Posted June 26th, 2008
by Rahoul Baruah
Forest have made their second signing of the summer, with the season-long capture of Paul Anderson from Liverpool. The young winger spent last season at Swansea, who were apparently very keen to keep him for another year. The fact that Anderson is from Melton Mowbray cannot have hurt, although he had reportedly expressed an interest at staying at Swansea for another year – can it be that Nigel Doughty’s chequebook forced Anderson and Liverpool’s hands? As long as the lad makes a decent effort next season, I am sure most supporters won’t care – his record of 8 goals in 27 starts last season suggests that he has some ability.
Characteristically, there was not a word from the City Ground prior to the signing, nor has there been any official news on various other rumours about possible transfer targets:
A further rumour is that Nathan Tyson may turn down the chance to stay at Forest in favour of Bristol City or Norwich.
Me, I don’t believe a word of it…
Posted in General
Posted June 24th, 2008
by Rahoul Baruah
Grant Holt has moved to Shrewsbury; according to the Official Site the fee was “undisclosed”, but according to the BBC it was £170k – seems like a fair fee. The main surprise is that he has moved down to League Two – maybe he feels he can be the main striker for the Shrews, score plenty of goals and feel wanted again. Like many fans, I had mixed feelings about Grant, he was pretty good in the play-off season but fairly nondescript last year. Good luck to you though.
In other news, the reported pursuit of Peter Whittingham is reportedly over, as he has agreed a
new deal at Cardiff. I can’t say that I am too bothered about this, as it was never confirmed that Forest were definitely interested – the only definite suggestion to that effect came from Peter Ridsdale. I try and take newspaper talk with a pinch of salt, these days the powers-that-be at the City Ground know better than to shout about potential signings…
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Posted June 22nd, 2008
by Rahoul Baruah
I may very well be breaking copyright, but a sneak preview of the new home kit has emerged, with sleeves not quite long enough to cover Kelvin’s left arm tattoo!
So not radically different to the last few years; since the outcry over the introduction of black bits in the mid-to-late 1990s, and the pronouncement of “putting the Nottingham back on Nottingham Forest”, I wouldn’t expect any different. The best kits are simple and traditional, and this one scores highly on that front.
Given the talk of commemorating the European Cup triumphs, I was half expecting an embroidered message to the effect of “European Champions 1979-80″. Obviously there isn’t one, but I do like the new badge with the two stars.
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Posted June 20th, 2008
by Rahoul Baruah
News from Lancashire that Brett Dynorod may still make appearances in a Red shirt next season…
Grant Holt may be moving to Shrewsbury – aside from the
NEP, it has apparently also been reported on
BBC local radio that a bid has been accepted.
Rumours abound of moves for
Leon Best and Paul Anderson – it is always difficult to assess the truthfulness of such tales (”my best mate’s missus works with a guy who is mates with…”).
Finally a rumour that Manuel’s move to the land of the pyramids
has fallen through. I would add here that the the news comes from a “source close to the board”, rather than from Zamalek themselves. I still don’t expect to see Junior playing for Forest next season.
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Posted June 18th, 2008
by Rahoul Baruah
So, Junior has Agonegone (sorry about the awful pun) to Egypt to – ahem – challenge himself at a higher level. The initial press photo did look rather as though he had just walked out of the airport and had the shirt unexpectedly thrust into his hands. The fee is reported to be close to £1m, which isn’t bad business for a player who cost £250k two years ago and has only shown sporadic form. However, I kind of liked him (when he could be bothered), and his goal at Yeovil last year shows that he does have some quality that would have been useful in the CCC.
A source of rather more concern to me is the departure of Sammy Clingan to Norwich. Although a vocal section of the Reds’ crowd do not seem to understand his qualities, I think that he has been an integral part of the Reds’ team, and I think we missed him a lot when he broke his ankle the previous season. Naturally, Sammy has made the usual noises about moving to Norwich (impressed by the facilities, only had to speak to the manager to be convinced etc), although the NEP have reported that a large amount of cash may have had something to do with it.
Of course, the departures of these two, plus the tubby one and a few of the kids, has reminded people of the bad old days ten years ago, when Campbell and Cooper were allowed to leave, prompting our mardy dutch friend to go on strike. While I am not happy about the departure of three senior players, this is hardly a case of asset-stripping (as it clearly was when Campbell was sold under the stewardship of Wray and Scholar). I also remain confident that the management team will be looking for the right players to come in and fill the gap, and that the chairman will be willing to bankroll such moves.
At least I hope so…
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Posted June 12th, 2008
by Rahoul Baruah
An old story, but one worth repeating – Luis Felipe Scolari, current coach of Portugal, former coach of Brazil, and sonn-to-be manager of Chelsea, is a
Forest supporter.
Posted in General
Posted June 9th, 2008
by Rahoul Baruah
Apparently the Reds were interested in signing Lee Holmes from the Sheep, who spent much of last season on loan to Walsall, but has now gone to Southampton…
I have no idea whether Brett Ormerod was going to sign permanently (I guess probably not), but it doesn’t look like PNE want to let him go…
What is definite is that Alan Power (pictured) has signed for Hartlepool. The news of Power’s release by the Reds slipped under the radar somewhat, as it coincided with the release of his tubbier, sheep-fancying colleague. He captained the reserve team for two years, including through their imperious, almost-unbeaten, championship-winning run. With promotion to the CCC, I suppose Alan’s chances of getting in the first team may be further reduced, but hopefully he can make the step-up in League One next year.
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Posted June 3rd, 2008
by Rahoul Baruah
I don’t want to dwell too much on the transfer of self-proclaimed “Forest supporter” Kris Commons, but it was highly amusing to read Paul Jewell’s thoughts:
“When I met him I was also impressed with his hunger…”
Fat lads think alike, I suppose… Interestingly, the picture on the Derby website shows Kris in a Forest shirt, so the Derby web team have made a rather cack-handed attempt to conceal this by writing “We are Derby” in big letters across his chest. My, that looks professional…
Another amusing picture was of 6 foot-something Nigel Doughty shaking hands with new Red Robert Earnshaw on the Forest Official Site:
Earnshaw is 5′7″, and apparently drives a Hummer. Small man syndrome, anyone?
Finally for today, Matt Lockwood has finally
moved to Colchester. Locky was inadvertently one of the best signings of the summer, by getting injured in his first match and allowing a much improved Jules to take his place in the Forest team and the PFA League One Team of the Year. Good luck for the future Matt.
Posted in General
Posted June 2nd, 2008
by Rahoul Baruah
Or
stinking Judas waddles to the sheep
as I prefer to call it.
Posted in General
