Blades, Best and Grant confusion..
The first friendly announcement has been made, and it’s our old friends Sheffield United. Of course, it remains to be seen whether the same vitriol will be there now Neil Warnock has stepped aside to be replaced by Bryan Robson. It’s an odd choice given the frequent ill-feeling between the two sets of fans, and naturally despite recent relegation the Blades fans still very much have the bragging rights over lowly us. I wonder whether it was a Capital One inspired idea, since they sponsor both clubs?
The game will take place at Brammall Lane on 4th August (a Saturday), and since it’s a pretty easy trip up the M1 it could be quite an entertaining day out, with delightfully witty banter about the miners’ strike sure to make an appearance (sic).
The other couple of bits and pieces are continued reports linking us with Southampton striker Leon Best. Best is a Nottingham lad, and it will amuse Derby fans no end if we were to sign him given his shambolic performance in the Saints’s playoff date with the sheep botherers, and he seems to divide opinion amongst the Forest support as far as I can tell. I’ve not really seen enough of him to have an informed opinion about his relative merits or otherwise. Certainly he banged in plenty of goals for Yeovil whilst on loan - but that said, they have a creative midfield!
And for one potential outgoing comes a potential outgoing - there’s mixed reports about Grant Holt, some sources are suggesting a move to Carlisle is all but done, whilst others quote their manager as not wanting to sign ‘just anyone’, and another still suggests they’ve had a bid rejected for him! So who knows what the hell is happening there? The body language of Smoulds gives the impression he wouldn’t be sorry to lose Grant, and of course if there’s anything in the Best rumours there’s a ready made replacement being lined up.
26 May, 2007 at 1:17 pm
I see Prutts is “begging to be given a chance to prove himself” (Sats NEP) - whats the word on the street NFFC?
26 May, 2007 at 3:20 pm
Well, there’s a few snippets of things I’ve heard but nothing concrete at all.
Firstly, Southampton are in financial trouble having failed to go up, admittedly that’s not so much of an issue because Prutt’s is out of contract, but it might explain their willingness to listen to us about Best.
Secondly, I had heard Prutton had all but made arrangements to move elsewhere should Forest fail to go up - but perhaps he hasn’t after all. To be honest, with his temper and basic all round lack of finesse I think we could do a lot better than him for the likely wages he’ll be asking for.
26 May, 2007 at 6:08 pm
For me, despite his brain dead performance against Yeovil, I would take Prutton as feel the pros outway the cons…
Pros:
1 A player with much experience in the championship (and the Premiership).
2 Still the right age.
3 Can play both on the right and in the centre
4 Is better than any of our current midfielders
5 Actually has an affinity with the club
6 Appears to be really popular in the dressing room
7 A box to box player
8 If you believe what you read in the NEP, he actually wants to come!
Cons
1 Clearly a brain dead bufoon!
2 Will get sent off at least twice a season
3 Will get booked at least 10 times a season
4 Not a creative player
5 Does not get enough goals
6 Is actually lacking in fitness due to a number of lengthy injuries (and suspensions!)
So 8-6 to the pros!
In all seriousness, I would take him because I still feel that a fit DP is better than what we already have. And he owes the club big time after last Friday.
I would also take Leon Best if he really wants to come. Again, he would undoubtedly improve our strike force.
Finally, up until the last couple of months I would have definitely have been against letting Grant Holt go. However, I can’t help feeling that for all of his effort (no one can doubt his work rate) he just hasn’t quite got enough quality. The point is this, I could quite easily see Tyson, Agogo or indeed a fit Dobie playing for Forest in the championship should we ever get there. Sorry to say but I don’t see Grant Holt in that level of competition.
Right, tin hat on and wait for the vitriol…..
27 May, 2007 at 1:00 am
[...] Blades, Best and Grant confusion.. [image]The first friendly announcement has been made, and it’s our old friends Sheffield United. Of course, it […] [...]
27 May, 2007 at 9:47 am
LOL@Barrow….no actually a fair point - certainly about Prutts.
Actually I expected more from him though. As a player plying his trade in a higher league, I expected to see the different class in him that a higher league demands. And frankly I didn’t.
Truth be known he actually disappointed me and when thr first time he left Forest, I was very disappointed to see him leave, this time I’m not sure I will be.
28 May, 2007 at 4:12 am
I see Mark Crossley has beeen released by Fulham and Richard Wright by Everton. We need cover for Smith.Any comments?????????
28 May, 2007 at 10:05 pm
Either would do a grand job, particularly if they have a mind to go on to coaching…