Your Thoughts On The Current Nottingham Forest Manager

[Salvatore Matrecano]

A bit off topic but thats a harsh comment on Soh. The lad is only 19, that makes him the second youngest in the squad and he is actually younger than the majority of the U23 squad. On top of that he has come to a new country, a new club, a new style of play and a foreign language to cope with. Need to give him a break he is one for the future.

Whether it was wise to invest a significant sum in him and in a position that was already well covered is a different matter.

[zicorice]

Now I am getting a bit confused. Why is the clubs leadership looking worrying?

We have now have a squad with what should be on paper at least two very good Championship players for every position.

We also have a manger who has won promotion from the Championship twice.

Not sure how the leadership is to blame for yesterdays loss or for some of the poor performances of late.

We have a good manager with proven success and he has all the tools needed to do the job.

What else can EM do?

I definitely was not blaming club leadership for yesterday's result and I like EM. But the constant change of policy and direction is definitely worrying. 

The transfer policy is constantly changing though. I'm not going to disagree on paper about the squad and 100% agree about CH. However on grass we have a decent 1st XI (though only just started showing it) but the squad has been bloated with numbers mainly of average players. So it remains to be seen if he has all the tools to do the job. The people who brought in the players obviously think so-but it's not looking that way at present.

Last season was actually something of a success- we made progress up the league for 3rd season on trot- but it felt like a failure due to the capitulation and we seemed to suffer a spectacular hangover early this season.

I think that Worrall coming back will change things in our favour and hopefully our attacking talent will flourish too.

The next 6 weeks will be telling - either way.

This season is certainly not done if we can step up as everyone is beating everyone else to a degree.

[Alf]

Now I am getting a bit confused. Why is the clubs leadership looking worrying?

We have now have a squad with what should be on paper at least two very good Championship players for every position.

We also have a manger who has won promotion from the Championship twice.

Not sure how the leadership is to blame for yesterdays loss or for some of the poor performances of late.

We have a good manager with proven success and he has all the tools needed to do the job.

What else can EM do?

Firstly for me it's a total myth that the squad is good enough. Fans have decided that, just like they decided Carvalho was a world beater, and McClaren a high pedigree manager to take us to the next level.

Christie can't defend
Figs is vulnerable
Sow's a total biscuit
Darikwa, Ianwoanou, Blackett, & Bong wouldn't get near a top 6 side
Colback's getting his fitness back - good signing, but clearly needed some months in him
Yates still learning his trade
Freemans out of shape & off the boil - similar to Colback, although not sure he suits Hughton
Grabban's prob got his eye on a move
Bachirou & Cafu? Again, chance of them getting in any top 6 side?
Gurerro looks a nice little grafter, but looks shite in front of goal.
Arter can't get game time for love nor money.

Lolley, Taylor, McKenna, Knockers. 4 top 6 players. Grabban would be in that group if he weren't likely off elsewhere, Ameobi a nice bonus player.

We've also had a 2 managers who have got promoted from this league before. Neither lasted more than half a season, and that's one of the reason I question their decision making. 

I think the decision making behind Jan's recruitment + the resulting poor run & Lamouchi dismissal, are what has lead to the situation where Hughton - a good Champ manager - is working with some good champ players, but overall it's still not clicking yet. It's been thrown together, and it's often not what you do but the way that you do it which gets success.

We've got to maintain auto form, 2ppg, to even get to the playoffs now this season. As far as promotion goes it's almost a write off at a very early stage. And that to me isn't Hughton's fault or the players fault, it's down to the decisions made by the top brass over.

What EM can do is:

1) Stop entrusting recruitment to people who are incredibly naive to this league
2) Stop sacking managers as they try and build
3) Back managers at key times when momentum is with us, like Jan last year
4) Detatch Ventroz & the top brass from the on-pitch/training ground workings

I think we're very much in an AK situation now. Give Hughton 2 years with proper backing and he'll get us up. But we couldn't do that with AK, nor MON, so that's why I'm skeptical.

I don't think we've been awful by any stretch, but I do think we've been naive, and there appears to be a lack of joined up thinking at the club.

If managers fail given the right circumstances then they're the wrong man for the job. But so far no manager under EM has had the right circumstances.

[zicorice]

Now I am getting a bit confused. Why is the clubs leadership looking worrying?

We have now have a squad with what should be on paper at least two very good Championship players for every position.

We also have a manger who has won promotion from the Championship twice.

Not sure how the leadership is to blame for yesterdays loss or for some of the poor performances of late.

We have a good manager with proven success and he has all the tools needed to do the job.

What else can EM do?

Firstly for me it's a total myth that the squad is good enough. Fans have decided that, just like they decided Carvalho was a world beater, and McClaren a high pedigree manager to take us to the next level.

Christie can't defend
Figs is vulnerable
Sow's a total biscuit
Darikwa, Ianwoanou, Blackett, & Bong wouldn't get near a top 6 side
Colback's getting his fitness back - good signing, but clearly needed some months in him
Yates still learning his trade
Freemans out of shape & off the boil - similar to Colback, although not sure he suits Hughton
Grabban's prob got his eye on a move
Bachirou & Cafu? Again, chance of them getting in any top 6 side?
Gurerro looks a nice little grafter, but looks shite in front of goal.
Arter can't get game time for love nor money.

Lolley, Taylor, McKenna, Knockers. 4 top 6 players. Grabban would be in that group if he weren't likely off elsewhere, Ameobi a nice bonus player.

We've also had a 2 managers who have got promoted from this league before. Neither lasted more than half a season, and that's one of the reason I question their decision making. 

I think the decision making behind Jan's recruitment + the resulting poor run & Lamouchi dismissal, are what has lead to the situation where Hughton - a good Champ manager - is working with some good champ players, but overall it's still not clicking yet. It's been thrown together, and it's often not what you do but the way that you do it which gets success.

We've got to maintain auto form, 2ppg, to even get to the playoffs now this season. As far as promotion goes it's almost a write off at a very early stage. And that to me isn't Hughton's fault or the players fault, it's down to the decisions made by the top brass over.

What EM can do is:

1) Stop entrusting recruitment to people who are incredibly naive to this league
2) Stop sacking managers as they try and build
3) Back managers at key times when momentum is with us, like Jan last year
4) Detatch Ventroz & the top brass from the on-pitch/training ground workings

I think we're very much in an AK situation now. Give Hughton 2 years with proper backing and he'll get us up. But we couldn't do that with AK, nor MON, so that's why I'm skeptical.

I don't think we've been awful by any stretch, but I do think we've been naive, and there appears to be a lack of joined up thinking at the club.

If managers fail given the right circumstances then they're the wrong man for the job. But so far no manager under EM has had the right circumstances.

Critical and constructive. You trying get a nomination Alf??

Agree with alot, but think Colback is starting to look much more like his old self. I don't think our problems stem from Centre mid any more. Bong and Knockeart have been top 4 players (twice and thrice) before. Do you think Knockeart has looked like that so far? Obviously Bong hasn't.

EM has certainly put his money where his mouth is, but the amount of investment should be yielding better results by now.

[Alf]

Ha, cheers Zic.

Yeah, I think Colback will be a good player for us, but in terms of recruitment decision making it's more a case of "why not sign him & back the manager who signed him (AK) when things are firing & we're 7th, rather than sacking the manager & waiting after Colback's hardly played for 18 months to sign the player?" But yep, agree with what you say about him eventually coming good anyway.

Bong's promotion was when he was peaking in his late 20's, now at nearly 33 it's a different ball game. In fact to me that's perfect example of how naive our recruitment division have been.

Knockers I think is a massive upgrade on Da Costa, but has blown hot & cold. I like him individually, but think he leaves his side of the pitch vulnerable defensively, and we need a better fullback to back him up (or a least time for a partnership to form, which - considering his loan ends fairly soon, he prob won't get). Again, it's more about recruiting to form a whole rather than just buying random players (whether they are good or not). I don't blame Hughton for that though, he'd barely been here when he got Knockers in.

[Strawberry Avenger]

EM just needs to stick with Hughton.

Simple.

SA.

[PsychoStanleyStone]

I think we will lose the 8 of the next 10 games

Last season, despite a potentially huge squad and seeming depth, the side picked itself

Same this season, except we don't score any fking goals and the poor sods will all be knackered after the trip down to Bournemouth before they even get on the pitch

We don't use any subs and we start with the same sort of set up week after week, month after month

Everyone knows exactly how we will set up, our vulnerabilities and that our bench will consist of 3 left backs.

We coming up against a conveyor belt of well run, confident sides that score goals

We have got 5 good players and 30 passengers, oh yeh, and about 20% of players we sign we never see.

My name is PSS, my favorite players are McGuane and Tachtisidis .. based on there CV's and youtube clips respectively

Dear Chris, the future is bright, the future is lift repairs.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

Now I am getting a bit confused. Why is the clubs leadership looking worrying?

We have now have a squad with what should be on paper at least two very good Championship players for every position.

We also have a manger who has won promotion from the Championship twice.

Not sure how the leadership is to blame for yesterdays loss or for some of the poor performances of late.

We have a good manager with proven success and he has all the tools needed to do the job.

What else can EM do?

What EM can do is:

1) Stop entrusting recruitment to people who are incredibly naive to this league
2) Stop sacking managers as they try and build
3) Back managers at key times when momentum is with us, like Jan last year
4) Detatch Ventroz & the top brass from the on-pitch/training ground workings

I think we're very much in an AK situation now. Give Hughton 2 years with proper backing and he'll get us up. But we couldn't do that with AK, nor MON, so that's why I'm skeptical.

I don't think we've been awful by any stretch, but I do think we've been naive, and there appears to be a lack of joined up thinking at the club.

If managers fail given the right circumstances then they're the wrong man for the job. But so far no manager under EM has had the right circumstances.

1. Gary Brazil is now in charge of domestic recruitment.

2. Who has been sacked when trying to build? Karanka walked out, Sabri was not sacked when many wanted him sacked after Stoke. EM went on and backed him but unfortunately Sabri couldn't turn things around and in the end I am sure that 99% of fans wanted to see Sabri go ion the end.

3. I don't think there is any owner in this league who has given more backing to his managers than EM. If there is then name him.

4.  Vrentzos on the pitch? When did that happen? He sits in the stand and watches games just like every other COE does up and down the country. He may pop down to the training ground too to speak with the manager etc. What is wrong with that? That is his job.

[optimistic_red]

Now I am getting a bit confused. Why is the clubs leadership looking worrying?

We have now have a squad with what should be on paper at least two very good Championship players for every position.

We also have a manger who has won promotion from the Championship twice.

Not sure how the leadership is to blame for yesterdays loss or for some of the poor performances of late.

We have a good manager with proven success and he has all the tools needed to do the job.

What else can EM do?

What EM can do is:

1) Stop entrusting recruitment to people who are incredibly naive to this league
2) Stop sacking managers as they try and build
3) Back managers at key times when momentum is with us, like Jan last year
4) Detatch Ventroz & the top brass from the on-pitch/training ground workings

I think we're very much in an AK situation now. Give Hughton 2 years with proper backing and he'll get us up. But we couldn't do that with AK, nor MON, so that's why I'm skeptical.

I don't think we've been awful by any stretch, but I do think we've been naive, and there appears to be a lack of joined up thinking at the club.

If managers fail given the right circumstances then they're the wrong man for the job. But so far no manager under EM has had the right circumstances.

1. Gary Brazil is now in charge of domestic recruitment.

2. Who has been sacked when trying to build? Karanka walked out, Sabri was not sacked when many wanted him sacked after Stoke. EM went on and backed him but unfortunately Sabri couldn't turn things around and in the end I am sure that 99% of fans wanted to see Sabri go ion the end.

3. I don't think there is any owner in this league who has given more backing to his managers than EM. If there is then name him.

4.  Vrentzos on the pitch? When did that happen? He sits in the stand and watches games just like every other COE does up and down the country. He may pop down to the training ground too to speak with the manager etc. What is wrong with that? That is his job.

1. Good
2. MON was sacked before he had a decent chance. 
Why did Karanka walk out, normally takes 2 to tango.
I agree re Sabri.
3. I think we have a decent owner in EM, far better than a lot of clubs. Certainly don't want to think about changing owner.
4. I have no idea if Vrentzos is good or bad at his job. Although I do understand why he is getting some stick, as he is in charge.

[Alf]

1. Gary Brazil is now in charge of domestic recruitment.

Which seems a bit baffling, as his talent is spotting young talent, not necc people ready for the first team. But we'll see I guess.

And the key word being domestic. If importing random nobodies still remains a key part of our recruitment drive, we're still making the same mistake we have since EM got involved.


2. Who has been sacked when trying to build? Karanka walked out, Sabri was not sacked when many wanted him sacked after Stoke. EM went on and backed him but unfortunately Sabri couldn't turn things around and in the end I am sure that 99% of fans wanted to see Sabri go ion the end.

We all know the story behind the AK fiasco. He was as good as sacked, DT has confirmed this on Twitter.

They didn't back Sabri at a key time. Timing is as important as anything. 

3. I don't think there is any owner in this league who has given more backing to his managers than EM. If there is then name him.

Many have given proven managers like AK & MON more than 6 months. 

4.  Vrentzos on the pitch? When did that happen? He sits in the stand and watches games just like every other COE does up and down the country. He may pop down to the training ground too to speak with the manager etc. What is wrong with that? That is his job.

He's been involved with influencing team selection, again as confirmed by DT (e.g. Ribero). Anyone & everyone I speak to involved with the club doesn't have a good word to say about him.

[wassy04]

Ha, cheers Zic.

Yeah, I think Colback will be a good player for us, but in terms of recruitment decision making it's more a case of "why not sign him & back the manager who signed him (AK) when things are firing & we're 7th, rather than sacking the manager & waiting after Colback's hardly played for 18 months to sign the player?" But yep, agree with what you say about him eventually coming good anyway.

Bong's promotion was when he was peaking in his late 20's, now at nearly 33 it's a different ball game. In fact to me that's  perfect example of how naive our recruitment division have been.

Knockers I think is a massive upgrade on Da Costa, but has blown hot & cold. I like him individually, but think he leaves his side of the pitch vulnerable defensively, and we need a better fullback to back him up (or a least time for a partnership to form, which - considering his loan ends fairly soon, he prob won't get). Again, it's more about recruiting to form a whole rather than just buying random players (whether they are good or not). I don't blame Hughton for that though, he'd barely been here when he got Knockers in.

Quick comment on that. Colback was injured in Jan when it seemed likely we would sign him, certainly heavily rumoured. Given we later did sign him I'd suggest these rumours had merit

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

1. Gary Brazil is now in charge of domestic recruitment.

Which seems a bit baffling, as his talent is spotting young talent, not necc people ready for the first team. But we'll see I guess.

And the key word being domestic. If importing random nobodies still remains a key part of our recruitment drive, we're still making the same mistake we have since EM got involved.


2. Who has been sacked when trying to build? Karanka walked out, Sabri was not sacked when many wanted him sacked after Stoke. EM went on and backed him but unfortunately Sabri couldn't turn things around and in the end I am sure that 99% of fans wanted to see Sabri go ion the end.

We all know the story behind the AK fiasco. He was as good as sacked, DT has confirmed this on Twitter.

They didn't back Sabri at a key time. Timing is as important as anything. 

3. I don't think there is any owner in this league who has given more backing to his managers than EM. If there is then name him.

Many have given proven managers like AK & MON more than 6 months. 

4.  Vrentzos on the pitch? When did that happen? He sits in the stand and watches games just like every other COE does up and down the country. He may pop down to the training ground too to speak with the manager etc. What is wrong with that? That is his job.

He's been involved with influencing team selection, again as confirmed by DT (e.g. Ribero). Anyone & everyone I speak to involved with the club doesn't have a good word to say about him.

With respect Alf I disagree with all your points and just because DT says something it doesn't make it true. In fact I can put up a list of things that he said that aren't true.
You might have your people you speak to who are involved with the club but I have mine too here in Greece. I even have family who work for EM. I prefer to trust my sources.