James Perch

[earthworm]

Its just like a new signing!

VERSATILE James Perch is confident he can make up for his injury nightmare by playing a pivotal role in Nottingham Forest's promotion push.

The Reds utility man has been a frustrated spectator as a shin injury forced him to miss the first half of the campaign.

In that time, the Reds have gone from strength to strength under manager Billy Davies to reach third in the Championship as they entered 2010.

But after battling back to fitness, Perch hopes to add strength in depth to the squad, in order to maintain their superb run.

Last season's captain was brought into the team for the goalless FA Cup third round draw with Premiership Birmingham and played the full 90 minutes as the Reds made it 17 games unbeaten.

It also saw them record a sixth successive clean sheet and he hopes his presence at right-back proved he adds depth to the squad as it allowed Davies to reshuffle his rearguard, with on-loan Nicky Shorey ineligible.

Now Perch, who made his 200th Forest appearance against Birmingham, hopes to be a regular figure during the second half of the campaign.

The 24-year-old said: "I want to kick on now. I have one game under my belt and it has done me no harm playing 90 minutes.

"Now I can push on and hopefully be involved in a massive game against (second-placed) West Brom tomorrow.

"The gaffer said when I was injured I could come back and be one of the most important players. I would have a part to play.

"He said I might play the last ten games or the last two, depending on how my injury was.

"Luckily I have been able to come back earlier. Now I want to kick on and play my part."

Perch broke into the team at the start of the 2004/05 season, just a year after Forest had missed out in the play-offs to reach the Premier League.

But he has come through the ranks and wants to be part of a squad that can finally take the club back into the top flight.

"Paul Hart had a similar run like this when he was in charge and I am just glad to be back to be a part of this one," said Perch.

"The gaffer chucked me in and it was one of those games where, with it being a cup game and not a league one, there are no points at stake.

"But I came in and did OK. I was always going to get tired and cramp up and I just have to get over that stage."

Its the J Mc

!

 

[puds1970]

As long as Perch settles for a place on the bench at best, I think it's time he moved on.

 

[Dadford]

As long as Perch settles for a place on the bench at best, I think it's time he moved on.

Maybe he should get a chance. He has been part of plenty shit teams, it's time to see, when and if the chance arrives, hs is up to it.

 

[Azza]

As long as Perch settles for a place on the bench at best, I think it's time he moved on.

You watch the Birmingham game? I think that when you come back from injury for so long and be one of our best players, when everyone played well against a Premiership side, then it shows that he is more than competent to be in our first team plans.

I'm not saying I'd pick him at RB over Gunter, or CM over McKenna, but for you to be saying he should settle for a place on the bench 'at best' is a tad ridiculous.

 

[Dadford]

You watch the Birmingham game? I think that when you come back from injury for so long and be one of our best players, when everyone played well against a Premiership side, then it shows that he is more than competent to be in our first team plans.

I'm not saying I'd pick him at RB over Gunter, or CM over McKenna, but for you to be saying he should settle for a place on the bench 'at best' is a tad ridiculous.

but beware, one swallow does not make a great girlfriend.

 

[Kier]

Perch is a woeful midfielder; gives the ball away just a much as he wins it. Thankfully the central midfield is so well stocked he is unlikely to play there this season.

He is a competent right-back at this level as shown against Birmingham and is good back up for Gunter.

 

[Azza]

but beware, one swallow does not make a great girlfriend.

Indeed.

I don't see where this way of thinking has come from though. I'd say he's been our most consistent performer over the past few years, and has been able to play well even when the team around him has been utter shite. Sure he's had bad games but every player who's ever played football has bad games.

And to be fair, it's not like the Birmingham game was just your run-of-the-mill league game. It was his first game back from a very long lay off, against in-form Premiership opposition. He played brilliantly, hardly ever giving the ball away, even when in tight spaces. Yeah, he was a bit knackered at the end but it was his first 90 minutes in many months.

I'd much rather have him as back up RB than Chambers, who just boots the ball up the field at every given opportunity.

 

[RedMark]

I still rate Perch.

Saying he is 'woeful' is a bit far. Admittedly he has had games in the middle that he would himself admit weren't up to scratch but their are times when he has ran things very well, but I don't see him as a CM anymore. He can play the full back roles and with some more game time and put those full backs under pressure.
Like Chambers has at CB. Not played too much but when he does I'm sure he gives Billy a headache in selection terms, Perch has the ability to do the same.

 

[TheDude]

He wants to go to CB so i'v heard John McGovern (J MAC :wink can't see him shinning there TBH but i think hes a good squad player and they come in handy over a season.

 

[earthworm]

Interesting to see him point to his CV and say "I can play at this level"! I think that's a message for us fans.

"Paul Hart had a similar run like this when he was in charge and I am just glad to be back to be a part of this one," said Perch."

 

[winnits]

I rate Perchy too. A grafter, an honest lad and comfortable on the ball. As Dadford points out, we've only seen him in sides that have been - for the most part - abject shit. Give the lad a chance, or better still, let Billy be the judge.

I thought he was excellent against Birmingham - and considering that's his first game in bloody ages, all the more credit is due.

 

[Tartan Tart Ups]

I rate Perchy (I would im his dad) :wink:

I have been saying this for a few season's now but my opinion is that Perchy is the best right back at the club (even after the arrival of Chris Gunter). I would give the right back position to a fully fit Perchy over Gunter every time. My reasoning is that Perchy is a far better tackler than Gunter and he is also one of the quickest at the club.

 

[It's Baggio]

Perch is a good squad player. Capable of playing pretty well in a number of positions.

Gunter's been great and has barely put a foot wrong since signing, he's far better on the ball and just as quick IMO. Perch has had one decent game in years at full back, so I don't know how he could possibly be looked upon as the better full back.

 

[Randy Bumgardener]

When he came on was anyone else surprised at how well he did ? A very important job for us at a very important stage of the game.

It's given me food for though that he may actually become an important part of this team !

 

[PSR]

Am I missing something here? (Forest Transfers)

Is he on his way?

 

[Randy Bumgardener]

Nope, just searched for Perch and didn't see the forum it was in.