I just feel it's about time to review our recruitment & scouting models. We cannot blame Edu this season.
Reviewing the window, and the start, where are the bargains, the goals, the creativity, better set pieces, or what we have needed more of for seasons, we also need proper succession planning?
Looking ahead to January and next summer, we seriously need to overhaul how we approach recruitment and scouting. The recruitment team needs to take a long, hard look at the data, scouting networks, and strategy we are currently using, because right now we are miles behind clubs like Brighton, Brentford, and Bournemouth when it comes to identifying rough gems, developing them, and running a sustainable football structure. Even Sunderland over the last couple of seasons have shown how clever and agile you can be in the market without needing to spend eye-watering figures every window.
We continually gravitate towards "names" or convenient opportunities rather than genuine, data-driven talent identification. Yes, we had the Brazilian contingent—Murillo has been outstanding (brought in via a scout who moved on to Newcastle), while the Botafogo deals were largely down to Textor’s relationship with Marinakis rather than organic scouting. But outside of those isolated successes, we’ve wasted huge amounts of money on squad players over recent windows whom, since Premier league, we have sold, sent out on loan or desperately trying to shift.
It’s not about refusing to spend; it’s about smart succession planning. Take Luca Netz as an example. He came in last January and looks a decent prospect. But a properly run recruitment department would have brought in another quality left wing-back this summer (as Williams looks a shadow of himself in that position), sent Netz out on loan to get 30+ starts under his belt, and then transitioned him into the starting XI next summer while monetising Neco Williams (i would have sold him in this summer whilst good value, maybe he goes next summer).
That is how the modern, elite-run mid-table clubs operate—they buy the replacement a year before they actually sell the starter.
For example, Brighton (who we know have loads of examples) go out and snag Charalampos Kostoulas from Olympiacos—a player sitting right under our noses in the Marinakis ecosystem—while our multi-club setup feels completely underutilised for Forest. He is doing well this season replacing Welbeck)
Our connection with Rio Ave should be a golden pathway. Why aren't we signing top South American or European prospects, placing them at Rio Ave to adapt to European football in a competitive, low-pressure environment, and then bringing them into the squad when ready? It feels like an open goal that we've completely ignored
Reflecting on Nottingham Forest start to season, we clearly lack quality depth in midfield and profile-fits for Oliver Glasner’s system. The club spent serious money to bring Glasner in and back him, but nobody can honestly say that ambition is being translated onto the pitch right now. We’re out of the cup, struggling for rhythm in the league, and can’t seem to win or even score at home.
It’s still early in the season, and Glasner’s teams have historically taken a bit of time to click. The next three weeks are crucial for the players to step up and turn this around.
But long-term, the recruitment side of this football club must be thoroughly reviewed and upgraded if we want to stop repeating the same expensive cycles.
How does everyone else feel? Edu got blame for last season, will they be a scapegoat for this summer, if we dont turn things round?
Reviewing the window, and the start, where are the bargains, the goals, the creativity, better set pieces, or what we have needed more of for seasons, we also need proper succession planning?
Looking ahead to January and next summer, we seriously need to overhaul how we approach recruitment and scouting. The recruitment team needs to take a long, hard look at the data, scouting networks, and strategy we are currently using, because right now we are miles behind clubs like Brighton, Brentford, and Bournemouth when it comes to identifying rough gems, developing them, and running a sustainable football structure. Even Sunderland over the last couple of seasons have shown how clever and agile you can be in the market without needing to spend eye-watering figures every window.
We continually gravitate towards "names" or convenient opportunities rather than genuine, data-driven talent identification. Yes, we had the Brazilian contingent—Murillo has been outstanding (brought in via a scout who moved on to Newcastle), while the Botafogo deals were largely down to Textor’s relationship with Marinakis rather than organic scouting. But outside of those isolated successes, we’ve wasted huge amounts of money on squad players over recent windows whom, since Premier league, we have sold, sent out on loan or desperately trying to shift.
It’s not about refusing to spend; it’s about smart succession planning. Take Luca Netz as an example. He came in last January and looks a decent prospect. But a properly run recruitment department would have brought in another quality left wing-back this summer (as Williams looks a shadow of himself in that position), sent Netz out on loan to get 30+ starts under his belt, and then transitioned him into the starting XI next summer while monetising Neco Williams (i would have sold him in this summer whilst good value, maybe he goes next summer).
That is how the modern, elite-run mid-table clubs operate—they buy the replacement a year before they actually sell the starter.
For example, Brighton (who we know have loads of examples) go out and snag Charalampos Kostoulas from Olympiacos—a player sitting right under our noses in the Marinakis ecosystem—while our multi-club setup feels completely underutilised for Forest. He is doing well this season replacing Welbeck)
Our connection with Rio Ave should be a golden pathway. Why aren't we signing top South American or European prospects, placing them at Rio Ave to adapt to European football in a competitive, low-pressure environment, and then bringing them into the squad when ready? It feels like an open goal that we've completely ignored
Reflecting on Nottingham Forest start to season, we clearly lack quality depth in midfield and profile-fits for Oliver Glasner’s system. The club spent serious money to bring Glasner in and back him, but nobody can honestly say that ambition is being translated onto the pitch right now. We’re out of the cup, struggling for rhythm in the league, and can’t seem to win or even score at home.
It’s still early in the season, and Glasner’s teams have historically taken a bit of time to click. The next three weeks are crucial for the players to step up and turn this around.
But long-term, the recruitment side of this football club must be thoroughly reviewed and upgraded if we want to stop repeating the same expensive cycles.
How does everyone else feel? Edu got blame for last season, will they be a scapegoat for this summer, if we dont turn things round?
Everyone is entitled to my opinion - COYR :)
