield have improved?

SA.

[Strawberry Avenger]

And I note the features of that recruitment. Just as an aside. Forest have taller, more powerful physical players who are more robust and can play a bit. See Sow. See Ameobi. Two players who have been pivotal adding strength and power...pace and goals and build up play for goals.

That's a definite plus that recruitment is beginning to understand this league and what it takes to get out of it. And that you need depth as well to your squad.

SA.

[Kranky]

With the occasional upgrade thrown in

[Sabricadabra]

Lamouchi is brilliant. What he is doing is working - look at the league table and fact that we're smashing top sides away from home.

What he is doing, is building a core of together players who are ready-now for this league. Dawson, Worrall, Cash, Watson, Sow, Lolley, Grabban. The likes of Yacob & Milo, two players who were nowhere to be seen under MON (a man who values attitude) have no place in a team which is designed to be just that - a team.

What Mouch does lack though is genuine 2nd choice options. Our recruitment this year has, IMO, been largely "make-do". Again. For me Sow & Adomah are the only real genuine quality outfield additions (Samba's been a great buy, but GK-ing is a different kettle of fish, plus the timing of his arrival & origin make me wonder if Mouch recomended him anyway. Speculatory or course). Ribero's been a good buy too, nowt spectacular but a good player in that position.

However, that leaves us with........

Muric - Crap. Sorry, but an awful aquisition. A kid nowhere near ready for the task in hand, in an area which we have a ton of depth, and better, already here. Not ready for Champ promotion.
Ameobi - 3rd choice wildcard. Yeah a decent free, but you're not gonna get promoted playing him every week. He's a bit like Tyson under Billy. The fact that it was a choice between him & Lolley to cover the ACM position last night shows how thin our attacking options are. Wouldn't get into any other top 6 side.
Jenks - Might be great, but has a history or injuries & has so far carried that trend on here.
Chema - Unknown as of yet.
Bostock - Unfit. Not sure that time invested in developing him wouldn't be time better invested in someone like Yates instead. Not yet ready for Champ promotion.
Semedo - Inconsistant. Still clearly needs lots of work, and not a player I'd like to have playing every week. We really look vulnerable when he plays. Again, not a Champ promotion ready player, and again a loan, so why invest time in him?
Silva - Another inconsistant player not ready to play week-in, week-out at this level. Definitely has quality, but is often as bad in equal measure. For me he's a bench option when we need to rely on set peices more. But again, he's not someone who I think would feature much in any other top 6 side.
Mir - Another loan, another player in need of development, and again another one for the "Not ready for Champ promotion" label.

Despite a handful of really good signings, the squad is still severely lacking in quality in depth. We've simply signed too many players who require significant development before being fully up to speed. The fact that Mouch had to start Adomah up top against Arsenal & play both Ameobi & Lolley in ACM last night to me shows how short Mouch is of genuine options.

There were a lot of fans picking holes in our recruitment policy per-season, and that to me has been proven right. We've chanced our arm on gambles, instead of going for proven quality. It's no coincidence that our best attacking option was a player who finished in the top 6 last year in Adomah.

TLDR: I don't think Mouch did much wrong last night. I think his options are very limited, and that any failings this season so far fall at the feet of those recruiting players at the club, not the manager.

I think we can wing it until Jan, and that Lamouchi will keep developing these players, but if fingers for points dropped are getting pointed they should largely be pointed at Modesto & the board, not Lamouchi.

I disagree with most of this.

We are two points off the top after ten games, yet summer recruitment was poor. What?

Other than in attack we have very good squad depth. Look how our second XI destroyed Derby’s second XI.
Recruitment has been very good, if not perfect.
No club has perfect recruitment, it is a hit/miss game.

Some fans expect perfection and make a habit of criticising the club regardless, but recruitment has greatly improved since EM took over as evidenced by the improvement in League position year on year.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

This ^ I agree with Sabricadabra.

[Alf]

Lamouchi is brilliant. What he is doing is working - look at the league table and fact that we're smashing top sides away from home.

What he is doing, is building a core of together players who are ready-now for this league. Dawson, Worrall, Cash, Watson, Sow, Lolley, Grabban. The likes of Yacob & Milo, two players who were nowhere to be seen under MON (a man who values attitude) have no place in a team which is designed to be just that - a team.

What Mouch does lack though is genuine 2nd choice options. Our recruitment this year has, IMO, been largely "make-do". Again. For me Sow & Adomah are the only real genuine quality outfield additions (Samba's been a great buy, but GK-ing is a different kettle of fish, plus the timing of his arrival & origin make me wonder if Mouch recomended him anyway. Speculatory or course). Ribero's been a good buy too, nowt spectacular but a good player in that position.

However, that leaves us with........

Muric - Crap. Sorry, but an awful aquisition. A kid nowhere near ready for the task in hand, in an area which we have a ton of depth, and better, already here. Not ready for Champ promotion.
Ameobi - 3rd choice wildcard. Yeah a decent free, but you're not gonna get promoted playing him every week. He's a bit like Tyson under Billy. The fact that it was a choice between him & Lolley to cover the ACM position last night shows how thin our attacking options are. Wouldn't get into any other top 6 side.
Jenks - Might be great, but has a history or injuries & has so far carried that trend on here.
Chema - Unknown as of yet.
Bostock - Unfit. Not sure that time invested in developing him wouldn't be time better invested in someone like Yates instead. Not yet ready for Champ promotion.
Semedo - Inconsistant. Still clearly needs lots of work, and not a player I'd like to have playing every week. We really look vulnerable when he plays. Again, not a Champ promotion ready player, and again a loan, so why invest time in him?
Silva - Another inconsistant player not ready to play week-in, week-out at this level. Definitely has quality, but is often as bad in equal measure. For me he's a bench option when we need to rely on set peices more. But again, he's not someone who I think would feature much in any other top 6 side.
Mir - Another loan, another player in need of development, and again another one for the "Not ready for Champ promotion" label.

Despite a handful of really good signings, the squad is still severely lacking in quality in depth. We've simply signed too many players who require significant development before being fully up to speed. The fact that Mouch had to start Adomah up top against Arsenal & play both Ameobi & Lolley in ACM last night to me shows how short Mouch is of genuine options.

There were a lot of fans picking holes in our recruitment policy per-season, and that to me has been proven right. We've chanced our arm on gambles, instead of going for proven quality. It's no coincidence that our best attacking option was a player who finished in the top 6 last year in Adomah.

TLDR: I don't think Mouch did much wrong last night. I think his options are very limited, and that any failings this season so far fall at the feet of those recruiting players at the club, not the manager.

I think we can wing it until Jan, and that Lamouchi will keep developing these players, but if fingers for points dropped are getting pointed they should largely be pointed at Modesto & the board, not Lamouchi.

I disagree with most of this.

We are two points off the top after ten games, yet summer recruitment was poor. What?

Other than in attack we have very good squad depth. Look how our second XI destroyed Derby’s second XI.
Recruitment has been very good, if not perfect.
No club has perfect recruitment, it is a hit/miss game.

Some fans expect perfection and make a habit of criticising the club regardless, but recruitment has greatly improved since EM took over as evidenced by the improvement in League position year on year.

Not poor, just the area where we can improve.

Two points off top after 10 games? With these players making the most game time:

Worrall 900min
Grabban 900min
Watson 860min
Daws 754min
Robinson 720min
Cash 703min
Lolley 693min

ALL of the top 7 players already at the club from pervious seasons.

Fans have a habit of seeing areas where we can improve as criticism. I'm not unhappy with recruitment, I just think it's the area we need to improve on come Jan, and that the squad is still short of key additions.

[Widdow]

At this moment, isn't it nice to have a manager than all Forest fans seem to be behind.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

At this moment, isn't it nice to have a manager than all Forest fans seem to be behind.

Very true that Widdow lad. We are all united behind Sabri and I think we can say the same about our owners.

[Mcforest]

I like SL and i really like the 4-1-4-1 formation we play even though when i first saw it on paper i was like seems very defensive. But the room it gives for players to build and the move ball to go forward quickly i love it. I've actually nicked it for the academy teams i run up here. Its so much simpler to explain and players to understand roles than a 4-3-3 we had been teaching them for when they move up.

[ThePromisedLand]

Though more like 4:2:3:1 of late.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

A bit of both. When Watson go's forward Sow will drop back in and cover him and vice versa.