Would You Trust Recruitment With Summer 2020?

[Salvatore Matrecano]

It is a necessity of where we are to sell our crown jewels to reinvest, we all get that. On top of which players are ambitious, Im certain Matty Cash will move in the summer should we fail to get promoted but lets worry about that another day. I think what irks Alf and others including me is that the money we gain is often wasted on dross that isnt fit for purpose, panic buys, ageing players on high wages after a last payday, unproven loans. We were at our worst under Karanka when the turnover of players was madness, January was far more restrained.

The fact remains for example, Appiah was sold early this season but his fee went to fund the purchase and wages of Jenkinson, Muric, Mir, Semedo and Bostock none of whom are likely to contribute much, as well as ongoing wages to mistakes of the past, Hefele, Clough, Pantillimon etc. Not forgetting we will still be paying compensation for ex managers Karanka, O’Neill /Keane and possibly Warbuton too.

What we want to see is a well thought out recruitment strategy that uses player sales to strengthen the overall squad with players that can make a positive difference. We are moving in the right direction we have had definite successes with Sow, Ribeiro, Silva and others, just still far too many mistakes are made. Are we worse than other clubs? Im not sure, plenty of them are hit and miss on recruitment, look at Huddersfields purchases when they were in the prem. But we can do better.

[Brucey]

I’m a realist and know that we’re a selling club as we’ve always been even in the glory days of European success and that’s the reality for 99% of all clubs.

Whilst reactionary after one game we’ve known that we have no backup for Sow since the first time Sabri made wholesale changes and this is where my frustration with recruitment lies. I’m not moaning because we didn’t spend £15m on a striker which was never going to happen.

For me we are ahead of schedule but having found ourselves in this position there is disappointment that midfield and backup to Sow at least wasn't addressed. Obviously our final league position will ultimately define whether the January window is a good one or not and not my ramblings just after the final whistle of a home defeat!

I think the next set of accounts will make interesting reading.

[ThePromisedLand]

I suspect the frustration is largely born out of the sudden realisation that the squad is somewhat weaker than many thought. We were all aware of the lack of support in a number of positions but the performance on Tuesday only served to force that message home.
I for one have not bought into Nixon’s continued barbs ( as I perceived them ) at our lack of depth. Reluctantly I - and many others - now accept that our position in the table is more precarious than we cared to admit.
The opportunity to move into an automatic promotion slot built false hopes (?) to a new high - only for those to be replaced ( in double quick time ) by an acceptance that we are very much a work in progress.
Most of us always knew this but many ( inc myself ) allowed ourselves to ‘dream’.

[PsychoStanleyStone]

 The 'person with significant control' for Nottingham Forest on Companies House is the holding company Nf Football Investments Ltd.

And the 'person with significant control' for Nf Football Investments Ltd on Companies House is Evangelos Marinakis.

So he is there as the owner of Forest on Companies House, if you can be bothered to look properly.

Nf Football Investments Ltd ... just had a look at companies house and in both cases, the only directors i can see are 
Vrentzos appointed 31 July 2017 and Zannis appointed 10 Feb 2017, both appointed around the start of this company.
No mention of anyone else.
Duedil company records show 'Assets' as minus - £8m though probably getting on 2 years ago.
Next accounts are due at the end of February 2020.
The link below should take you to Companies House, Filing History for Nf Football Investments Ltd, CRN 10613412
I am sure the scouting/recruiting chaps did their work, identified targets, but maybe the money just isn't available at the moment.

Companies House LINK Nf Football Investments Ltd Filing History

[wassy04]

It is a necessity of where we are to sell our crown jewels to reinvest, we all get that. On top of which players are ambitious, Im certain Matty Cash will move in the summer should we fail to get promoted but lets worry about that another day.  I think what irks Alf and others including me is that the money we gain is often wasted on dross that isnt fit for purpose, panic buys, ageing players on high wages after a last payday, unproven loans. We were at our worst under Karanka when the turnover of players was madness, January was far more restrained.

The fact remains for example, Appiah was sold early this season but his fee went to fund the purchase and wages of Jenkinson, Muric, Mir, Semedo and Bostock none of whom are likely to contribute much, as well as ongoing wages to mistakes of the past, Hefele, Clough, Pantillimon etc. Not forgetting we will still be paying compensation for ex managers Karanka, O’Neill /Keane and possibly Warbuton too.

What we want to see is a well thought out recruitment strategy that uses player sales to strengthen the overall squad with players that can make a positive difference. We are moving in the right direction we have had definite successes with Sow, Ribeiro, Silva and others, just still far too many mistakes are made. Are we worse than other clubs? Im not sure, plenty of them are hit and miss on recruitment, look at Huddersfields purchases when they were in the prem. But we can do better.

Sow, Samba, Ribeiro, Ameobi all hits, Silva probably too. 

The above you've listed as missed are all loans bar Jenkinson so likely to be not that expensive. Jenkinson signing arguably unfair to criticise as we've had a huge result with Cash. Who knows how he'd have done as first choice this season. Although Tuesday he was admittedly awful.

So a strong hit rate on permanent signings at a predominantly limited budget without having to sell Worrall for example in summer and Cash in Jan. I think the summer was strong business personally aside from criminally not signing another striker.

January, not signing another DM (although Colback signing did seem likely pre injury given he lives here) was a mistake and the rest do not look great so far but hopefully will improve.

[Alf]

I am surprised that the 3rd option hasn't been discussed a bit more.

After the 4m spent on Jenks & Nuno this past year, not to mention all the wages wasted on loan, I'd strongly consider bringing in someone who knows and has contacts in the British market like Pearce, and limiting Agnino & Modesto to a few players from their specialized markets, as approved by said overseer such as Pearce.

Modesto himself said he's had to learn to adapt to what the British game requires, and underestimated what it requires. We shouldn't be training these chaps up, we should have someone in charge who knows the British game inside & out.

[wassy04]

I am surprised that the 3rd option hasn't been discussed a bit more.

After the 4m spent on Jenks & Nuno this past year, not to mention all the wages wasted on loan, I'd strongly consider bringing in someone who knows  and has contacts in the British market like Pearce, and limiting Agnino & Modesto to a few players from their specialized markets, as approved by said overseer such as Pearce.

Modesto himself said he's had to learn to adapt to what the British game requires, and underestimated what it requires. We shouldn't be training these chaps up, we should have someone in charge who knows the British game inside & out.

By Nuno do you mean Da Costa? You cant possibly judge that signing yet.

Hard to argue with the British element though, it does feel like there were a few players out there that either moved or were on short contracts that we could've moved for. Ryan woods at stoke now Millwall and Lyle Taylor for example.

However demotionis probably the wrong word. Work alongside would be better. I maintain I think we had an excellent summer window

[Strawberry Avenger]

Yes. Sow. Samba.

Though they could do with a Stuart Pearce to identify expensive British talent BEFORE it becomes expensive. It would be an additional revenue stream.

Our cosmopolitan approach makes sense. Up to a point.

But I still think we're still 'a bit behind' on recruitment. You know? Like the dawning light going on in recruitment's head. (ie. This is the type of player, Tough but can play a bit... To get you out of the Championship.) On the field results suggest we're catching up.

January may not have set the world alight. But given the recent 'not fit for purpose' state of the union address from the chairman...maybe a prudently necessary one. In concrete terms? We got £2.5 million for two 'LBs' (one of which was a CH and unhappy and the other was out of contract and underperforming) LBs and replaced with a Championship promotion winning LB of some experience. That's just good business. It goes along ways to balance the books for FFP.

ie. We're shipping out the over paid under performing squad and replacing with ones who are more technical and offer more bang for the buck. And rather than lashing out fees for lower league players? Simple. We use our Academy players. And if we have to sell one to balance the books whilst we're in commercial transition from shockingly badly run to 'well run'...

'So be it.'

SA.

[Alf]

I am surprised that the 3rd option hasn't been discussed a bit more.

After the 4m spent on Jenks & Nuno this past year, not to mention all the wages wasted on loan, I'd strongly consider bringing in someone who knows  and has contacts in the British market like Pearce, and limiting Agnino & Modesto to a few players from their specialized markets, as approved by said overseer such as Pearce.

Modesto himself said he's had to learn to adapt to what the British game requires, and underestimated what it requires. We shouldn't be training these chaps up, we should have someone in charge who knows the British game inside & out.

By Nuno do you mean Da Costa? You cant possibly judge that signing yet.

Hard to argue with the British element though, it does feel like there were a few players out there that either moved or were on short contracts that we could've moved for. Ryan woods at stoke now Millwall and Lyle Taylor for example.

However demotionis probably the wrong word. Work alongside would be better. I maintain I think we had an excellent summer window

See Scott Hogan has arrived at Birmingham and scored 3 goals in 3 games. IMO that's what we need to be signing in Jan, not someone who needs time or training up to be effective. Callum Robinsons another, hit the ground running at WBA. Whereas so far Da Costa has contributed sweet FA in 3 games, and there's only 14 games left for the season. 

Is he a bad player? Like you say you can't judge that yet. Is he a bad signing for a team going for promotion? If he doesn't start contributing significantly soon, yes, IMO he is. Esp at 2m. We shouldn't be signing future players when the opportunity to go up is here & now. We can do that in the Summer. 

Two great examples regards he British element. Good shouts.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

I am surprised that the 3rd option hasn't been discussed a bit more.

After the 4m spent on Jenks & Nuno this past year, not to mention all the wages wasted on loan, I'd strongly consider bringing in someone who knows  and has contacts in the British market like Pearce, and limiting Agnino & Modesto to a few players from their specialized markets, as approved by said overseer such as Pearce.

Modesto himself said he's had to learn to adapt to what the British game requires, and underestimated what it requires. We shouldn't be training these chaps up, we should have someone in charge who knows the British game inside & out.

So you have written off Nuno Da Costa after 20 minutes in a Forest shirt?

Then some people wonder why I am pulling my hair out.

[ThePromisedLand]

I am surprised that the 3rd option hasn't been discussed a bit more.

After the 4m spent on Jenks & Nuno this past year, not to mention all the wages wasted on loan, I'd strongly consider bringing in someone who knows  and has contacts in the British market like Pearce, and limiting Agnino & Modesto to a few players from their specialized markets, as approved by said overseer such as Pearce.

Modesto himself said he's had to learn to adapt to what the British game requires, and underestimated what it requires. We shouldn't be training these chaps up, we should have someone in charge who knows the British game inside & out.

I might have gone for the 3rd option.
The inclusion of ‘Pearce’ was the hurdle I’m not prepared to tackle. If he weren’t an ex player ( albeit legend ) fans wouldn’t think twice. His post playing record is abysmal - he’s most certainly not the answer. Interestingly if you were to substitute Dougie for Pearce my answer would change in an instant - he would be perfect as a DOF.

[Jean_claude_killy]

I am surprised that the 3rd option hasn't been discussed a bit more.

After the 4m spent on Jenks & Nuno this past year, not to mention all the wages wasted on loan, I'd strongly consider bringing in someone who knows  and has contacts in the British market like Pearce, and limiting Agnino & Modesto to a few players from their specialized markets, as approved by said overseer such as Pearce.

Modesto himself said he's had to learn to adapt to what the British game requires, and underestimated what it requires. We shouldn't be training these chaps up, we should have someone in charge who knows the British game inside & out.

Third option has not been discussed because it is total fantasy bordering on the delusional.

Pearce is not coming back and you will just have to deal with it; he does not deserve to come back in any capacity.

He was a massive failure as a manager - losing 9 of his last 17 games - in fact he should have been fired before his last game, the very minute he picked McLoughlin at full back.

And his record at signing players was not as great as you are making out; aside from the two obvious ones who we managed to get some money for, what about Laing, Tesche, Burke, Mancienne and Fryatt?

The last four were given very good contracts with Fryatt working out at 200k per appearance and just under 1m per goal - cheap at half the price