I think it might be Heckingbottom [anybody remember Mr Higgingbottom from the light programme 'Jimmy Clitheroe' or am I the only old git on here?] and the club are discussing compo and transfer targets?

I read Barnsley are closing in on Keifer Moore for £750k might this suggest that Heckingbottom is working away at his day job plotting for a Barnsley future and that we're nowhere near acquiring him?

Nothing again Heckingbottom but I think he lacks the requisite experience, doubt he would last any longer than the recent incumbents. We need someone with a decent track record and relevant experience, not quite sure who fits the bil most. This may prove to be a question of who we don’t rather than who we do. Karanka would be big gamble, as would most, but at least he has championship experiene. Not sure about a long appointment, but better than most.

If they get turned down by the likes of Karanka and Garcia as some reports have suggested how soon will desperation kick in and will Nigel Clough then start to look to the owners like the most realistic quick fix face saving solution?

Clough would motivate the players, something that Gary Monk didn't do with Brough and so I would rule him out as too similar the Breadman.

If we are to employ a coach as opposed to a manager then player recruitment could begin without the coach surely?

If they take weeks to make an appointment they will miss the boat in the January transfer window.

Heckingbottom is the one, I think. Experience is always a word bandied about but what does that actually entail? He has recent experience with success at Barnsley where he lead them to promotion. They had a decent season last year until the board pulled the plug and sold the best players.

Karanka’s odds have drifted. I think he is watching the Stoke situation. Cut him loose, only want a manager who is motivated to improve himself and the club.

Cook would be my second choice. Another with recent experience of success in the Football League. Would look on the job as a big opportunity and that would be big motivation.

Can someone tell me why anyone would think that Paul Cook or Paul Heckingbottom is a better manager than Mark Warburton.

Don't give me opinions either; just give me facts.

I've nothing against either of them, it's just that their records are no better than MW's as far as I can see. If either of them are appointed that is fine by me; I'll continue to give the team my unconditional support as I have always tried to do.

I would argue non of the 5 listed are significantly better than Warburton.

AK has a promotion on his CV but the way they went about it makes him less appealing in my opinion

Garcia just been appointed as Olympiakos boss, the trail went quiet this week on him as it looks like with Karanka so leaves me thinking Heckingbottom is their next choice and failing that I suspect they’ll go for Clough. Cook’s name has been floated by the Post so hopefully there’s something in it as I’d prefer him to Clough 👍🏼

comment by reddave (U8660)
posted 3 hours, 44 minutes ago
Nothing again Heckingbottom but I think he lacks the requisite experience, doubt he would last any longer than the recent incumbents. We need someone with a decent track record and relevant experience, not quite sure who fits the bil most. This may prove to be a question of who we don’t rather than who we do. Karanka would be big gamble, as would most, but at least he has championship experiene. Not sure about a long appointment, but better than most.
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Awful track record. I hated being at Wembley twice to see us lift trophies under his management. And then having one of the most exciting teams in the league, until it was ripped from under him. Yet still re built again.
Wouldn’t worry anyway, he’s currently plotting championship domination while being backed by numerous billionaires.
He’s not going to florest

Snapski, apologies I don’t mean to de-cry his achievements, winning twice at Wembley is not to be sniffed at, and agree Barnsley started the season well, I was at Oakwekk when you beat us 2-1 earlier this season, I should have clarified what I meant, Championship experience and a bit more longevity. I also think with your recent take over he is better staying where he is, and as you say plotting his next domination of the Championship, good luck. It’s doubtful he will get longevity at Forest, in fact I am not sure who will.

I wonder if the Breadman jumped after McParland got the push for allegedly only buying players linked to his cousin the players agent?

comment by Red Forest Bear ( Bear Knows) (U6288)
posted 12 hours, 8 minutes ago
I wonder if the Breadman jumped after McParland got the push for allegedly only buying players linked to his cousin the players agent?
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That is the suggestion, unfortunately.

None are outstanding candidates as it is January, the worse time of the season to get rid of a manager.

I don’t want Clough as manager as I think the name would just be a burden to all.

Nigel would be my shout but I doubt the Greeks would give enough time for an overhaul.

The recent arrivals have been hit and miss and there’s probably more that’ll need moving in the next managers eyes than kept. Also we need as much leadership as we can get at the moment and Nige will atleast bring that from the touch line.

Nigel made the foundations of a competitive derby under limited circumstances which is the exactly type of thing we could benefit from, maybe not under Nigel’s stewardship, but maybe the man that follow him.


A fair chunk of the CG faithful spent most of the time undermining Warbs passing play this season and the players took to that. It’s no surprise that the first poor run got warburton sacked.

Our regulars are fairly toxic to anything less than 1.5 points per game, and in all fairness, all fans are. Fans say they care the most about ‘how’ they play football than results, which for most is a lie. What they mean is to be competitive. Most fans would take a team of 9 defenders and a striker if we were champions by February but the second the plan stops working, it’s down to style.

The only time I can remember fans willing to have that patience at the CG when they weren’t winning was Pearce. Nigel will get that time from the fans, probably not from the board.

Was the story not that they were buying players linked to an agency Warburton’s daughter worked for? McParland seemingly got sacked Friday night before the Sunderland game which must have meant Warbs knew he was out straight after. This kinda activity whilst not unlawful is disturbingly unethical and meant the primary motivation for our transfer targets wasn’t squad enhancement but financial gain for the men entrusted with the clubs footballing future.

Bill Davies was undoubtedly at the same carry on which would explain some of his ridiculous business (Kelvin Wilson for one) which is demoralizing to read about as a fan. Is it any wonder we struggle to make medium to long term progress on the pitch with greed determining our transfer activity, if anything it makes me feel a great deal of sympathy for owners who are already being bleed dry financially with day to day operating costs.

If this story is indeed what unfolded then as fans we should take comfort from the fact the current owners won’t tolerate such nonsense which bodes well for the long term future of the club. You simply can’t have corrupt greedy managers dictating transfer policy to line their pockets making signings from a tiny pool of players with secondary concern for whether they improve the squad. It’s the most corrupt form of the tail wagging the dog and it’s foundations are being constructed on hollow legs which will all implode further down the road meaning we ll always be stop starting as a club.

This kinda nonsense will play a factor in who we now appoint so hopefully this will help us build for the future. It’s looking increasingly like it’s gonna be young Nige, Heckingbottom is signing players and has wealthy new backers so there’s no lure to come to Forest so think he’s a non starter. At this stage I’d be delighted if they hired Paul Cook whose at the top of the pile in L1 with successive seasons of success in the lower leagues, think he’s earned a shot at the Championship 👍🏼

comment by Forestlen (U9095)
posted 1 hour, 23 minutes ago
Was the story not that they were buying players linked to an agency Warburton’s daughter worked for? McParland seemingly got sacked Friday night before the Sunderland game which must have meant Warbs knew he was out straight after. This kinda activity whilst not unlawful is disturbingly unethical and meant the primary motivation for our transfer targets wasn’t squad enhancement but financial gain for the men entrusted with the clubs footballing future.

Bill Davies was undoubtedly at the same carry on which would explain some of his ridiculous business (Kelvin Wilson for one) which is demoralizing to read about as a fan. Is it any wonder we struggle to make medium to long term progress on the pitch with greed determining our transfer activity, if anything it makes me feel a great deal of sympathy for owners who are already being bleed dry financially with day to day operating costs.

If this story is indeed what unfolded then as fans we should take comfort from the fact the current owners won’t tolerate such nonsense which bodes well for the long term future of the club. You simply can’t have corrupt greedy managers dictating transfer policy to line their pockets making signings from a tiny pool of players with secondary concern for whether they improve the squad. It’s the most corrupt form of the tail wagging the dog and it’s foundations are being constructed on hollow legs which will all implode further down the road meaning we ll always be stop starting as a club.

This kinda nonsense will play a factor in who we now appoint so hopefully this will help us build for the future. It’s looking increasingly like it’s gonna be young Nige, Heckingbottom is signing players and has wealthy new backers so there’s no lure to come to Forest so think he’s a non starter. At this stage I’d be delighted if they hired Paul Cook whose at the top of the pile in L1 with successive seasons of success in the lower leagues, think he’s earned a shot at the Championship 👍🏼
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I’d add an allegedly to all that, Len...

It would depress me for another legend of my youth to be put through the City Ground wringer after Pearce. There is no patience in this division as you are either a good run of results from pushing top six or, equally, a poor run of results from troubling the bottom three. It makes people so twitchy these days as money rules and the financial gains and losses make it break so many clubs. It is too much of a pressure cooker. Even Moaninho is at it saying £300m isn’t enough to produce a challenge for the title (although, I think his style and personality are also a factor in his failure). It seems like we won’t ever see a time again where a manager will get a couple of years to pick a club up off it’s haunches and get it ship shape.

For that reason, I hope again that Nigel shows due loyalty to Burton Albion and continues to develop them as a club on the up. They say fortune favours the brave but I could only see his appointment at Forest ending in regret. Certain fans and the media would put extra pressure on him due to the surname and it would be a distracting central theme to everything. I don’t see that as conducive to success.

Another amusing link to the manager’s post was the NP reporting that ex-Dortmund manager, Thomas Tuchal, has thrown his hat in the ring. I have no doubt he would like to manage in England at some point but he would surely be Prem-bound?

If Heckingbottom is being backed at Barnsley then the sensible choice would be Paul Cook. Bring in an experienced head like Paul Hart (although he is on a good thing at Luton) to help him along the way and see if he can prove himself.

It was pointed out on an article on Seat Pitch that the owners and chairman seem to have gone a little quiet after their measured and informative start to life at the CG. I think now is the time to give the supporters a bit of a gee up with a few words explaining what direction they want the club to go in now they have readjusted their plans, whether they wanted to or not.