Your Thoughts On The Current Nottingham Forest Manager

[Marinakis Red]

Totally agree mate, quality post and exactly how I am reading the current situation at forest.

[wassy04]

I'll be amazed if Hughton lasts the season. I think his approach and Murphy's ideals are totally at odds.

With the shift in thinking at Forest this summer, Hughton very much looks like the odd man out.  Be interesting to see what he makes of the type of players we're being linked to and seemingly targeting.  If he had it his way I suspect we'd see a lot more 'experienced' professionals and a lot less young lads striving to make their name.

He is obviously a thoroughly respected bloke, well liked in the game and I think he will always have relative success in his perfered style.  Is it for the betterment of the club? Not convinced it is.  Brighton cut ties when they moved to the more forward thinking dynamic in football.

That said, there is a fine balancing act right now.  We're coming off the back of a very poor season.  We've got 2/3 gaping holes in the squad we really need to fill and we're probably a slightly vulnerable team at the minute.  So Hughton will perhaps be the right man to start the season and see us through what might be a difficult start to the season. 

This year is definitely about stability when implementing change.  He may not enjoy it, but it might work out quite well for us in the long term, whilst Murphy and co put the pieces in place to truly shape the changing dynamic of the club.

My biggest hope (fear?) is that Murphy is truly backed to implement the change needed and be supported in his decisions.  From what he has achieved in his short time in the game, in combination with what he says he wants, i'm excited.  I hope Marinakis and co give him the time and tools needed to make it work.

Hughton is an experienced professional, I'm sure he can at least attempt to adapt to Murphy's style of work. Perhaps being forced to work in a different environment where he's forced to pick younger players more regularly and rely less on experience allows CH to grow and develop. 

Might be like when SOD came and joined Cotterill and created a dream team. Maybe it's what CH needed, who knows!

[tugger2018]

Spot on SSM that’s exactly as I see it and I think Hughton knows this will probably his last job at his age so will be in no rush to leave

[Strawberry Avenger]

To judge any manager. He needs to bring in his own players.

So far, it's been a Goal Keeper. I'm sure Hughton would have liked things to be 'done' by now. I'm sure he's not the only manager who thinks that with a month to go in the transfer window.

It's not idea pre-season prep' with the last two game cancellations and 'no new' outfield players. About a week until the Coventry game?

But I guess Johnston is like a new player. And young Mighten? Is getting ready for take off.

At least Forest have had some wins this pre-season (and I quite fancied them to give the two cancelled teams a 'real' game.). Unlike the catastrophic system failure of last year's pre-season disaster.

SA.

[SSM]

I think the biggest fear is he is allowed to bring in his own players.

He did last season in Knockaert and Murray. Two huge earns, back end of their careers, AK a huge loan fee to boot, and they both contributed next to sweet FA. We then got lucky that Harry Arter warned Dan Gosling off who was on his way.

No thanks to Hughton picking who he wants to sign.

[Strawberry Avenger]

I think the biggest fear is he is allowed to bring in his own players.

He did last season in Knockaert and Murray.  Two huge earns, back end of their careers, AK a huge loan fee to boot, and they both contributed next to sweet FA.  We then got lucky that Harry Arter warned Dan Gosling off who was on his way. 

No thanks to Hughton picking who he wants to sign.

Knockaert didn't fulfil his full potential.  But he still contributed key moments of magic at the right time.  Like wise Murray with his initial impact.  In a knee jerk January transfer window it did buy Forest 'vital' points.

We forget that the same window, Hughton brought in Garner, Krov'...and made Cafu a perm'.

I think the coalition 'tween our new dashing CEO and Hughton will prove fruitful in time.  But it's in the proof of the pudding.  

SA.

[SSM]

I think the biggest fear is he is allowed to bring in his own players.

He did last season in Knockaert and Murray.  Two huge earns, back end of their careers, AK a huge loan fee to boot, and they both contributed next to sweet FA.  We then got lucky that Harry Arter warned Dan Gosling off who was on his way. 

No thanks to Hughton picking who he wants to sign.

Knockaert didn't fulfil his full potential.  But he still contributed key moments of magic at the right time.  Like wise Murray with his initial impact.  In a knee jerk January transfer window it did buy Forest 'vital' points.

We forget that the same window, Hughton brought in Garner, Krov'...and made Cafu a perm'.

I think the coalition 'tween our new dashing CEO and Hughton will prove fruitful in time.  But it's in the proof of the pudding.  

SA.

Knockaert scored and assisted in games we lost, bar one, where he scored the 3rd in a 3-0 win against Wycombe.

He did nutmeg someone though on the halfway line.  Outside of that he lost the ball, gave up countless fouls and got sent off.  He was as fruitful as Lica was.  Just a lot more expensive.

Cafu was chucked at us by Olympiacos.

Garner funnily joined at the time Brazil was moved into his new role whereby he has more influence in identifying first team players.  Krovinovic came from Benfica, whereby Marinakis has a good relationship. 

I've got as much faith in Chrus Hughton identifying players that benefit the club now and in the future as I have Gaetan Bong in being a solid and dependable left-back for us this season.

[Alf]

I don't think Hughton & Murphy are an ideal fit, but they are both very professional people, and I think that both will at least try to make things work.

Garner should be largely credited to Hughton though. Last season one of Man U's staff (can't remember who) stated that they valued Hughton as a manager who'd look after Garner well, hence one of the reasons why he came here in the first place.

“Chris Hughton was one of the attractions for us, to be quite honest with you, with us selecting Forest. I think all of our coaches, and myself, have great respect for Chris. He has a great reputation for the way he treats players, which is important for us.

“On top of that, with him really fancying James as a player, and the fact he’s going to treat him well, educate him well, was massive in making the decision.”

Even if Brazil was involved, you can't dismiss Hughton's hugely positive influence in making that move happen.

[stirred]

Mighten was getting regular minutes, and had just had his first start, before Hughton arrived, and had looked decent. Better than what else we had.
Hughton relegated him to not playing in favour of more experienced players who didn't perform. Not a minute for 12 matches.

Mbe Soh started Sabri's last 2 matches then nothing for 14 matches under Hughton, while the more experienced Figuieredo gave a goal away on a regular basis. In fact Mbe Soh only got a look in because Figs served a suspension, and was quickly out again.

Garner would never have been here if it was up to Hughton. He wanted Gosling, another guy on big wages past his best to go with Knockaert & Murphy. We only got Garner 'cos Gosling turned us down.

His previous record with youth, see Brighton, was nothing short of appalling.

Great that we now have a team in place to plan our transfers, including signing promising young players, but inconsistent with Hughton.

And the next big part of the puzzle is how we get them to play. But again, what has been suggested by Dane Murphy, and what the fans want to watch, is inconsistent with Hughton.

It seems obvious what we need to do. Must we waste time?

[Madforit]

Mighten was getting regular minutes, and had just had his first start, before Hughton arrived, and had looked decent. Better than what else we had.
Hughton relegated him to not playing in favour of more experienced players who didn't perform. Not a minute for 12 matches.

Mbe Soh started Sabri's last 2 matches then nothing for 14 matches under Hughton, while the more experienced Figuieredo gave a goal away on a regular basis. In fact Mbe Soh only got a look in because Figs served a suspension, and was quickly out again.

Garner would never have been here if it was up to Hughton. He wanted Gosling, another guy on big wages past his best to go with Knockaert & Murphy. We only got Garner 'cos Gosling turned us down.

His previous record with youth, see Brighton, was nothing short of appalling.

Great that we now have a team in place to plan our transfers, including signing promising young players, but inconsistent with Hughton.

And the next big part of the puzzle is how we get them to play. But again, what has been suggested by Dane Murphy, and what the fans want to watch, is inconsistent with Hughton.

It seems obvious what we need to do. Must we waste time?

Couldn't have said it better myself

[SSM]

Mighten was getting regular minutes, and had just had his first start, before Hughton arrived, and had looked decent. Better than what else we had.
Hughton relegated him to not playing in favour of more experienced players who didn't perform. Not a minute for 12 matches.

Mbe Soh started Sabri's last 2 matches then nothing for 14 matches under Hughton, while the more experienced Figuieredo gave a goal away on a regular basis. In fact Mbe Soh only got a look in because Figs served a suspension, and was quickly out again.

Garner would never have been here if it was up to Hughton. He wanted Gosling, another guy on big wages past his best to go with Knockaert & Murphy. We only got Garner 'cos Gosling turned us down.

His previous record with youth, see Brighton, was nothing short of appalling.

Great that we now have a team in place to plan our transfers, including signing promising young players, but inconsistent with Hughton.

And the next big part of the puzzle is how we get them to play. But again, what has been suggested by Dane Murphy, and what the fans want to watch, is inconsistent with Hughton.

It seems obvious what we need to do. Must we waste time?

Totally agree.  He just seems to not want to use younger players.

He described Joe Worrall as a 'young player' and he's 25 in Jan.

[ozzyten10]

I think you are doing Hughton a disservice there. His record is as good as anyone’s. Also trying to keep a team in the league after promotion is no mean feat. At Brighton he built a side that had a mixture and improved them year on year over the long term. In his other jobs he has done well - blues fans really like him- Newcastle fans all agree he was pissed on after doing an incredible job. It’s only Norwich fans who dislike him and he didn’t take them down!
He has always coached and developed a squad with improvements almost every season.
We are lucky in my opinion to have him and he only has a year left on his contract so if he doesn’t perform this year people will probably get their wish with a more fashionable foreign coach.