Player Ratings After 12 Games

[Frochy1977]

We have to remember that when the window closed we didn't have Yacob or Tachstidis at that point.

An injury or two would have left us a bit light if Yates would have gone out on loan. (Not knowing Yacob and Tachstidis would sign outside of the window).

[the jock]

We have to remember that when the window closed we didn't have Yacob or Tachstidis at that point.

An injury or two would have left us a bit light if Yates would have gone out on loan. (Not knowing Yacob and Tachstidis would sign outside of the window).

well said Lee

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

We have to remember that when the window closed we didn't have Yacob or Tachstidis at that point.

An injury or two would have left us a bit light if Yates would have gone out on loan. (Not knowing Yacob and Tachstidis would sign outside of the window).

well said Lee

:D :D

[the jock]

for too long our midfield was very poor. now we have an abundance of options. why did it take this long for a manager to address that?

[Strawberry Avenger]

We have to remember that when the window closed we didn't have Yacob or Tachstidis at that point.

An injury or two would have left us a bit light if Yates would have gone out on loan. (Not knowing Yacob and Tachstidis would sign outside of the window).

well said Lee

:cool:

SA.

---

for too long our midfield was very poor. now we have an abundance of options. why did it take this long for a manager to address that?

Good question.

SA.

[GaribaldiRED]

So guys, I’m nearly finished with my assessment of the team after the first 15 games of the season. We are well stocked in the DMC area and we are pretty well stocked in the rest of the midfield as well. But how have they performed?

Lolley: 8
Wow, how did we get this guy on the cheap? On current form he's just unstoppable. Always running at the defense and almost dancing between and around the opposition players. And he's got a fierce shot in him as well. And if that wasn't enough he also tracks back tirelessly. This guy is all action and could prove to be the bargain of the century. Only one worrisome, we did say the same thing about Brian McKay last season.

Dias: 7
All the three amigos has to some extent disappointed me but Dias the least. I expected us to see a winger that loves going at the defenders using his pace and trickery. That has unfortunately not happened and I'm starting to wonder if it will happen. Don't get me wrong I believe that Dias is a useful but I would never in a million years pay 15-20m GBP for him. On current showing he is probably worth 3-4m GBP not more but if he suddenly starts attacking defenders and actually start scoring and creating goals in a Lolley kind of way then maybe he could warrant a price tag up or around what has been agreed in his loan contract. Because he could definitely be a great player because he works so very hard for the team (and that was something I didn't expect to be honest).

Carvalho: 6,5
The boy has obvious talent, but will he be able to dictate a game? On current showing I believe he's far from doing that. We have seen glimpses of what he capable of but I believe he needs to up his game and be more consistent. Costing that much money does result in increased expectations. It is good to see that he's fully prepared to work hard for the team and that great and also a must for him to be a success. We should of course give him more time, but I would have liked to see him dictate at least one game at Championship level so that we know that he has that in him. Hopefully that will come soon.

Cash: 7
I have to admit that I really like this kid and I believe he will be a very important player for Forest for years to come. He has fantastic energy, good technique, courage to run at people, good pace, good at defending. What's not to like?

Goncalves: 6
Of the three Portuguese players Goncalves is the one who has struggled the most at getting to grip with English football. You can see that the kid has bags of potential but he seems to need time to adapt to the pace of the game and also fully learn how Karanka wants the team to play. He doesn't defend as well as Dias and Carvalho but hopefully that will come with time. I would have liked to see Goncalves a bit more direct. Just run at people like he did in the latest U21 game. Hope that he figures out the Championship soon or else he could be one of the casualties in January. He has a lot to do if he is to defend a potential price tag of 13-15m GBP.

Soudani: 6
Soudani is a bit of a character and it seems that he has settled in very well at Forest. He started to show signs of being a good addition to the team before he got injured. He definitely knows how to score goals. The one area he really has to work on is his defending. If our formation and style of play are going to work every player must be 100% committed to pressing and defending while not having the ball. 80-90% just isn't enough. Soudani seems to be back in training now and hopefully it will not be long before he's back on the pitch with 100% commitment both in attack and in defense.

Osborn: 7
100% commitment is definitely something you get from this guy. We all know Osborn and what you get from him. He started the season as left back but has lately been moved into left midfield which is his more natural position. He seems to enjoy the short pass play with his new team mates and in my opinion, Osborn has improved his overall game this season. Maybe it is the added competition or just the fact that he's now playing with better players.

[Strawberry Avenger]

Garibaldi Red.

Your assessment of our DCM duo has been spot on.

Colback has been class and the pick of the bunch. Geddy started imperiously and plays with a smile on his face. He likes being here at Forest...and plays his best football here. That's good enough for me. Watson started poorly (which surprised me as he and Colback struck up a good partnership since January, with Forest looking far more robust in DCM than they have for years and years.

Pre-season, I thought it was going to be Geddy and young Ryan Yates that were going to steal the show with them both playing very well in pre-season and with Colback's incoming hanging in the balance. Watson and Bricutt seemed so-so and Forest seemed to have a different dynamic pre-season with Geddy and Yates.

But it didn't turn out that way. Aitor went with Watson and Colback in the early start to the season.

Bridcutt must count as unfortunate. Because when called upon he's played well. I don't want him to leave in January. Because any injury to Colback and we'll need him.

As for the incomings. One is progressive. One is robust. That's a dynamic right there. But unless something happens to Colback or Geddy or Watson, I don't see them emerging just yet.

A sudden influx of injuries and that could change very quickly.

It may SEEM that Forest are well stocked in DCM...but a couple of injuries will prove that isn't necessarily so. Not with Yates to go out on loan in Jan' probably. That, a drop in form or another player and an injury to another and the DCM coherence we've just discovered could be upset real quickly. Any Forest fan with long memories of McKenna's or Moussi's injuries during our play off pushes will feel the bruising sting of memories that hampered our promotion push. One injury left McKenna as a snow cone and Moussi barely 'match fit' to replace him.

I'd agree with your general assessment of DCM. Long an Achilles heel...it's now a strength...in DEPTH.

And long may it continue for our promotion push this year.

Ironic or not. I smiled when Pullis brought on Clayton...and Forest had their own embarrassment of riches assembled far cheaper than the price Boro' wanted for a 2nd string team performer.

Forest did their job excellent in Jan' and Summer recruitment wise for the DCM.

SA.

---

So, yes. When Geddy and Colback play?

Forest play.

It's nice to have players that make you tick.

Os' being another chief component of that...further up the pitch.

SA.

---

So guys, I’m nearly finished with my assessment of the team after the first 15 games of the season. We are well stocked in the DMC area and we are pretty well stocked in the rest of the midfield as well. But how have they performed?

Lolley: 8
Wow, how did we get this guy on the cheap? On current form he's just unstoppable. Always running at the defense and almost dancing between and around the opposition players. And he's got a fierce shot in him as well. And if that wasn't enough he also tracks back tirelessly. This guy is all action and could prove to be the bargain of the century. Only one worrisome, we did say the same thing about Brian McKay last season.

Dias: 7
All the three amigos has to some extent disappointed me but Dias the least. I expected us to see a winger that loves going at the defenders using his pace and trickery. That has unfortunately not happened and I'm starting to wonder if it will happen. Don't get me wrong I believe that Dias is a useful but I would never in a million years pay 15-20m GBP for him. On current showing he is probably worth 3-4m GBP not more but if he suddenly starts attacking defenders and actually start scoring and creating goals in a Lolley kind of way then maybe he could warrant a price tag up or around what has been agreed in his loan contract. Because he could definitely be a great player because he works so very hard for the team (and that was something I didn't expect to be honest).

Carvalho: 6,5
The boy has obvious talent, but will he be able to dictate a game? On current showing I believe he's far from doing that. We have seen glimpses of what he capable of but I believe he needs to up his game and be more consistent. Costing that much money does result in increased expectations. It is good to see that he's fully prepared to work hard for the team and that great and also a must for him to be a success. We should of course give him more time, but I would have liked to see him dictate at least one game at Championship level so that we know that he has that in him. Hopefully that will come soon.

Cash: 7
I have to admit that I really like this kid and I believe he will be a very important player for Forest for years to come. He has fantastic energy, good technique, courage to run at people, good pace, good at defending. What's not to like?

Goncalves: 6
Of the three Portuguese players Goncalves is the one who has struggled the most at getting to grip with English football. You can see that the kid has bags of potential but he seems to need time to adapt to the pace of the game and also fully learn how Karanka wants the team to play. He doesn't defend as well as Dias and Carvalho but hopefully that will come with time. I would have liked to see Goncalves a bit more direct. Just run at people like he did in the latest U21 game. Hope that he figures out the Championship soon or else he could be one of the casualties in January. He has a lot to do if he is to defend a potential price tag of 13-15m GBP.

Soudani: 6
Soudani is a bit of a character and it seems that he has settled in very well at Forest. He started to show signs of being a good addition to the team before he got injured. He definitely knows how to score goals. The one area he really has to work on is his defending. If our formation and style of play are going to work every player must be 100% committed to pressing and defending while not having the ball. 80-90% just isn't enough. Soudani seems to be back in training now and hopefully it will not be long before he's back on the pitch with 100% commitment both in attack and in defense.

Osborn: 7
100% commitment is definitely something you get from this guy. We all know Osborn and what you get from him. He started the season as left back but has lately been moved into left midfield which is his more natural position. He seems to enjoy the short pass play with his new team mates and in my opinion, Osborn has improved his overall game this season. Maybe it is the added competition or just the fact that he's now playing with better players.

Very good assessment.  A fitting summary.

Yes, the 3 Amigos have disappointed.  But so did the whole team before the International break....when all had looked so promising pre-season.

But pre-season isn't the Championship.  And only the Oldham game showed what Forest could be in for.

Following clear the air talks, Forest are working now as a team rather than a sputtering engine.  Front to back.  Front foot.  Running.  Pressing.  Defending and attacking as a team. And the improved displays from the 'three' have been part of that increased cohesiveness. If only, intermittently from Car'. But I think it's coming. That's the thing with competition. If you're not doing it. Aitor will sub you and put someone on that will. Forest now have that depth in DCM and Attacking CM.

Lolley.  Player of the season for me.  Fox and Os' may run him close.  That 'Cohen' x-factor that just gives Forest another level of dynamism to hurt teams.  He explodes at the opposition.  Dances around them.  Let's fly a bullet from his 'pick that out' shot on him.  The player Forest often envied in teams we've seen over the years.  Now we have one.  At a bargain price.  What a find.  What a pick.  And yes, what a player.  Impact player that can blow the ****** doors off.  He leaves it all out there...on the pitch.  8/8.5

(Fox, transformed at the back.  Passion.  Reforged as a genuine CH.  He hates losing.  He can 'mix it' with the opposition.  Is another candidate for player of the season.  Colback maybe.  Or OS'...but Lolley, if he keeps it up will walk it for his 'rocket' displays.)

Os'.  When he plays?  Forest play.  Integrity on the pitch.  A genuine Forest player and an academy star.  No sulking.  Does what it says on the tin.  Can pass.  Interplay.  Run all day.  Duracell player.  Can tackle, hassle and press the opposition.  Busy.  A good goal in his locker and he can assist!!  Versatile.  Can play in most any position...or give it a good go.  I'd give him at least a 7.5 and wonder if he aint an '8' given his level has raised with the incomings. 

Cash.  Emerging talent who will find his consistency and his enthusiasm and willingness to learn will press him for a 1st team place.  Direct.  Gives all for the cause.  A dynamic player whose finishing is coming along.  Another genuine academy product.

The 3 Amigos are beginning to show signs of getting to grips with the Championship.  Culture shock and all that.

Dias.  He's getting there.  Effort and tries to defend and attack.  Good attitude.
Car'.  That free kick.  More to come from him.  Interplay with OS' and he...a juicy preview of what's to come.
Diogo.  What he did for Portugal with direct running?  He can do for Forest.  And before his sending off.  Signs he was flickering to life.

It will take time for them.  They're young, talented and have the right attitude.  2 and a half months of competitive football is nothing.  They're ripe for the 'more to come.'

Good thread, Garibaldi Red.  A please to read.  :angel:

SA.  :cool:

[Username]

We have to remember that when the window closed we didn't have Yacob or Tachstidis at that point.

An injury or two would have left us a bit light if Yates would have gone out on loan. (Not knowing Yacob and Tachstidis would sign outside of the window).

We loaned Brereton knowing that it would leave us light without any regard to the impact. 

Had there been an injury Bridcutt has been available to step in, as has Osborn, and ultimately there hasn’t been anywhere near that kind of concern.

[GaribaldiRED]

Thanks SA, the thread gets to be good with contributions like the one you just shared with us.

Forest has certainly recruited well in the summer but having 7-8 quality players for 2 available slots can be too much. Remember that Karanka needs to keep them all happy. 5-6 should be enough catering for up to 4 injured players at a time. This should pave the way for 2 outgoings and thus make room for some incomings. I would gladly swap one of the DMCs with an additional left back for example.

I agree, that on current form Lolley is at the peak of the bunch but if you look at all the games played until now I believe that Foxy has been the stand out player. I believe we to some extent, are underestimating his importance to the team. He has played in all games except for the Bury game (and only 6 minutes in the Stoke game) and been arguably the best defender in all of those games.

And the cool thing is that all the three Portuguese has the potential to play as Lolley is doing now. Even Cash can has that potential. And then we have Appiah coming through. Just think of the prospect of having three Lolleys running at you from midfield (and 2 more on the bench). Now that must be a nightmare for any opposition team.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

It's another department where we are well stocked with an abundance of talent and where any combination of players doesn't really weaken the team.

Both Lolley and Osborn are very consistent.

However what excites me most is that I believe that there is a lot more to come yet from Dias, Carvalho, Goncalves, Soudani and Cash.

Hopefully as the season progresses and these guys really find their feet then we are going to take some stopping.

[Mcforest]

I know Lolley has been outstanding so far but for me the player i can not get enough of watching so far is Carvalho. The boy has incredible vision and passing skills but because no-one else is up in his level the passes look bad, Saying that looks like Ozzy is stepping up the last few games. Others will follow i hope as he will create so much and control games if the players ahead think quickier.

I know this is going to sound like i'm over excited about him and maybe i am but in few years time i can really see him being compared to iniesta.

[Username]

How many points has Cash single handedly earned us this year from goals and assists, he deserves a great deal of credit in my opinion, reminds me a lot of Steve Stone.