The Silence Is Deafening

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

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?

[redreni]

as i posted i would like an interview from other people too. would be interesting and informative.

i dont get the fans deserve better or hugely frustrating part though. makes it sounds like there are loads of things that urgently need addressing. i dont think there are. just lots of stuff that would be nice to know. i would defo like a supporters forum with AK and NR there to answer questions that would be great.

in the meantime the social media and comms from the club are loads better than before. i guess we live in a social media age where we want news every second of the day and panic when there isnt any. maybe things are quiet because behind the scenes things are ok!?

[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.

[Sausage Roll]

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?

I can see both sides to this.

I'm not one of these people who think the club should tell us every little thing, but it would be nice to get an idea of some of the things that are going on behind the scenes - particularly around infrastructure. I can't see the club giving any information about transfer policy (e.g. the sales of BA and BB) - and to be honest, they have no obligation to.

I can understand why they haven't made any statements or communications though, if there's nothing to communicate. Our fans tend to jump on every little thing that's said or even rumoured - e.g. the two infrastructure projects mentioned late last year.

It would be nice to hear something from Marinakis, Vrentzos, Randall or Cook, but only if there's something to hear. Not just for the sake of it.

[Sausage Roll]

That sounds a good idea NG3 - maybe you could contact Forest and suggest it? They can only say no.

Regarding Anfarisard - I suppose AK can't come out and say "Yeah we've signed him" if we haven't. I always work off the assumption that a deal isn't completed until it's on the official site (or even then in the case of Ben Hamer!). They could be waiting for some paperwork or clearance or something. We'd look pretty daft if AK said we'd signed him and then something went tits up.

[Duncan Mckenzie]

We could really do with a Q&A of some sort and it would be great if we had one every 3 months or so.

It connects the fans and it makes them feel more part of things and gives them a voice.

Of course there are certain things the club cannot openly discuss and we as fans appreciate that, however on the other hand they can certainly be a bit more open with the fans than what they currently are.

[ThePromisedLand]

I’m with SA on this.
We’re but a few weeks into the new season with record season card sales. The results have thus forth been disappointing but it is still early days. These results are the real reason for these question marks - if we had started well then nobody would be seeking more transparency.
Let’s just give AK some time - at least give the guy a season. Let’s not start the merrygoround all over again.

[Duncan Mckenzie]

I’m with SA on this.
We’re but a few weeks into the new season with record season card sales. The results have thus forth been disappointing but it is still early days. These results are the real reason for these question marks - if we had started well then nobody would be seeking more transparency.
Let’s just give AK some time - at least give the guy a season. Let’s not start the merrygoround all over again.

If Ak is winning football matches he will get the season if he is not winning football matches he will be dismissed.

That is the brutal truth, I am not going to try and dress it up.

The owners have been here over a year now and we haven't had a peep out of them, once again that is the fact of the matter. 

Some people have no problem with that, that's fine. Personally, I would like to hear from the owner, CEO or The Chairman every now and then.

[Jasper Scarrott]

The owners have been here over a year now and we haven't had a peep out of them, once again that is the fact of the matter. 

Some people have no problem with that, that's fine. Personally, I would like to hear from the owner, CEO or The Chairman every now and then.

Independently of current circumstances I just think it's a nice thing. A chance to hear club views on the stadium, safe standing, catering, middle & long term ambitions, the general state of finances, with an indication of whether to expect spending, or not, or in bad times to explain possible departures, to allow a glimpse behind the curtain.

From personal experience it was nice to see supporters able to say that the clarity had helped them to better understand what was going on, so that they were better able to support the club.

How often online, or even offline occasionally, do you see fans in really unpleasant, often abusive arguments over something where one single sentence of clarity would solve the issue in a heartbeat, & possibly to both sides satisfaction?

Confusion comes from ignorance, clarity from knowledge. Good communication is in everyone's interests & to be fair I do expect to see improvements in these areas.

Let's not forget the new media suite & hospitality facilities will be housed in the new "Main stand", so they may well drag a little in communication until that's completed.

Top post that NG3 and I couldn't agree more.

[the jock]

I’m with SA on this.
We’re but a few weeks into the new season with record season card sales. The results have thus forth been disappointing but it is still early days. These results are the real reason for these question marks - if we had started well then nobody would be seeking more transparency.
Let’s just give AK some time - at least give the guy a season. Let’s not start the merrygoround all over again.

If Ak is winning football matches he will get the season if he is not winning football matches he will be dismissed.

That is the brutal truth, I am not going to try and dress it up.

The owners have been here over a year now and we haven't had a peep out of them, once again that is the fact of the matter. 

Some people have no problem with that, that's fine. Personally, I would like to hear from the owner, CEO or The Chairman every now and then.

[Duncan Mckenzie]

I’m with SA on this.
We’re but a few weeks into the new season with record season card sales. The results have thus forth been disappointing but it is still early days. These results are the real reason for these question marks - if we had started well then nobody would be seeking more transparency.
Let’s just give AK some time - at least give the guy a season. Let’s not start the merrygoround all over again.

If Ak is winning football matches he will get the season if he is not winning football matches he will be dismissed.

That is the brutal truth, I am not going to try and dress it up.

The owners have been here over a year now and we haven't had a peep out of them, once again that is the fact of the matter. 

Some people have no problem with that, that's fine. Personally, I would like to hear from the owner, CEO or The Chairman every now and then.

Yeah, thanks for that Jock, great post, how did you manage to make it invisible :D

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

Somebody needs to come forward and expalin to the fans what is going on.

The Greeks don't like to comminicate with anyone (Randall does a bit).

Does anyone actually know what our CEO Giannis Vrentzos actually looks like?

I only know because I have seen him in Greece.

Many fans are getting very angry and upset.