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So I wonder out of all the new signings, which one will become a hero to the "Forest Faithfull". Not since the days of Stuart Pearce or Stan Collymore has there been a player who has become a legend. A player that truly excites the fans and gives them a reason not to miss any match down out the City Ground. I truly believe exciting times are ahead but yearn for the player that has just that little bit kudos, nous, charisma - call it what you want but we need him this season! Anyone out there prepared to name such just a player?

Nick Moseley

I would like to thank the chairman for investing in Nottingham Forest's football team. I hope this season we can really push for promotion, and get our Forest back into the premiership, then Europe(ok, keep calm). Great signings, hope the defence is going to be as good as the attacking options.
I will be going to more games (when I'm not working), I'm excited about the future!!.
Thanks again to our MD and BD.

Anthony
London Red

I have just finished reading a host of comments from Nottingham Forest supporters, a lot of them so negative I find them hard to believe. Especially DAZ.
The promises that were made which most writers doubted have been adhered to.
Camp, Anderson, Mcgoldrick, Adebola, Gunter, Mckenna, Lynch, Blacksock. Have all been signed, add to that Majewski and how many more in the future.
We have a solid squad and will achieve a very respectable posistion in the league this coming season.
We have a driven manager and a superb backing team of coaches and physios.
The work that has been put in by Billy Davies, David Pleat, Mark Arthur and the Chairman in bringing these players to the club is admirable and I am sure that they will continue to work on continuing to improve the squad.
May I also say that If it was not for Nigel Doughty and his magnificent financial backing there may not even BE a Nottingham Forest.
Come on everyone, get behind this this great set up.

Jim
East Sussex

Firstly I am very optimistic. But sadly reminded by Phil of the Forest about that Platt era. How he earns a living on TV escapes me!
Goalies sorted.
defence still some work?
defensive midfielders sorted?
creative midfield lots of work?
Strikers very well served as I write, but does it mean tys and Joe G, are away? I hope not as Tys can do other roles and Joe G isn't getting any chances, but has the talent.
Blending the players early might be a challenge for the boss, but I think we might surprise a few. Lets just keep to oursealves as WBA, Toon, Boro and Derby can do the early brag?

gary North east

I said recently that the panic was over. I said it because we as supporters were in the dark about what was going on and we were just out of finishing 13th in the league with 7 on loan players and a manager who kept slagging off the players when the going got hard. Then we started signing players, a secret long term plan by that same manager? I guess so.
One clever trevor said who was panicking? Well it could have gone the other way couldn't it. Some people have short memories and see things through rose tinted glasses without any realisation that things aren't quite how they should be.
Now we are in a very good position transfer wise. 8 signings is better than the 7 on loan last season. Years of being out of the premiership, managers changing like the weather, financial problems shall I continue? So why panic? Silly me!
All is well, I am feeling calm and collected and am building faith in the powers that be. The proof will be in the pudding. I am certainly keen to give my support and will see it through, hopefully with no cause to panic.

Come on you reds!
This time next year? Who knows!

Rowen Udell

Really looking forward to the start of the new season and I haven't said that in a long time.
I believe that if we can get a good start, we will be up there and I for one have taken the Victor Chandler offer of paying for my season ticket next season if we win the Championship. I know we never see a poor bookmaker, but, this offer may just put a good dent in his pocket :)

C. Macdonald
Swadlincote

All the signings we've made have been excellent. Proven championship quality with the potential to the step up to the next level before not too long. Mckenna for me could be the key to a successful season - a crack at the play-offs. I've heard a lot of criticm regarding his goal scoring rate but that's not what he's about. He has leadership qualities that we have been lacking sorely in the past few seasons. With Camp in goal commanding his box, and Mckenna in front of the back four I'm convinced our defence will look a brand new outfit. They'll be confident and in having a tenacious player like Mckenna in the middle also gives the fullbacks opportunity to provide an additional attacking threat down the flanks. Gunter is great at doing that. Lynch at the moment has potential to develop but needs consistency. Of course we'll have Bennett when he returns, but for me, Danny Fox from Coventry could be the missing piece of the jigsaw.

David Painter

Hello everyone
Well aint it nice to see all of this positive stuff from the fans and Mr D getting his faith back in managers after the disastrous pratt regime, i dont blame mr D for being over cautious after that.
It looks like we are (maybe) going to take a bigger step up the ladder than expected thanks to the double D regime.
For those of you who can remember, lets hope "double D works wonders" for us.
cheeeeeerrrrrrrssss everyone
Come on you mighty reds

Phil of the Forest faithful

I am absolutely stunned at Forests transfer activity in such a short period of time and I am delighted with the manager and chairman for their proactive approach! Superb, very, very well done!! For the first time in years Im so genuinely excited about the coming season and truly believe that we have got a real squad to achieve the unexpected! I went to the local bookies to get my each way promotion bet on and was shocked to see Forest had come in from 40-1 to just 16-1 now. So obviously people are taking note and responding accordingly! You've got to take your hat off to the chairman, digging deep into the war chest and backing the manager all the way, THANKYOU.
Brilliant captures so far Billy, one more defender though I think? Cant wait, cant wait, cant wait, come on my lads, COME ON THE FOREST!!!!!

Lee
North Yorkshire

We have to re-name the ground The Majewski Stadium now; that'll confuse Reading for the opening day fixture: worth a goal's start.

Bob
Thames Ditton

WOW
this summer has been fantastic lets push for the the golden challis of the premier league my god with this strike force who knows we could go up as champions!!!!
Well done BD & ND again on the people you have bought in cant wait for the league to kick off.
Its also good that the younger lads have been sent on loan to get 1st team football it can only benefit us in the long run .
COME ON YOU REDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jeff baddesley red (warks)

Just got back off holiday and it feels good, it's like the days of old, we are building a team, instead of shedding one. Lets hope the Wembley days are around the corner. I want to hear you next season Trent end you have something to shout about now. Last season was a disgrace. I remember an article on how the ref between us and Leicester said he had not heard noise like it when forest equalised come on you reds can't wait. This is what football is about!!!!

Lee from bramcote.

Fantastic that we've signed some decent strikers - one of the best attacking line ups in the Championship. However, is anyone else concerned that we desperately need some defenders?! Gunter is a cracking signing, but could do with at least two more.

Jim in Sheffield

Well, in Nottingham Forest we trust, ND & BD we believe that for once we have have a manager that can attract the players we need and a chairman that knows that investment is now the way forward. I cannot wait for the new season to start, no more broken promises of sexy signings, no more coping with what we have got and accepting the position we are in its now time to move forward and put the mighty reds back to where a club steeped in the history we have belongs: The Premier League ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Billy's wish List to date:
In:
CF Dele Adebola Free Bristol City
CF David McGoldrick 1.0mil Southampton
MF Paul Anderson 250k Liverpool
GK Lee Camp QPR 400k
RB Chris Gunter Tottenham 1.75mil
MF Paul McKenna 750k Preston
Total: £4.150.000mil

On the Board:
CF Dexter Blackstock QPR 1.6mil
LB Danny Fox Coventry 2.0mil
CB Elliott Ward Coventry 2.0mil
MF Radoslaw Majewski Warsaw loan

MF Gary Mcsheffrey (Birmingham City)
MF Isaiah Osbourne (Aston Villa)
DF Joel Lynch (Brighton HA)
DF Danny Hone (Boston Utd)
CF Ched Evens (Man City)
MF Brian Stock (Doncaster Rovers)
DF Andrew Surman (Southampton)

Miss:
CB Rob Jones (Scunthorpe)
MF Lee Croft (Derby County)
DF Shaun Barker (Derby County)
DF Matthew Mills (Birmingham City)

Lawrence Grugeon Atherstone Red

hello again (again)
does any body know if its true we are close to signing Dexter Black stock ? Well if these roumors are true what a squad we are goin to have lookin forward to it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jeff warks

sky sports certainly think he's coming - have a look at the Press Talk page - ed

Hello all forest fans
Thank u BD & ND for all the signings so far very impressed but most of all
thank u for making a forest fan very excited for next season.
Keep up the good work lads i've got a good feeling about next season.

Chris Sweden

well what can we say gunter and mckenna a hatrick for tyson and a goal for david mcgoldrick not a bad week eh . well done BD &ND for showing we are lookin forward
to take this club back to where it belongs .

COME ON UUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Jeff (warks)

first id like to say, thanks Billy for not selling Tyson he has been great since he got to us. people stop moaning about our new sponsor and just get ready for the new season. we have brought in some very talented names to add to an impressive team. just get ready to watch us take revenge on the sheep, lets hope we have a better season against them, we got lee camp now so hopefully there will be no jumping and karate kicking the ball and just diving on it i.e. burley match where we lost 5 - 0. that was shocking as i watched it on news and 4 out of 5 was smiths fault. UP THE REDS

forest till i die

Pauline Wright

I'm really glad that we've got a few things right this summer, because a season like last needs to be avoided for obvious reasons. I'm glad we've signed McGoldrick, he seemed pretty good when I was watching the Sporting Lisbon game on Portugese TV, I'm yet to be convinced about Adebola, but in his defence they had been training that morning so he might have worked a bit harder than some and could just have been tired. Signing Gunter, Camp, Anderson and McGoldrick alone would have us competing for a play-off place at the very least, so anyone else coming in would have us battling teams like Newcastle for automatic promotion in my opinion. I think we should just cement our position in the championship before going for promotion because that would probably be our downfall if we get ahead of ourselves too much. Let's hope not too many people spend a season on the sub bench because of people who have been called, "arrogant on, and off the pitch", looking like they might be signed. Not naming any names because we are still chasing them but lets hope the people who deserve to be on the pitch will still get a good amount of play (McGugan & McCleary definitely do in my opinion). I think McGugan will be going for 7 goals this season because he is improving with age and maturity.

Joe Baggaz

Great news coming out of the club on transfers and huge credit must go to our Chairman Mr Nigel Doughty. You can see how the guy has got on in life. I doubt he gets to read these emails (maybe the editor could help with that ) but I would certainly like him to know how much I appreciate his fantastic support for this club. The best I can do is buy a couple of season tickets every season but I guess every little helps.
Anyway, thanks Mr Chairman and I hope we get the success your financial backing deserves.

Ian Emerson
Cleethorpes

PS. how do you get your good lady to buy throwing shed loads of your money into a football club.........mine thinks you must have a screw loose!

I normally have a season ticket for my big-O birthdays, however this is now my fourth season running, I'm encouraged by the steady yet sure progress the club is making, I and my boy are hooked!!
After a quiet and frustrating June, things have certainly took a turn for the better. The club have shown ambition with some exciting and imaginative signings and have created a tremendous buzz and expectancy for the season, which is fast approaching. But........ I say, lets be realistic and look for a top ten finish as a positive step forward, let's not overstretch our imaginations, let's stay in the real-world. Promotion, although longed for, would be a step too far at this stage, as this once great team rebuilds for a real go in the premiership and not a one season up-and-down wonder! At this point I assume the majority of fans are pleased with the 'behind the scenes' during the close season, hind-sight can be a wonderful think, let's give the club our 100% support on the pitch, particularly if things don't klick immediately!! Lets not forget the basics of entertainment and competition on the pitch on a Saturday afternoon (or when ever!!) let's enjoy the football as we cheer our team on. Well done to all. Come on you Reds!!

Forest Greg / Lower Brian Clough

Hello all,
i just wanted to say how pleased i am that Anderson and Gunter have joined the club they both tried very hard last season and i hope i see it again!
I also wanted to say that i think we should be tring to buy or at lease loan Blackstock Lynch and Osbourne again !

thank you, Ben Shakespeare, 14

What a season we have to look forward to. Billy Davis truly has an eye for talent. I wonder if he would have stayed had we gone back down..? He is clearly a man with a mission, he want's to make a success of himself and he is doing that with forest. Let's back him all the way. Hail King Billy.

David England.
Skegness red since 1992

Haven't commented on here since I voiced concerns over the appointment of Billy Davies, which I'm happy to say have been proved unfounded in the main!
This message is to say a big well done to all those involved with this preseasons transfer activity, some great signings already and McKenna, Gunter and a highly rated Pole on the way! I genuinely think the club have sent out a message that this coming season we will be a major force in this division. Hoping to get to some more home matches to repay the hard work done by those at the club!

YOU MIGHTY REDDDDDDDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tom

To Adam - I think your second article puts your point over more constructively and I take your points. Though I think with reference to the BNP and thaibrides.com is a bit too strong.
You are so right about the French football league, I watch a fair bit of the Championet and their shirts have 3 or 4 sponsors and quite frankly look awful.
Thr French have had to go that way though to try and compete finacially as their league doesnt attract the same world wide attention as the premier leage, serie a, and also the coca cola championship.
When I first saw reverse shirts sponsors in this country ( I think sheff utd did it as well) my first thought was the legitimacy, I thought league rules stated the location and size of the sponsor.
It would have been great to have had an advert free shirt, but we havent and Victor Chandler have a very very good name within their industry, almost pioneering.
What it will bring us if nothing else is a higher profile amonst future sponsors.
Chander are the Mercedes, IBM, or Orange of the betting industry.
As i said before, i think Mark Arthur has done a terrific job in building brand image.
Credit where credit is due.
Finally, we cant always rely upon the wallet of ND we need to have a strong commercial edge.

cheers
david - exiled in d*rby

It's usually a sign of a poorly made argument when you have to re-explain yourself after making a point, but here goes anyway.
My objection to the choice of an internet gambling firm comes down to my own personal code. The point regarding acceptance of sponsors of other adult products by Forest - alcohol and credit cards - is well made. Legally, there is no difference. However, as you point out (and I did not realise when I sounded off), the powers that be have decreed that gambling firms may not advertise on children's clothes. So other people (in our "nanny state") share my view that there is a difference between some adult product and others. A moral, rather than a legal, line has been crossed with this new sponsor. I am sure that you can all think of other, legal, adult, products that you may not wish to see advertised on a football shirt… Or is it just about the money and if the BNP or Thaibrides.com can stump up the cash Nottingham Forest and its fans should count the money, shrug their shoulders and say, well, we can educate our children about this later?
As it happens, I am not that keen on alcohol or credit card sponsors and would take the Barcelona or Aston Villa route with a gesture sponsor. I heard that West Brom had their best selling shirt last year when they had no sponsor - maybe that would cut the financial hole from those choosing not to buy a shirt that advertised an internet gambling firm. To widen the point, we have all seen 'sponsor creep' over the past few years. Forest have the name on the back of their shirts now, while Burnley have theirs on the back of the shorts as well. French clubs' shirts look like a motor racing car. Will this trend come to English clubs soon?

I think that I may not win this argument, see you next season.

Adam Wilson

Hello Dave
I understand what you are saying mate, but i would have preferred to see local charities names on the shirt (i.e.) rainbows children's hospice and charities alike which would have seemed a better choice to give a better community bond to be proud of.
Yes we do see these advertisements all over the place and most of us dont take a blind bit of notice of them, but perhaps its just a taboo subject at the minute because the current finance problems some people are in, either way mate we have all got our own thoughts.
cheers mate and everyone

Phil of the Forest faithful

Just bin watching some video footage on Youtube on one of our potential signings-Radoslaw Majewski,he looks a great player, snap him up billy quick!! Also states on wikipedia that he will be joining forest on a seasons long loan so don't know how true that is but sounds pretty positive.

Paulo Brindelli, Nuneaton

Dear Adam Wilson -
I am rather intrigued about your email concerning out new shirt sponsor, citing the club as being disgusting.
I would like to ask you some quick questions.
Have your children ever worn a Forest shirt before and in your childhood did you?
Have you ever had a credit card?
Do you drink beer?
We have been sponsored by Home Ales, Shipstones and Labatts, did it cause you to go out and drink beer?
With the Capital one sponsor did you find an urge to get a credit card?
If you or your children had one of these shirts you would have also had the sponsor across the front of the shirt, please note that junior shirts will not have our new sponsor on it.
Furthermore, do your children use the Forest website, or watch sporting events on television. All have sponsorship from gambling companies.
In my opinion it gives you an opportunity to talk with your children and educate them, your comments are a little knee-jerk and similar to that of a nanny state.
Finally I would have liked to have seen Forest play without a sponsor (going back to the old days) but am delighted we have big international companies approaching us, it shows what a good brand name we are and indicates to the level of commercial success we can achieve when in the Premiership.
So a big well done to Mark Arthur in working hard to build a strong brand image.

from David exiled in D*rby

Hello everyone
Looking forward to the new season with some good signings hopefully we should move forward another notch.
I have got to say though i agree with P Davey and Adam Wilson, i have never heard of the sponsors either ( perhaps because i dont bet online, or offline) and with the current financial state some people are in, why should this sponsor be thrust in there face.
Also Mr Arthur said that the current deal is for one season and maybe carry on after that, so we are supposed to buy a new shirt with this sponsor on for this season and then if the deal doesn't carry we will then have to buy another shirt next season, I DONT THINK SO!!!!
I think there will be a few people in the same boat so perhaps we should boycott the new shirt in protest.
I dont think i am over reacting its just personal choice of spending 40 quid + a season on a not fantastic quality item or not.
ok the club have frozen the season ticket prices and then give us a double whammy shirt deal.
Cheers everyone have a good holiday.

cheers
Phil of the Forest faithful

Just trying to work out our remaining positional targets.
BD has always said 2 things.
He wants 2 players in each position and round pegs for round holes...

So we have 2 goalies - Camp and Smith
full back- Julian Bennet.
Centre mids -Cohen, Mcgugan and Moussi,
Wingers - Anderson, Mcleary, Davies.
Strikers - Already have 5,

I think we're in the market for 3 full backs, one centre midfielder, and a winger
Gunter, Lynch, Fox and Mckenna have all been strongly linked so assuming they come off it leaves us looking for a winger.
Whats you guess on that?

David exiled in Derby

Re: Pemberton leaving the club & the somewhat hysterical reaction by some, if the best defense of him (Duncan Peberdy) is that you give him credit for Dawson, Reid, Morgan, Perch & Lewis then since 2004 only Lewis has managed to come through the ranks. One decent prospect in 5 years..?
Let Billy do what he does best, sort out football clubs get them moving forward.

Stuart Annable
Swanwick

It's been a while since i left comment on here and said i wouldn't return to the club whilst still under the negative management of Mr Caulderwood and being the F.A Cup reply Vs Derby County my first game under Mr Davis i was very sceptical about the future of our beloved Reds.

But let me just say i am now very happy with the moves Billy Davis is making in the transfer market, but i was very happy with the moves Colin made at the same stage last season, now lets just wait and see if Billy can Gel this impressive and potent strike force with the rest of the squad and take the Reds back to where they belong!

Just for the record: Billy's transfer list,
CF Dele Adebola In
CF David McGoldrick In
MF Paul Anderson In
GK Lee Camp In

CF Dexter Blackstock (QPR) ?
CF Ched Evens (Manchester City) ?
MF Paul McKenna (Preston NE) ?
MF Gary McSheffrey (Birmingham City) ?
MF Isaiah Osbourne (Aston Villa) ?
DF Chris Gunter (Tottenham Hotspur) ?
DF Joel Lynch (Brighton & HA) ?

MF Lee Croft Miss (Derby County)
DF Rob Jones Miss (Scunthorpe Utd)

Lawrence Grugeon
Atherstone Red

How disgusting that Nottingham Forest's proud shirt will be disgraced with the name of internet gambling site. Having got us and our children used to advertising a credit card, we and our children can now be directed as to how to spend this money we don't have in one of the most dangerous ways possible. Our club has shamed itself with this deal. A "significant six figure sum" paid is not enough to buy one half-decent player, but is enough to drag our red shirts through the mud.

Adam Wilson

I just want to wish a good start to NFFC this season and get it back were it belongs.
Premiership is the place.I'm from Portugal but i like NFFC a lot.
Good luck to all plays and staff. I wish you a great season.

Nuno Freitas
Portugal

Well by the lights! Mr Arthur announces a mega buck sponsorship deal with a prestigious, blue chip brand. Victor who? Never heard of em. Typical spin from the master of mirrors and smoke.

I do like the signings though - well done Billy Davies.

P Davey
Bridgford

Some inspiring signings by BD, well Im happy with them anyway. However, I agree with many others that we now just need a strong defender and a good central midfielder. Now if we can get Paul McKenna, then that's the midfield sorted, but how about this for a signing..........Sol Campbell is available on a FREE from Portsmouth!! I know Newcastle and Boro have had a sniff but cant we make him ours? Built like a brick and one of the most experienced defenders in the business, he still has strength, insight and that will to win. A real bit of tenacity about him. But better hurry, he wont be FREE for long!!

Lee
North Yorkshire

Pleased with the signings so far, bit concerned about our defence, and want to see us sign a couple of quality defenders like Gunter, who gave his all when he played for us. With all the strikers we have signed so far, can't help thinking Tyson could be off?. Also does anyone know who are sponsors are going to be?, looking forward to the new Kit.
Come on you Redsssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!

Anthony
LONDON RED

Just to say, i was one of the first to say BD no way, i agree with fellow Reds great signings, but where are the couple of new defenders we really need,. Now that Breckin as been released wheres the old head at the back when needed, its looks like we can now score more, but we need to stop conceding as well, Come on Billy lets get Gunter.

Sandra King
North Wales Reds

For those old enough to remember we had another manager who had a keen eye for young talent and I think Mr Davis has shown his quality and astute managerial skill in picking the signings we have so far. Young Camp for me is the best of em. I watched him at Norwich when we beat em and I saw him pull off some saves of great quality. Forest always had a quality goalie and a sound defence, young men like Shelton and Viv Anderson helped us get to the highest levels of the game. Lets get behind the manager and these young men and make sure that we get where we really want to be back in the premiership and back in Europe.

Red til I die
Gibbo

Great signings leads to a lot of folk eating humble pie!
However, this back the City to host world cup games with a picture of the Brian Clough Stand of the City Ground is outrageous! We get the World Cup and the City Ground is GHOST !

Max Newton

This is more like it Forest! Well done to all concerned with the recent signings. Even a sceptical old cynic like me is starting to believe again.

Martin, Ireland

Looking forward to this season.
Great squad superb acquisitions.
' Pele ' Adebola ! what a great bit part player to have in your squad someone who can come on during a game and turn it in our favour.
It's been a long trek to get Mcgoldrick, what a fine prospect and with fans favourite Camp back in the fold it all makes for a special season ahead.
Congratulations to BD and the board

Mansfield Micky

Excellent news on the Camp deal. Daz is right we do still need 3 defenders. I agree his opinion on Wilson but I thought Chambers looked ok at centre back rather than full back. We should also be playing Perch at right back, then they are both in their favoured positions and I think good enough to do a job. Priority is a quality centre half though definitely. Things are starting to take shape nicely, good work!

Andrew Hepburn

I am amazed to read all the negativity. 4 quality signings in 4 days with a promise for more acquisitions over the next few days / weeks from both the Chairman and Manager. John Pemberton may be a casualty but Billy must be allowed to run the Club his way - he has a proven track record second to none and the confidence around the Club is superb.
Camp, McGoldrick, Adebola and Anderson are all quality signings and if you listen to their interviews they all chose Forest because of the momentum, ambition, the manager and the senior management at the Club. Give credit where credit is true - watch this space as a "Big" signing is imminent (Rumour not fact).
I was apprehensive when Billy was appointed, especially with the ex D*rby link, but then I remember a certain Brian Clough had been rather successful down the A52 and was even more successful at the City Ground.
My prediction is an outside chance of the play offs this season and promotion the year after.
I am more confident at the start of this season than in many many years - this is the start of something special and all the management are building the Club to go back to the Premiership - where we belong.

James, West Hallam.

hello everybody
what a week its been ! first mcgoldrick (sorry if i spelt his name wrong) then the return of paul anderson which was a fantastic deal!
then dele who will always score a goal at this level and now the saviour from last seasons derby lee camp well done bd and nd on capturing these .
lets just get a couple of defenders and dexter back and i think that this squad has what it takes to compete for at least a play off place !!!!!
come on u reds

jeff warks

I am from Cape Town, South Africa and have been a 'Forest' supporter for the best part of 30years. I visited the City ground for the first time in September 2007 and even though it is off season I again made a plan to be there in June 2009.I bought a few items at the club shop. What can I say, I just LOVE this club. FOREST FOREVER

John Welcome

Panic over? Who the heck was panicking?
Good signings so far (I think) and I'm very pleased to see Paul Anderson back. Gunter would be another good one. Both worked their socks off for us.
I'm not sure that we would have thought six strikers was too many last season. We were desperately short on far too many occasions and that contributed to the low final position. This season will be different - I wish I could have been able to renew.

David

Hi everyone
Well that has got to be it with the stricker signings surely??
We have a team of strickers have BD , ND forgot that we conceeded the second highest goals against last season.
Its no good signing all these strickers when we have no one to create openings for them and most of all no one in midfield to break up play a big mean ball winner in the center of the park thats what we need.
Apart from big Wes and Bennett our defence is shocking. Wilson ,chambers ,are not good enough at championship level this was proven last season.
As for Smith between the sticks is simply not good enough he makes far to many errors cannot command his area and just kicks the ball 75 yards up the pitch every time he gets it....
Three defenders two midfielders and a new goalkeeper and with training already starting time is running out...
Defence is the KEY in this division has we found out last season....

daz

I have been sitting back watching and listening and waitting to see what was to come out my beloved City Ground. And now its here the race is on. I see a squad building i see a managament team who has their sights set clearly on the future. I see an owner who once again is prepared to put his money were his mouth is and for that i thank you. But on a slight bad note i am not so sure about the signing of Adebola at the age of 34 is this going against the young squad mentality if this was the case should we have not kept Breks? I hear tonight we have CAMP great news now all we need is a couple of defenders and it will be job done....And when do the new shirts get put out for sale???????
The future is RED com on you REDSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

31year red nik

Well done for getting the four players on the wish-list. Still looking for Mckenna and Blackstock to bolster our chances next year. Just A Quick Message, if the chairman and the manager are working together to buy our players, why is David Pleat still getting our money to commentate on games?

B Block Red.
Season Ticket Holder

Useful signings so far. Dexter Blackstock, with a couple of defenders and a goalie, say Lee Camp, to be signing sometime soon?

Red Ted

It's my first ever post here, but I just want to congratulate BD on the signings of Adebola, McGoldrick and particularly Anderson, who is a real bargain at that price; though I am sure the transfer deal must include some kind of sell-on clause.
I would also like to express a little trepidation at the signing of two strikers in addition to the three already in out squad. Does this mean that we will not be seeing Dexter Blackstock in a Forest shirt next season? The guy really seemed to give his all on loan last term, and could be singled out as one of the major reasons we are still in the Championship. I certainly think he would have been a better signing than Adebola, and probably McGoldrick as well, though I admit that I am not so familiar with the former Saint. I somewhat think that a sixth striker (Blackstock) is now looking a little surplus to requirement when it seems clear to all that the likes of Lee Camp, Chris Gunter, a good centre-half and good holding midfielder should be BD's priorities for the rest of the summer. Let's just hope that he has the resources to fill all of these posts!

Chris Brighton
Letchworth Red

Message for Billy and the chairman well done for getting Anderson to sign, and at a good price.
I've said already on this site, its really important that we get players who love the club as much as the fans.
Gunter has informed the press he is desperate to join Nottingham Forest, I hope he's next to be recruited.
I would like to see some more quality defenders joining us before the season starts. I have every faith in Billy our Manager and hope other supporters who have been critical can now stop being impatient and negative and finally support him.

Anthony Red 4 Life

I hope the other two new additions don't overshadow the signing of Paul Anderson. What a fantastic signing - I had assumed from the press speculation that we had missed out. If ever there was a player who had proved himself worthy, he had a great season for us last season and provides us with a completely different dimension in terms of width and his ability to run at defenders. He's a great player to watch and a real prospect. I'm not in the habit of saying this on this forum but credit where it is due 'Well done Billy!'

Red Ted Junior

Well I've been amused by the comments on here about no transfer activity and peoples impatience. David upper Trent end was very right when he posted quite a while ago about there having been very few transfers in the league at all. Anyway I particularly laughed at a sentence that had Adebola mentioned with the likes of Lennon and Cole, really what planet are some people on, like he's in the same wage bracket? Hilarious! Thanks for brightening my day up in the office.
Well teams are now starting to announce signings and so far I'm happy at Anderson, McGoldrick and even Adebola coming on board. Living in Bristol I've seen City play quiet a few times and he will do a job for us giving us a physical presence when needed. Hopefully a keeper and some defenders will be next, although preferably not Lynch as I don't rate him at all from what I've seen. Roll on more announcements.

Andrew.
Bristol Red

Panic over people. Three signings (so far) is better than nothing and I think with everything that has been said and done (that includes me!), things are moving along nicely.

Rowen Udell.

Watching Springstein last night at Glastonbury, Is was proud to see at least two Forest flags at the front. Also after July 1st we'll see a few new players coming in to be proud of.

Gary (up North).

I may have been a little eager on my last visit on the forum when I said I was pleased with the activity with regards to signings. I am now a little worried as my positive comments are fading away and are giving way to a more less than positive perspective.
It seems every player we are interested in the club is not keen to either sell to Forest or to sell period. Are Doncaster really in a position to bat away two million quid? Surely no club can afford to do so in the present climate, especially a club like Doncaster Rovers. You can understand wanting to keep your players but with Forest being only too used to this in the past you cannot turn down offers that are just too good to miss. Forest would relate to letting go players who they would want to keep but cannot afford to turn down an offer at the right price. There are not too many players at this level that are worth any more than what Forest are offering so the clubs we are enquiring to might as well just cash in while they can. It's nearly July and we just need to sign some players, and fast.

Rowen Udell.

In response to David Upper Trent, and his comments indicating that Forest Press room have done things right, and have not announced there transfer targets unlike other clubs etc etc. I would like too refer him to review the latest news section on http://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk and ask him to look at Friday 8th May 2009 at an article titled "Billy's targets" where, on our own official website, we announce we are targeting the following players specifically by name: Isaiah Osbourne, Joel Lynch, Paul Anderson, Gary McSheffrey, Dexter Blackstock, Chris Gunter, and Lee Camp.
So to David, and everyone else who is having a dig at fans voicing there concerns at the lack of activity, it is not us being unrealistic, it is not us looking for something to moan about, and it is not our blinkered or dated view of Forest as a big club.... it is our reaction to Nottingham Forest Football Club, once again, hyping up our "ambition" "commitment" and "potential" simply in order to sell season tickets, when either a) we have no intention or b) we are not capable of delivering on these statements.
7 players named, 7 weeks have passed, 0 players signed.
I, like Mike Wood, would LOVE to be proved wrong, and would happily eat humble pie, but I am not convinced we will be pleasantly surprised in the transfer market this summer.
Finally to expand on the points made by people like Phil Poole, Dave Darkly, Daz, Kendo Skegby, regarding the NEED for 4/5 players, I fear even this may not be enough to meet our ambitions, we had 7 loan players at the end of the season that thankfully helped us to just scrap survival, thats 7! With that, and many of our young players released or sent out on loan, we now have a very thin squad that with the best will in the world has proved to us is not good enough to successfully compete at this level, with only a week or two until pre season, and only 7 weeks until the season begins, I fear we will again be left drastically short, and will again be exposed and struggling by Christmas.

Andy Walker
DESPERATE TO BE PROVED WRONG!

Can we please extend the net in our current player search outside of players we've played against in recent years, if we intend to make some real inroads into improving our beloved club then we need to start getting smarter and start appointing some full time European scouts. I'd love to see Forest appoint a full time Scandinavian scout, with the Swedish U 21's reaching the semi's of the euros and the vast amount of potential available talent who are all English speaking and are naturally suited to the fast paced English game. The younger Swedish lads and even Finish, Danish, Norwegian home grown players can be picked up for a bargain especially when you consider the ridiculous prices of young British players!! Just look at Johnson's £17m move to Liverpool, I know its a different planet to where we'd be shopping but I somehow doubt the Swedish U-21 right back would even break the £500k mark. I think we've been too short sighted in our transfer targets in recent years; the Moussi signing is the only one that has been reasonably successful in recent years.
We shouldn't keep targeting the same limited overpriced championship players for all of our business; need to mix it up a bit!! It's fair enough to do 75% of your business at home but I feel to get real bargains and to unearth a real pool of talent then we should expand into an affordable and proven destination which has had success across English football such as Scandinavia. The lad Marcus Berg who's scored a hat rick playing for Sweden U-21's whose at Groningen is now a £10m target for a host of European clubs, he apparently scored three hat tricks in the Dutch league this year, so clearly Groningen policy of raiding the Swedish league is paying massive dividends. When we consider the haggling and bargaining going on for the likes of Mills and McKenna plus every other Championship club sniffing after them just makes it more pricey and arduous to acquire these players. Surely employing a full time Forest Scandinavian scout would pay for itself in no time,
Lets get smarter and not get stuck in transfer wrangles over CCC players who are being targeted by everyone else driving up their value, for example although I rate Camp - I wouldn't go to £1m+, nor would I pay £2.5m for Mills or even £1m+ for McKenna, whilst these are all decent players, we should be prepared to have a network built up. Sure Moussi only cost us £400k, if he was a young English player plying his trade in the premiership reserves or the championship then he'd have cost £2m+. I know Billy is a shrewd cookie so I expect things will improve in this area in comparison to the past, but as soon as we start improving these networks we will see some sustainable improvements that can only benefit us enormously in the future.

Forestlen

I'd just like to mention that Robert Earnshaws signing was announced on 30/05/2008. We had most of our signings bedded in by the time season tickets were renewed. The July 1st date is only relevant to players who are contracted to their current clubs until that date and no transfer fee has been paid to release them from their contractual obligations until then. In our case that only applies to Adebola, who we know has signed a pre-contract but can't be unveiled until 1st July. These are the terms under the Bosman ruling. Just to clear matters up, the transfer window officially opened on the last day of the season. This is why Barry & RS Cruz have signed for City, Kaka & Ronaldo for Real etc. With the deadline for season ticket renewals fast approaching, it would make no sense what-so-ever to keep the fans in the dark over transfer. The facts are that we don't appear to have agreed fee's with the clubs that we're negotiating with. Billy Davies has made it clear who his targets are. We all know who he wants, but whether or not he gets them is down to Dougherty and his transfer policies. No one can blame ND for not wanting to blow his cash but his caution is actually pretty unhelpful and downright frustrating for the fans when you consider the promises that have been made. I don't think we are being unreasonable as supporters. We have been told that the ambition of the club is the Premier and that the resources for getting there are available. The expectations we have are that we'll be competing at the other end of the table this year, not because we feel that we should be, but because the line we have been given is that we've got the best manager with the overwhelming support of an owner who has a passion for the club and deep pockets to boot. This is why when we read about Blackstock and Gunter being linked with Newcastle, and Anderson wanting to join Swansea it feels like such a kick in the teeth. It's why when we read that we're unwilling to budge over a couple of hundred thousand pounds to secure a top target like Mckenna, Mills, Jones or Barker it feels like another broken promise. I can accept that the transfer process is complex and can take time, but last January we demonstrated a hapless ability to get things done and if it wasn't for the surprise, but brilliant loan additions of Blackstock and Gunter, we would probably be denouncing the cub now for it's incompetence rather than looking ahead at a perhaps brighter future. I would like to think that lessons had been learned and things were different now, but I'm yet to be convinced.

David Painter

Whilst it would great to be discussing a clutch of signings, you need to remember that football today more than ever is a business.
Signings won't be announced until a new shirt sponsor, and new kit have been unveiled.
A new sponsor will be ploughing their cash into the club and rightly want to see their logo on the new club shirt being worn by the latest signing.
So cool your jets and bide your time and it will all fall into place.
Enjoy your summer without panicking all will be revealed soon.....................................................

Brian "Exiled by the sea" Harvey
Brighton

Patience lads,most players contracts are not up until the first of july.
I think we will see some action then.You know what the score is, Forest wont(and I dont blame them) pay wages unecessarily and of course theres the Marketing strategy which will see a sharp uptake of new season ticket applications when and if new players are signed.
Season ticket sales are in excess of this time last year,so any business would react and operate in the same way,these days its all about money I am afraid.
I will say this though that if we dont bag at least four new players by mid July,we will once again struggle,it proved it before the loanees came in.Give them until then.I think we have some shrewd operators at the City Ground,so please have a little patience and worry more about raising the roof with Mull of Kintyre at our first home match.

Kendo Skegby

I felt compelled to reply to David (Trent Upper). We are not all doom and gloom merchants, but passionate about Forest and are realistic that our current squad, unless strengthened considerably will get relegated. It made me chuckle about you saying Forest do their business in the right way, and not in the press. We dont need the press or rumour mills to tell us who Forest are trying to sign - we have been told this by the club or the players themselves, and it comproses of the loan players and Adebola, Mills, Barker etc. The club said they wanted to get the new players in asap, and this has not happened so what reasons do we have to think they are well on the way with new signings. The last we all heard, was that bids had been lodged and rejected followed by silence. On the back of this news the club announces great season ticket sales... call me cynical! I really hope i have got this completely wrong and look stupid as new signings come thick and fast, but going on last season and previous seasons, im not convinced. This is a chance for us to voice our concerns and have a healthy debate - clearly one of us is going to be wrong, i really hope it is me!

Mike Wood
Cheshire

Talk Talk Talk thats all i have heard since the dismal season ended!!!!!
New signings promised all i have seen is a washed out 30+ stricker signed from Bristol City ,have the club learnt nothing after the N Lennon and Andy Cole boo boos,which cost our club massive wage bills!!!!
All this talk of signing new players is just to get more season tickets sold its a tatic all clubs use.
After looking at the opening fixtures the first 2 months games are the hardest i have seen since we were in the top flight, if Forest do not SIGN at least 5 new players then we will be relagated at christmas because the squad we have now is NOT GOOD ENOUGH at championship level.
LOANING players is not the answer ND has got to get his hand in to his pocket and spend some of that 300 million on HIS club....
Charging high admission prices we as supporters DEMAND RESULTS and investment into our club.
I have supported Forest for over 35 years and what i see now is fat cat directors snaching every last penny out of our club to line their pockets.....
I will keep my eye on the signings before i part with my hard earned cash , because if they think i am paying over £500 for me and my son to watch this current squad of players get hammered next season then THINK AGAIN ND!!!!

daz

The doom and gloom attitude of some elements of the Forest fans beggars belief. At the time of writing there have been a total of 13 transfers in to clubs in the Championship and 10 clubs (other than Forest) have not made public any signings. How many of the myriad of the "done deals" one reads about on various websites have actually come from the press room at Forest - NONE. How many bids have been confirmed by Forest - NONE. What this should tell fans is that the management at Forest, unlike their counterparts and Preston and Doncaster, do business in the right way and this does not include running to the press every 5 minutes. There should be no doubt in anyone's mind that Billy Davies, Mr Arthur and everyone else involved in finding, making offers and discussing terms with potential signing, have worked hard to get what is felt best for the team. Have faith and don't believe everything you read in the papers and gossip sites because 90% is made up 9% guess work and maybe 1% possibly accurate.

David
Trent End Upper
I was very sorry to see the club lose a very good servant in John Pemberton. As mere fans we are unlikely to find out the ins and outs of the issues.. if there were any.
After managing to hold on to our Championship status last season Billy Davies and the Chairman was full of words about getting 'the right kind if player' to join us.
It's a good job nobody held there breathe, we've heard all this stuff before, but now the manager has to start putting faces where his (and the chairman's) mouth has been. Where are the players we desperately need. Is it still the tight fisted 'those players aren't worth that money' or is that we can't even entice players from Doncaster Rovers!!

Colin W
From Bristol

I think we have genuine reason to be concerned at the moment. Trawling through the websites for nuggets of information regarding Forests transfer activity this summer has become something of an obsession in recent weeks. There has been a lot of speculation but as yet not a lot of it has materialised. I'm particularly worried because as it stands, our current squad will, in my opinion, without doubt be relegated. We're not looking at fine tuning or tweaking here. We need a massive recruitment drive if we're going to avoid disaster. Our squad is substantially weaker now than at the same point last season. Minus our loan players we are very short on championship quality in every department. This is the reality of the situation. The only reason we have to hope for a better season next year is based upon the optimism of Billy Davies and speculation in the papers as to who we're trying to sign and how much money we may or may not have to spend. This however is nothing new. It seems highly unlikely that Dougherty has sanctioned a transfer kitty of £20 million because as it stands we are struggling to meet the valuation of the players we are chasing. We won't even pay £1m for Paul Mckenna and he's supposed to be one of our top targets! If we lose out on players like Blackstock and Gunter, both of whom have virtually begged us to sign them, it will be a sure sign in my eyes of where the ambition of this club is really at. Earnshaw signed for us by May 30th last year most of CCs squad was bedded in by the time preseason got under way. Preseason training has already begun for many clubs. We are in a far from ideal situation at the moment and our hesitancy in the transfer window will be our downfall if we're not careful. Some of our targets have already attracted other suitors and this is only going to drive their valuation up.
On another note, sure it's sad that John Pembertons leaving, almost like the end of an era - (although a particularly bad one if memory serves me). However, I really think that this is a bit of a non-issue. I mean, what is the point in having a kick-ass reserve side when the first teams rubbish? I guess we could pretend that the reserve league actually means something if it masks our mediocracy. This is football however, things change and people move on. This is the way it is and the way it has to be for clubs and individuals to grow. 10 years is a long time and I think JP achieved everything he was ever going to with this club. It amuses me that some people on here would try and make some kind of martyr out of the guy. It's like they knew him personally or something. I guess some folk can't handle change that well.

Davedarkly

Having just returned from a week away without email and the internet, I eagerly logged on to the Forest site this morning to see our forthcoming fixtures and discover which new players have so far been signed. Instead, I read about sacking dressed up as "mutual consent."
Losing John Pemberton is the single biggest mistake Mr Doughty, Mr Arthur and Mr Davies will make in their respective Forest careers.
To lose the experience that must have been gained by working alongside Paul Hart, Dave Bassett, and dare I even suggest Gary Megson - who I have no time for whatsoever - is a shameful and shallow move - one that will affect the club long after Mr Davies has been sacked.
Pemberton's results with the reserve team - for once a blend of youth and experience - had been outstanding, and two of this season's defeats occurred in games since BD took over, when none of the 'senior players' were made available.
I also remember the interview on Match of the Day after the victory at Man City in January. Just like Mr Calderwood before him, Pemberton exuded a dignified handling of the media.
More than ever I am now fearful of the way that I see our club slowly being dismantled. To many outside of our club, perhaps Pemberton would not have seemed ready for first team management in the Championship, but I would have been far more supportive of giving a loyal member of the club's staff an opportunity - with an excellent track record with the youth teams and reserves - than to have taken a gambol on an manager that is happy to air his dirty washing in public and had consequently been unemployed for the previous 15 or so months.
Shame on Forest.
I feel so let down by the Chairman and the Chief-Executive that I have not even bothered to look at our fixtures for next season. I was going to renew my season tickets this week, but now don't feel inclined to do so either. (My bother-in-laws season ticket at Watford has been reduced by £80 - with the VAT decrease, ours have effectively risen by 2.5%)
I look forward to hearing where Pemberton is employed next; any intelligent club that looks at his track record will soon offer him employment. I wish him much luck, and thank him for helping to deliver so much young talent into the first team over the past years; just think of Dawson, Jenas, Reid, Morgan, Perch, and McGuigan, amongst many others who he has helped to develop.
One saving grace to bear in mind is that the club should be bigger than January's ill-judged appointment, and this even more ill-judged decision.

Yours
Duncan Peberdy

Having read all the articles about John Pemberton and youth I recall a recent NEP article with quotes from Billy Davies about the llikes of Brendan Maloney, Matt Thornhill, Mark Byrne and James Reid all going out on loan.
Why would we want to do this unless BD doesn't rate them. Whilst the club desires success it also has a philosophy to play its best young players and then sell them for a few million quid to support the clubs finances. How are the club going to achieve this by sending these young lads on loan to lesser teams? If one or two of these are goood enough then they should be playing. We have seen mediocre players come and go and still be here who are not as good as these young lads so I see no reason why BD and ND should continue splashing out on average players. Unlesss that is ND is really going to push the boat out with £10 milliion plus support for BD.
I read from fellow fans on this site that BD has followed the same path at is previous clubs, getting rid of the reserves, disregarding youth, and then leaving after 2 years. I hope he has changed a bit and bought into our successful youth system mixed together his own ideas and has a long term strategy this time.
I am sure by the way that we will see quite a few new players on board soon - just hope the quality is good and not all route one journeymen.

Alans Johns

I am a lifelong forest fan, and i've got to say how sad and disappointed iam to read the fans section of the forest website. The recent comments from numerous 'so called' fans sum up whats wrong currently at the club and why players seem to be struggling at home. You have to read for a fair while, to find even one positive comment. Whats wrong with these people. We have a manager who took over a shambles of a team, from Calderwood, who politally as possible, shouldn't be managing a Sunday league side, and saved them from the drop. Would people have been cheering BD if he had played attractive football and got us relegated? He has probably the best record of any current manager in this division, and still fans can't be optomistic. Give the guy a chance. It seems as if fans are disgusted before even a ball is kicked, and even before the transfer season has started!
I for one think that BD will do the job for us. Top ten finish this year, and promotion the year after (3 years tops), and after having dud manager after dud manager, i think the least the fans should do is give one guy an extended run of support.
As for the team, again i am with Davis. He correctly spotted that our forwards don't work together and need a big guy up front to hold the ball, he also correctly spotted that our centre backs are pedestrian at best and can't pick up in the box. New guys are welcome. Add a couple of midfielders to the mix and i think we'll be 1000% better than last year.
Forest fans should be happy with progress and a glimmer of hope, not lamenting over staff and systems that have kept us in the wilderness for the last ten years or more. Dawson, Reid and co? What did they do to make us a premier outfit? play a couple of seasons and then jump ship? BD is the answer and i look forward to the humble pie being eaten by many in the not too distant future.

Mike

About 4 weeks ago i was thinking great... got some really good players in on loan, quite a few are desperate to come back this year on loan or on perm deals as well as the other players we have supposedly put bids in for. 4 weeks later its so deflating to hear all of the players we were linked with being mentioned with other clubs, and it seems like the same old process. Forest leave their transfer activity to the last minute, in a sense of misplaced arrogance lodge some last minute bids that are rejected by their respective clubs, and Forest end up with no signings of note, and rely on the last minute rush of loanees to plug the obvious gaps. What happened to this aparent list of targets that BD wanted to bring in early to get them gelled into the team with a decent preseason behind them to kick off the season. I dont blame BD, but something clearly isn't working... constantly not getting the players we are linked with can only mean we are not offering market rate for them. If we CAN'T afford market rate, tell the fans and concentrate on lesser signings (and prepare for league one) but with the 2.5% season ticket increase (well spotted Roland Hall) someone is having a laugh at our expense. We're constantly forking out, on the back of transfer target tittle tattle from the club, and left disappointed and angry that with the lack of transparency, as it seems transfer targets are mentioned simply to get us to renew season tickets as time and again these targets do not materialise.
Just when will something good happen at this club? I cant ever criticise ND for what he consistently does for the club, but someone at the top has got things very wrong, it would be so nice to have regular updates from the club, and someone who would read these pages, take on board the collective feelings from the fans and if patterns emerge about concerns or ill feelings use this site to speak to the fans (a simply note to say they are on top of things and trying hard would suffice), ... but i doubt it.
Think BD is one of the best things to happen to this club in a long time but he's not going to suffer in silence if he doesnt get the support with signing the players he identifies... I for one wouldnt blame him at all if he though "sack this for a laugh, i'm off to a proper club who puts their money where their mouth is"...
I was optomistic about this season, im now slowly dreading it.

A very unhappy red
Mike Wood
Cheshire

Today is Saturday the 20th of June. It is exactly 7 weeks tommorow since we played our 2008-2009 seasons final game against Southampton. A game in which we not only felt elated to have survived in the Championship but one where we were left looking forward to the promise of an exiting future. It is exactly 7 weeks today when the next season kicks off with that adrenalin feeling creeping in at the thoughts of what might be. Will we be champions? Will we get the dreamed of promotion as runners up or play off victors? Will we finish in the top half, the bottom half or will we be relegated and have all of our dreams anhilated? Who knows? Certainly not me, but this is what it is all about, the excitement of the uncertainty.
Yes it's the uncertainty that has me worried and I supect that all Forest lovers feel the same. Very soon after the season was over we were promised at least six new faces, with many of them being named. Where are they? It is not long now before the players are all back for pre-season training, in fact it is only 21 days before the first friendly against Sporting Lisbon. The idea of the pre-season training is to regain fitness, for all the problems and tactics to be sorted out, for the new players to learn gel in with those remaining and to create a squad that is fit to challenge the other hopeful teams for the title of Championship Champions. Seven weeks to the kick off, my God, seven weeks and the only changes made are those related to the sacking of players and coaching staff. What are we going to do? The only hint of anyone signing is one chap who will be here to supplement his forthcoming old age pension. We sacked a good player and servant because he was too old, to bring in a player who is only one year younger. Makes sense doesn't it? Nearly all the players on the wanted list are now being linked with other clubs and I fear we will end up with loanees fighting relegation. If a move is not made immediately, I forsee great troubles ahead for our so called selection committee. We fans will not tollerate any more procrastination. We need to see action of the right kind, not the apparent actions of a dithering board. If Nigel is not able to come up with the cash that he has promised due to market changes then he must find another way of raising the cash, if he is to remain in his current position as chairman. We all know that he is the ultimate Forest fan and hopefully he will make the right moves to ensure that this club has a future amongst this country elite.
Nigel has given Billy Davies a greater role by allowing him to sack John Pemberton, his only serious competition. The reasons behind this are not for me to guess at but it gives me some hope that if Nigel is showing Billy so much trust, then he will be giving him some greater control in making the necessary required purchases, instead of leaving it to those that have already demonstrated their incompetence in this side of the game.
Here is looking forward to success in the transfer market and even greater success in next seasons fight for promotion.

Philip Poole (Sutton in Ashfield)

I have read with interest comments over the last two years on this site and have never felt the urge to write because emotions run high on football matters especially when things do not go so well. Last year i found it disturbing that people thought we were honestly going to do well and especially those who thought Andy Cole was a great signing and the defence would cope in the Championship. The latter was down to Coln Calderwood's stupidity and cost him his job because he thought the defence was good enough. This year I am surprised none of the players we took on loan have put pen to paper yet, especially when a majority have expressed a desire to return to us. A couple of things coming out of the club are worrying. Firstly, the dismissal of John Pemberton. The best football this club has played since being relegated from the Premiership was witnessed at Manchester City when he was in charge and played with youngsters.Billy Davies was at Manchester City and witnessed this but never put out the same team again for the rest of the season. Secondly, Billy Davies questions Paul Anderson's desire and committment. The lad never shirked his duties, came back and tackled, showed plenty of desire, and came back early from a dreadful injury against Derby. The truth of the matter, and I hope I am wrong, is that Forest will not pay the wage demands of Blackstock, Anderson, Gunter (definetly wants to come here on loan) and maybe Camp. I don't get carried away by Lee Camp as he can not hold down a first team place at QPR or Derby. I remember too well that everybody thought Alan Rogers and Andy Impey deserved to be signed on for keeping us up and once they signed they both badly let us down. I fear Camp could fall into the same category and he did miss the cross that led to Chris Cohen's goal. The defence is a big problem and it is not just down to Paul Smith hesitency. Our defenders were just as guilty at not clearing the danger balls into the area or picking up unmarked players. Billy Davies said he wanted all his targets signed on before training starts. At the moment he is cutting it fine or is he being let down by the people in charge? Why do we announce who we are after in the press? Years ago we kept quiet so as not to alert our competitors and new players were only announced once signed. Today we are up front in the media which alerts our biggest rivals Derby & Leicester. Out the three of us, who really has the biggest spending power? Please Forest, put us all out our misery and sign the intended targets or come clean as to what our realistic ambitions are so the fans do not have false hope and come to accept exactly what we have to offer. We will still get behind the team and probably people won't get on certain players backs if we generally can not afford replacements.

Tom O'Dea (Reds fan 43 years)

I too am sad and angry at John Pemberton's treatment at the hands of Billy Davies and the Forest powers-that-be. He has made an outstanding contribution to Forest - youth academy, reserves and the two memorable performances in charge of the first 11 - for about 12 years and surely deserves better that this. Well, what goes around comes around as they say! In the meantime a big thank you to Pembo and best wishes for the future. I'm sure it wont be long until he's snapped up and gets the position his record deserves.

Graham Lamont
Edinburgh

Very good points made about the dismantling of the staff/youth policy. I think we are right to be concerned. There is no real need for managers to bring a massive entourage to clubs putting hard working, loyal people out of work. You have to question why anyone would want someone like John Pemberton to go. It is certainly a concern that BD needs to prove who's in charge to this extent. You can certainly foresee a hot headed Davies walking out at some point when things don't go his way.
We would maybe see the logic of sweeping changes if this was a proven manager synonymous with a management particular style, for example no one minds Capello's eccentricities because we know at the end of the day that he's a proven winner. As I have said on many occasions, despite our relief at staying up - BD hasn't proved anything yet.. Let's hope this bulldozer approach pays off because if it doesn't we are back further than square one.

Red Ted Junior

Firstly I am disgusted to see that John Pemberton has left the club. Worked wonders with the youth squad and deserves to be treated a whole lot better than this. I wish him well wherever he lands up and as per usual it's our lossbut some other clubs gain.
The close season has an all to familiar ring to it.
Season ticket renewal time again. The promises of activity in the transfer market, funds made available and numerous players bid for, but as per usual us supporters have been cooned out of our hard earn't cash because no significant signings have yet to arrive. Just typical of this club selling it's supporters short yet again.
On another note which emphasises how this club treats it's supporters. I run a kids football team in Nottingham and approached Forest and our neighbours across the trent to ask fo a donation towards the raffle prices at our presentation evening.Nothing much an autographed football or shirt, something that could raise a few quid for the club and bring in much needed funds.
I was totally disgusted in my so called beloved team, in no uncertain terms they did not want to know and the email I received was rather blunt. On the other hand Notts County went out of their way to accomondate me. I was offered two signed shirts and free tickets for a game next season. This from a club who is currently short of funds.
I felt let down by the club I have supported since a kid and find the clubs attitutde disgraceful


Phil Parr
Carlton 
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