NFFC vs Southampton

Another Monday morning. Another defeat to reflect on.

Despite the table not looking particulary pleasant at this moment in time, I still believe it doesn't reflect the bigger picture.

When was the last time Forest had a good start to the season? It's going back a few years.

I wasn't at the game so I'm only able to go on highlights and close people's views but unfortunately it sounds like the same old story, brilliant going forward but awful at the back. How many times have we said that this season and we're only in September?

First and foremost, let's not forget that we have gone to a club, who are in fine form and backed by a tremendous fan base and very nearly, and probably should have, taken points off them.

But, our back five were caught out again. Two of them being crosses swung into the box. I'm dumbfounded over where Chambers and Morgan's aerial dominance has gone. I have suggested the captaincy is adding extra pressure for Chambers, but as a mate of mine rightly pointed out, it shouldn't make a difference. If you're a born leader, you'll do the job of a captain whether you're wearing the armband or not. Maybe Chambers wasn't the right decision after all.

Camp is a tough one. His head clearly isn't in the right place. He dropped a clanger in midweek for his country and just isn't dominating his box like he used to.

Suprise suprise, I think it comes down to the same old problem; lack of squad depth. Both with Chambers and Camp, there is no-one challenging or pressurising them. Realistically, we know Camp is a much better all round keeper than Smith and only Lynch could fill in at centre back but isn't as good as Morgan or the skipper. The decision to drop either of the current players would be a massive risk and at this particular moment, I can't see McClaren doing it. He'll just hope that it comes good in the end.

Which, to be fair, I don't think will be very long. I've said in past entries, that the midfield and strikers are beginning to really gel and we showed it again on Saturday as we scored two excellent goals. Nice to see Derbyshire open his account. He showed a real striker's instinct to gamble on Miller's low cross and a nice sign of intelligence as he layed on Majewski instead of shooting himself, which would have been tempting.

The injury to Miller is a real shame, especially as his Forest career was gathering pace. Already a fan favourite, it's a big blow with Derby in town soon.

I know I'm repeating myself, but as soon as the defence has a solid display and the team are able to achieve a solid win, which they deserve, we will start rapidly climbing up the table and come christmas, I'm quite sure we'll be hovering around the top 8.

We need players without a doubt, and I was annoyed to see we'd missed out on Collins. I can only think it's a money issue and with the sale of Connor Wickham, we were unable to match what Ipswich were offering.

But we just need one result. One game where the City Ground is lifted once more.

What better occassion that this Saturday when our rivals roll into town?

Fingers crossed I'm this optimistic come 3pm Saturday.

NFFC and the International Break

Following the defeat to West Ham, I thought the international break had come at a relatively good time. McClaren could spent the upcoming couple of weeks, working really hard with the lads making sure a repeat of the Bank Holiday debacle didn't happen again. Combine this with a couple of new faces to arrive before the transfer window deadline and there was still that feeling of positivity around the place.

Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure neither of these things happened.

I was shocked to wake up to the news on Thursday morning that Steve McClaren had flown to Europe to be with his family and was 'considering his future'. I appreciate the defeat must have been hard to take and everyone associated with the club were disappointed but it takes longer than seven games to stamp your authority on the team.

Then more hearsay began to escape and the bigger picture became apparent.

It appeared McClaren was dreadfully unhappy at the lack of signings made in the transfer window. Yet again, a deadline day had passed with no new arrivals. Max Gradel flew to France while Wade Elliott chose rivals Birmingham City.

The only fans who I'll allow to be more frustrated than us fellow reds in a transfer window would be those who follow Everton. What a horrible time they've had this summer.

But following McClaren's post match interview in which he stressed, almost begged, that new signings must be made, we actually lost a player as Joe Garner moved to Watford. Disappointed to see him go, I always liked his tenacity and he never had a decent run in the team. I have no doubts he'll score a fair few for the Hornets this season.

Now I appreciate football is a business and in the economic state this country is in, money is tight. This, combined with the financial fair play rules that are coming in next season has resulted in chairman being a little less keen to spend.

I also will never say a bad word about Nigel Doughty. He has pumped millions of pounds of his own money to keep this club going, especially in the awful Platt era and always has the club's best interests at heart.

But to go out and appoint one of the best coaches in the game today and let's be honest, McClaren is going to be on a decent wage, to then have the gaffer 'thinking' about his future is hugely worrying.

We all know the saga's that used to occur under Davies, but now the same messages are occuring from McClaren. Something has to give.

Of course, none of us know what goes on behind closed doors. The board may have worked frantically hard on deadline day as we aimed to secure someone but it simply wasn't enough. The message is simple, we must back McClaren.

It appears the board have realised this and if press talk is to be believed, funds have been made available to sign three players in the loan window. Ryan Bertrand is expected to arrive, although Newcastle are rumoured to be interested. If true, the left back will obviously stay in the PL. Who can blame him? Andros Townsend is another rumour that's gathering pace. If true, it would be a superb signing. I've seen the odd appearance from the winger, most recently against Hearts and he looked superb. Direct, confident, skillful, a player with a real future at the highest level but where does that leave Andy Reid? Simon Cox has also been mentioned but a press release this morning suggested he's going to fight for his place at the Hawthorns. Not massively fussed, I believe Findley and Miller have the potential to be our top two this season, with Derbyshire and Tudgay waiting in the wings. Blackstock is also making great progress from injury so there's five strikers. I haven't forgotten McGoldrick, I just don't class him as a striker. Finally, we are reportedly interested in Standard Liege midfielder Reginal Goreux.

While I appreciate the board and McClaren are trying to send out a message that new signings will be made and competition for places will be key, am I the only one who is extremely sceptical over the fact no centre back has been rumoured?
Against West Ham, Leicester, Notts County and Wycombe, our attacking play wasn't the issue. We conceded sloppy goals.
Yet, we are trying to sign a left back who will face no competition as he slots straight in and despite their recent mistakes, Chambers and Morgan will know their place is secure as well?! It makes no sense.
It wasn't long ago that Anthony Gardner was training with us after turning down an offer from Crystal Palace. Rumour has it that we were happy to sign him following a pre season appearance against Lincoln. So why does he then sign a contract with Palace?
This is the frustration. Clearly, wage demands have gone up and while I don't expect Forest to become a welcome mat, we may need to address the times and realise more money needs to be offered to secure these players.
Don't think I'm suggesting we spend like Leicester, if they don't get promoted this season, they are in serious trouble. I'm just suggesting that IF (and I appreciate it's a massive if) the funds are available to be a little bit more daring, then we have to take that risk.
We employed McClaren because of his knowledge and experience. The board now has to trust his advice and aim to work with him as he aims to improve this squad.

As Saturday rolls round and a very tough trip to Southampton awaits, I hope there will be a few new faces on the team bus. I also hope the current set of lads have been working bloody hard on the training pitch. If they haven't, I dread to think what the scoreline will be at 5pm on Saturday evening against a free flowing Saints side.

Also, just a quick mention for the England team. Nice to see some new faces in there and settling in so well. Capello appears to have adapated his managerial technique and it's reaping the rewards. I hope it continues tonight against Wales.
If it does and we dispose of a good Welsh team in the same manner as we did in the tricky test in Bulgaria then Capello will soon be a shining light once more. But as he appears to finally be making progress as England manager, will it not completely defeat the point by asking him to leave and appointing someone else with new ideas? Back to square one?

Anyway, one mangerial headache at a time!