How many more??

[MikeyJ25]

How many more quality loan signings are we going to watch go by before we pull our fingers out our arses and realise they can actually add some strength to our squad?

I admire Billy and job he has / is doing but cannot help but think he isnt quite the 'hapless victim' he makes himself out to be. Granted, it was the boards failure to land Pratley and Whittingham over the summer however moving on from that, we have seen a number of players recently go on loan to clubs around us who realistically, we could have landed.

To name but a few......

Andy Reid - Sheff Utd - surely a 14stone Reidy is better than Tyson?!
Liam Lawrence - Pompey - we saw what hes capable of on sat, and has been outstanding since joining them. Way better than both Anderson and McCleary
Dave Kitson - Pompey - Proven goalscorer at this level and perfect foil for earnie. A much better option that Dele, Tyson, or 'Goldie'
Curtis Davies - - Leicester - Quality centre back. Ok, not a priority, but would rather have sold Wilson to Celtic for over a mil and brought him on a season long loan than lose Wilson for zero end of season.
Kyle Naughton - Leicester - Decent defender, again not a priority, but gives us options. Not overly fussed we werent in for him.
Andy O'Brien - Leeds - similar to Davies and Naughton not a priority but Billy does keep saying we need depth.....

Our squad should we have made some / all of these signings would surely have been pushing for automatic......

CAMP

GUNTER / NAUGHTON MORGAN WILSON / DAVIES BERTRAND


LAWRENCE / ANDERSON MCKENNA / O'BRIEN / MOUSSI COHEN / MAJEVSKI / MCGUGAN REID


KITSON EARNSHAW

 

[RufusTFirefly]

O'brien was at leeds academy and reidy probably has his own reasons for not returning, but as to the other four we simply have not stolen enough money recently to afford their wages.

 

[winnits]

That sums it up for me Rufus. I've noted elsewhere I admire Reid's abilities and don't deny that he probably is more talented than what we have - but he brings with him baggage, and an awful reputation for being a bad influence on the culture of the squad.

Can't help but think coming back to Nottingham would be bad for him - and us.

As for Lawrence and Kitson, Pompey have the moral bankruptcy to offer their parent clubs a heftier cut of their wages than we would be prepared to do.

The defenders I'm not so fussed about in all honesty.

 

[incapable hulk]

but as to the other four we simply have not stolen enough money recently to afford their wages.

I thought we were the only club in the division with money to spend?

 

[RufusTFirefly]

I thought we were the only club in the division with money to spend?

We're the only club in the division with our OWN money to spend

 

[MikeyJ25]

I thought we were the only club in the division with money to spend?

Indeed - it seems like there is so much conflicting info coming out of the club.

Accepting players wage demands might be an issue, isnt that the beauty of the loan market? A short term investment with limited risk to long term finances. I understand Lawrence and Kitson may be having a larger proportion of their wages paid at Pompey, but surely this illustrates our naivety. Players who will improve our squad will generally cost money!!!

 

[DeadRed]

The thing that baffles me the most is that I've seen recently that BD has said he doesn't want a repeat of last season's Shorey saga where we were left short for the 2nd half of the season because we failed to make permanant additions, I agree with this however.... SURELY, avoiding losing a player for the 2nd half of the season by not having one for the 1st half of the season doesn't make sense?

 

[RICH1977]

was speaking to a lad at work today and both said after seeing how well bennet is doing at palace its a shame we couldnt bring him back play him at left back and move bertrand up on the wing to solve the left sided player problem as Im told that was his original position at chelseas academy, would be better than bloody tyson.

 

[Strummer]

It seems the manager has made it clear that he isn't interested in loan players, that he only wants permanent signings, which kind of rules out any chance of us loaning anyone else (other than perhaps Bertie, who I do hope we can extend the loan of for the second half of the season!)

But having seen our frankly embarrassing pursuit of Messrs Pratley and Whittingham in the summer, I'm not holding out much hope.

Unless of course "Uncle" Sepp Blatter possibly does us a favour by giving England the World Cup in 2018, thus prompting a flood of investors in to Forest unlike that seen since the Klondike Gold Rush of the 19th Century!!

 

[TrickyTart]

Billy said no to Reid, just as he has done to several other suggestions....

 

[incapable hulk]

We're the only club in the division with our OWN money to spend

Ha! Excellent point

was speaking to a lad at work today and both said after seeing how well bennet is doing at palace its a shame we couldnt bring him back play him at left back and move bertrand up on the wing to solve the left sided player problem as Im told that was his original position at chelseas academy, would be better than bloody tyson.

Bertrand spent most of his year and half loan spell at norwich as a left winger as well. Personally, I think this would be a decent option and is about 100 times better than having tyson on the wing.

 

[Shippo]

was speaking to a lad at work today and both said after seeing how well bennet is doing at palace its a shame we couldnt bring him back play him at left back and move bertrand up on the wing to solve the left sided player problem as Im told that was his original position at chelseas academy, would be better than bloody tyson.

I'm a massive fan of this idea! Not only does that give us breathing space to find someone for the left Wong position, it also brings back a Nottm lad who is proud of being a red, always plays with passion and has that little fight about him. As someone else has posted giving Bertrand the chance to do a 'Bale' also seems an intelligent option.

 

[MikeyJ25]

I'm a massive fan of this idea! Not only does that give us breathing space to find someone for the left Wong position, it also brings back a Nottm lad who is proud of being a red, always plays with passion and has that little fight about him. As someone else has posted giving Bertrand the chance to do a 'Bale' also seems an intelligent option.

The biggest flaw with this plan is that we are kidding ourselves if we think Bennett is a decent Championship left back. League one maybe, Championship certainly nothing more than a squad player.

 

[EAST LEAKE RED]

Bennett is simply not good enough to fill the left back berth at this level, his commitment and enthusiasm is just enough for him to be successful at this level.

Judging by what Uncle Billy has said, we will not be making any additions between now and January. IMO we can live with this as long as, a) we can stay within a few points of the play-off places and b) we are reasonably lucky with injuries and suspensions.

If we are within 3-4 points of the play off positions come January and we can make a couple of strong (permanent) signings, I reckon we can secure a play off place. Automatic promotion already seems too ambitious for this term. Somehow I can't see QPR or Cardiff tripping up.

 

[incapable hulk]

Bennett is simply not good enough to fill the left back berth at this level, his commitment and enthusiasm is just enough for him to be successful at this level

Based on what? How many times did you see him at this level?

 

[MikeyJ25]

Based on what? How many times did you see him at this level?

Unless his positioning has improved ten fold since League One then he will get ripped to shreds. Yes he can make a great tackle, but more often than not, he is not in the right place to make the tackle. I like the guy and wish him well but we would be taking a massive backwards step having him as part of our back 4.

 

[EAST LEAKE RED]

Unless his positioning has improved ten fold since League One then he will get ripped to shreds. Yes he can make a great tackle, but more often than not, he is not in the right place to make the tackle. I like the guy and wish him well but we would be taking a massive backwards step having him as part of our back 4.

Exactly my sentiments, I loved him for his 100% commitment but he has just not good enough for a Champiosnship team with promotion ambitions. It's true that we have not seen him at championship level with Forest, but having seen him play every game at League 1 with us and quite often found wanting against League One Wingers it is difficult to believe he can do a job for us. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the only team he had a regular stint with was Walsall. I just hope that he gets offered a permantent contract with Palace as he is an honest professional footballer who deserves to make a reasonable living out of the game

 

[Shippo]

Exactly my sentiments, I loved him for his 100% commitment but he has just not good enough for a Champiosnship team with promotion ambitions. It's true that we have not seen him at championship level with Forest, but having seen him play every game at League 1 with us and quite often found wanting against League One Wingers it is difficult to believe he can do a job for us. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the only team he had a regular stint with was Walsall. I just hope that he gets offered a permantent contract with Palace as he is an honest professional footballer who deserves to make a reasonable living out of the game

Rubbish!! I took him to the Prem on FM2010 and he flourished! Football Manager never lies!!

 

[incapable hulk]

Exactly my sentiments, I loved him for his 100% commitment but he has just not good enough for a Champiosnship team with promotion ambitions. It's true that we have not seen him at championship level with Forest, but having seen him play every game at League 1 with us and quite often found wanting against League One Wingers it is difficult to believe he can do a job for us. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the only team he had a regular stint with was Walsall. I just hope that he gets offered a permantent contract with Palace as he is an honest professional footballer who deserves to make a reasonable living out of the game

Most of our squad was like that. Wes and kelvin never looked particuarly good in league 1, or even in thier first season in the championship- but both made eventually adjusted and made the step up. Why cant bennett? Christ, until recently chambers looked awful, but hes another one who with a bit of time has adjusted and now looks like a decent player.

Mcgugan spent most of his career being a 10 minute wonder, and looking mostly mediocre with the odd flash of brilliance- but hes another one who has stepped up his game now and looks like a hell of a player.

By all accounts bennett is playing very well at palace, so I think its a bit premature to make such a silly judgement. Im not expecting him to be the next big thing, but its a bit harsh to judge the guy and rule him out, without even giving him a chance. Particuarly when in his last actual season with us- he got player of the year.

And folk complain about players showing no loyalty.

 

[alabamared]

Billy said no to Reid, just as he has done to several other suggestions....

Are you sure? Who told you?

I don't think (just my opinion) that Billy was in the least bit interested in Reid.

 

[Anatoli]

Len Goodman: Seven
Bruno Anatoli: Six

It's inevitable.

 

[MikeyJ25]

Most of our squad was like that. Wes and kelvin never looked particuarly good in league 1, or even in thier first season in the championship- but both made eventually adjusted and made the step up. Why cant bennett? Christ, until recently chambers looked awful, but hes another one who with a bit of time has adjusted and now looks like a decent player.

Mcgugan spent most of his career being a 10 minute wonder, and looking mostly mediocre with the odd flash of brilliance- but hes another one who has stepped up his game now and looks like a hell of a player.

By all accounts bennett is playing very well at palace, so I think its a bit premature to make such a silly judgement. Im not expecting him to be the next big thing, but its a bit harsh to judge the guy and rule him out, without even giving him a chance. Particuarly when in his last actual season with us- he got player of the year.

And folk complain about players showing no loyalty.

For every player that has come good, there are examples of those who haven't - Tyson, Perch, McCleary, Thornhill to name but a few. I use the term 'good' in the sense that they could hold down a place in a top 6 Championship team.

If we are harbouring hopes of promotion, then we cannot rely on a second rate left back 'coming good', we need to build on what we have. Bertrand is a quality left back, and a gifted left winger in the mould of Reid will give us the strength we need on that side of the pitch.

 

[EAST LEAKE RED]

Most of our squad was like that. Wes and kelvin never looked particuarly good in league 1, or even in thier first season in the championship- but both made eventually adjusted and made the step up. Why cant bennett? Christ, until recently chambers looked awful, but hes another one who with a bit of time has adjusted and now looks like a decent player.

Mcgugan spent most of his career being a 10 minute wonder, and looking mostly mediocre with the odd flash of brilliance- but hes another one who has stepped up his game now and looks like a hell of a player.

By all accounts bennett is playing very well at palace, so I think its a bit premature to make such a silly judgement. Im not expecting him to be the next big thing, but its a bit harsh to judge the guy and rule him out, without even giving him a chance. Particuarly when in his last actual season with us- he got player of the year.

And folk complain about players showing no loyalty.

McGugan is the best product to come from the Academy for some years. That was obvious when we were in League One. Wilson had proven Championship ability before joining us (Preston). His appearance in the first eleven was unquestiionble until Celtic started sniffing. Chambers is doing OK but he is not at he same level as Wilson. A fighting fit Bennett would never have got ahead of Shorey or Bertrand in the last 12 months which is why I suspect that if you wish to see him him play in the next 12 months you will need to take a trip across the Trent to Meadow Lane

 

[RICH1977]

palace want him on a perm in january from what im told, palace fans rate him very very highly so he cant be doing that bad, hes better than playing f***ing chambers at left back

 

[winnits]

Palace are also bottom of the league so probably do have lower aspirations than us.

That said, I don't think Bennett has had a fair enough crack of the whip at this level for any of us to unilaterally write him off... although from my own observations I suspect he's more likely to be found wanting than thrive at this level.