First of all, fair play to Swansea. I hope they go up.
Good effort by our boys - ifs and buts and maybe but the margin between us winning that game last night was narrower than many in the press would have you believe. Swansea might have been superior in periods but the simple fact of the matter is they took their chances and we didn't convert ours. Had McGoldrick stuck his early effort away how might have things gone? Anyway, it's in the past now. It's gone and we need to look positively to next season.
It's not being negative to take a long hard look at what the players and consider what is necessary to bridge the gap between our current standard and the standard required to get into the top 2.
Many thought after last season's play-off disappointment that we didn't kick on in the summer after an incredible 2009 summer. This summer has to be different if Forest is to continue to develop. Room in the squad needs to be freed up by the departure of some who despite giving of their best have just come to the end of the road (and their contracts) with us.
So, who goes, who comes in???
Departures:
Adebola (time to retire), Tyson (release), Garner (release), Earnshaw (release), McKenna (release), Wilson (release), McCleary (release), Bennett (release), Boyd (loan expired)
Hopefully Moussi gets a new deal.
Places to fill:
3 forwards, 2 wingers/wide midfielders, 2 central midfielders, 3 defenders (1 of which is a proper left back and 1 a proper centre-half).
That's a whole load of transfer activity and you might think it's a bit unrealistic. Maybe it is, but in 2009 we signed a shed load.
There is also the vulture factor; teams wanting to sign some players we want to keep such as Cohen, Gunter, Majewski or McGugan.
Billy said at the end of January that he feared a complete rebuild if we didn't go up. He's been right about so many things and me might be bang on the money here again.
Ins and outs
posted on 17/5/11
It is risky if we twist, but even riskier if we stick. Tyson doesn't offer enough in terms of goals or assists to warrant his retention. A new deal for Earnshaw will see him closing in on retirement and his range of abilities is too limited for big bucks. McCleary, whilst still young, is just not going to improve to the next level.
In terms of money - who knows??!??! (ND obviously).
posted on 17/5/11
In terms of money - who knows??!??! (ND obviously).
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Realistically and following the tradition of ND's reign, I would of thought your looking at 2-2.5 million.
Possibly get three players out of that at a push, plus a couple of season long loanees from the Prem.
If that were to happen then maybe yes, you could release some of the players you mention.
A summer of wheeler dealing would certainly be exciting for the fans and maybe persuade them to back the team and purchase a season ticket.
But at all costs we can't have a repeat of last pre season transfer activity or i'm afraid were toast!
posted on 18/5/11
hi all reds fans, i dont think king billy will get rid of mc kenna or earnshaw but the others can go.
posted on 18/5/11
I wasn't aware McCleary is out of contract? I personally think he's got a lot to offer as a squad player / impact sub and won't be asking the earth in terms of wages. If we release him he'll go to a smaller ambitious club like Millwall, Watford, Palace and probably do well!
I agree with most of the sentiments, as we clearly need a shake-up in the summer. But also I think our key this season has been the teams togetherness and spirit which you run the risk of completely destroying if you scythe through the nucleus of the squad. If I was in the position to negotiate contracts, I would try my hardest to keep Moussi and Earnshaw if it is financially viable. I'd be surprised if Adebola and Bennett get extensions, and I guess Tyson, Garner, Boyd are in the balance.
I'd love to see a couple of the lads from Preston come in (St. Ledger, Treacy) obviously through the Billy connection but they will also be affordable and hungry for success. I think that's essentially the problem with Kris Boyd, he is hungry in the wrong sense of the word!
Anyway, exciting times...
posted on 18/5/11
Hopefully 'useless Billy' will go, and take all your out of contract players with him to Annan Athletic or wherever he crawls back to. Useless manager, can't understand him, hasnt got a clue.
posted on 18/5/11
Don't know if McCleary is out of contract to be honest. I would have thought he would be. He might do well somewhere else (wouldn't be the first time - e.g. Grant Holt) but I just don't see him, as I said, "going to another level" and that is what is required if fringe players are going to improve the squad.
Although it does sound as though I talking wholesale changes, there are plenty that I would want to remain:
Camp, Gunter, Chambers, Morgan, Maloney, Cohen, Majewski, Anderson, Blackstock, Moussi, McGugan, Tudgay.
To improve (really improve) those coming in must be making these guys who we should keep fighting for 1st team action. There isn't much point signing bench warmers to keep these guys on the field.
posted on 18/5/11
I would keep Moussi. Would also offer Earnie and Tys deals for 1 more year.
Get rid of Bennett, McKenna, Dele, McLeary, Garner and Tudgay
posted on 18/5/11
we need to keep as many as we can as we have a really small squad Defo need another 3 defenders and a couple of midfielder. as it stands but I think mckenna dele bennett and garner will go so we will need to replace them as well.
posted on 18/5/11
we need to keep as many as we can as we have a really small squad Defo need another 3 defenders and a couple of midfielder. as it stands but I think mckenna dele bennett and garner will go so we will need to replace them as well.
posted on 23/5/11
mcleary still has a year left on his contract