Still need a CM imo. Very light and lightweight in that area.

Doodoo went to Charlton. Guess he wanted guaranteed games which he couldn't be guaranteed at the CG. His loss.

comment by Forest_monkey - In Warburton we crust (U6630)
posted 10 hours, 20 minutes ago
I think the intent is for us to buy if he doesn't get injured Will.

All parties agreed and he failed the medical due to his knee. This way if he does get injured, we can get the receipt out and return him.

God knows what's happening with McGinn and Dodoo. Atleast this final pages makes for good reading.
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Sure there'll be an option to buy. Was it clever manoeuvring by the club? As you say, they can get the receipt out if his knee isn't up to it but could sign him if he is ok?

Do we need to sign him? he is 32 and will be one of the highest earners at the club. I hope Warb's doesn't just drop Smith, the way he's dropped Lichaj. For me Lichaj is a better player, certainly a better defender than Darikwa.

Smith is what, 22? He's a decent keeper but was chucked in at the deep end last season and still has areas of his game to work on. He'll only be able to do that with guidance and time.

So signing a 33 year old keeper on loan until January is not necessarily the worst thing in the world. If you recall we did similar with Darlow when he came through, we brought DDV into the club and that didn't do him any harm. KD now seems to be Newcastle's first choice with us even having a stab at getting Krul on deadline day

Darlow isn't first choice keeper for Newcastle, he got his first game of the season against us in the Cup. It's Rumoured that Benitez want's to move him on Ray.

Can't recall where I read that
Somewhere unreliable clearly

I really rate Smith but I see this as a clever move. Forest have conceded a lot of goals again so far this season. He isn't to blame particularly but I feel a more experienced head may be able to focus minds a little better in that defence. Smith will benefit from a little time out of the firing line and training with Federici. Similar to Darlow and DDV the other year as already stated.

comment by Red Forest Bear ( Bear Knows) (U6288)
posted 20 hours, 25 minutes ago
Do we need to sign him? he is 32 and will be one of the highest earners at the club. I hope Warb's doesn't just drop Smith, the way he's dropped Lichaj. For me Lichaj is a better player, certainly a better defender than Darikwa.
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32 is probably the optimal age for a goalie, I'd say? If he can prove his fitness he would be a great signing. I hope a deal is already in place should the loan be successful.

Lichaj faced a similar situation last season when Perreira was brought in by Montanier. He will already know what he needs to do. He is no shirker and will be up for the challenge. Darikwa has looked ok but blotted his copybook when losing possession so easily leading to the second Leeds goal last week. That'll have given Warburton food for thought.

Unfortunately for Lichaj, Warburton favours wing backs at the moment and that doesn't suit him. He is much better at picking the ball up deeper in Forest's half and moving up the pitch as opposed to picking it up around halfway and having players straight on him. May be something he'll have to adapt his game to, though.

Gardner ended up at Barnsley in the end. It will be interesting to see how he and Bridcutt fair this season. I'm 50/50 over which one Forest should have gone for. I guess Bridcutt was more affordable as Gardner only just signed a new deal the other year at Villa. Bridcutt has Prem experience but has been through a couple of clubs quickly in Sunderland and Leeds. We shall see if Warburton has put his faith in the right player.

I think Bridcutt is more of what we need right now. Which is someone sitting in front of back 4 and breaking up play with the ability to keep hold of ball in tight spaces. Gardner maybe more of a play maker and we have Vaughan and Bouch for that.

I guess so. Bouch looks ok but I hope he doesn't run out of steam.