"Deadwood" - January sales

[Animal is a Ram]

Bradley Johnson starting to rediscover some form, and you want to sell? Especially on the proviso that Thorne stays fit?

[brady1993]

6 minutes ago, RamsPolls said:

I agree with all them but Anya, I know you've said he can prove himself in the lead up to January but I feel he has done enough to prove himself already. 

Got a great attitude and great work rate, Just needs to add goals to his games and he's top quality. People will say that Russell is just the same and I want Russell gone but Russell has been here many seasons now and hasn't improved his game one bit. If anything he has got worse. So time to get rid for Johnny but Anya can be top quality if he improves his final 3rd game.

I mean I'm only saying sell if we get a decent offer AND have a much better replacement. However out of the two I'd much rather keep Russell. He's younger and much more of a goal threat (he has consistently outscored Anya over the seasons). During his time here so far, Anya has very frequently wasted good attacking positions because the only thing on his mind is crossing the ball and his crosses are always essentially lobbed chips into the box that are easy to defend against. You say Anya could be top quality if he improves his final third game, which is true but I just don't see it happening to the extent we would need it too.

[tomsdubs]

1 minute ago, cannable said:

Spoilt? It's about getting the right fit… something we've been incapable of doing for the last two years.

Don't go along with that at all. Getting the right attitude and desire behind the players is more important and that is why Mel brought Steve back. Johnson looks like a different player now he's allowed to get the ball forward quickly. People act like players can only do one specific style of play which is a load of ******** IMO.

[WhiteHorseRam]

Don't sign Swearengen whatever you do ..... loads of red cards

[cannable]

6 minutes ago, tomsdubs said:

Don't go along with that at all. Getting the right attitude and desire behind the players is more important and that is why Mel brought Steve back. Johnson looks like a different player now he's allowed to get the ball forward quickly. People act like players can only do one specific style of play which is a load of ******** IMO.

Is it any coincidence that we didn't control the game when we had two players in Johnson and Hanson who had passing accuracies >75%? Will attitude and desire alter Bradley Johnson's career trend of a 75% pass accuracy? 

[tomsdubs]

1 minute ago, cannable said:

Is it any coincidence that we didn't control the game when we had two players in Johnson and Hanson who had passing accuracies >75%? Will attitude and desire alter Bradley Johnson's career trend of a 75% pass accuracy? 

Or was  it a team adapting to a new style up against a well drilled promotion contention side? Hanson was a passenger for large parts of that game. If I recall the score was 2-0 to us.

[cannable]

2 minutes ago, tomsdubs said:

Or was  it a team adapting to a new style up against a well drilled promotion contention side? Hanson was a passenger for large parts of that game. If I recall the score was 2-0 to us.

And as McClaren has said… we're nowhere near where we want to be.

[RadioactiveWaste]

I think a more subtle factor might be the group dynamic/squad spirit etc, people love a bad apples roumor n all. 

It might worth shifting out a good player who generally brings moral down...

[brady1993]

8 minutes ago, Animal is a Ram said:

Bradley Johnson starting to rediscover some form, and you want to sell? Especially on the proviso that Thorne stays fit?

I thought that someone would pick up on that. Understand that I like Johnson, think he's been doing a good job and wouldn't be transfer listing him or anything like that. However I would entertain a good offer and I will explain my thinking a little. 

For me Johnson isn't in our first choice midfield three because with everyone fit, he'd be second choice as DM (and isn't specialised for that position) and fourth choice for the other two spots because of his technical deficiencies and his ball retention not being good enough for how we want to play. Given that he is 30, unlikely to improve much, is likely on high wages and what I've mentioned previously I would listen if a good offer came in for him because in the scenario that Thorne is over his leg break it would be best for all parties if he moved on (for a good fee). I'd then look at bringing in a specialist CDM to cover Thorne.

[brady1993]

9 minutes ago, tomsdubs said:

Or was  it a team adapting to a new style up against a well drilled promotion contention side? Hanson was a passenger for large parts of that game. If I recall the score was 2-0 to us.

The problem is that Johnson ball retention at it's absolute best, which isn't good enough long term for a team that wants to play how we do. You are right that Hanson was the bigger problem though.

[tomsdubs]

3 minutes ago, brady1993 said:

The problem is that Johnson ball retention at it's absolute best, which isn't good enough long term for a team that wants to play how we do. 

Makes you wonder how he got promoted and played a Prem season before hey? They must have just felt sorry for him.

Correction: 3 Prem seasons and nearly 100 apps.

[brady1993]

2 minutes ago, tomsdubs said:

Makes you wonder how he got promoted and played a Prem season before hey? They must have just felt sorry for him.

You realise the reasons why Norwich sold him to us are the exact reasons I've stated in my response to @Animal is a Ram ? 

[mumblemumble]

3 hours ago, RamsPolls said:

My January business would go as follows - 

Chris Martin (depending on Fulham) - If Fulham decide to pay the reported £9m fee and we don't have the decision to stop him leaving. I would bring in Britt Assombalonga. Like I've said before, Forest could be in a relegation battle this year. We could tempt him away from Forest for the right price.

Darren Bent - (SELL) - As much as I like the guy, and he played fairly well on Saturday. He just won't score the goals he used to. Not sure why he has changed but when he was on loan here he was goal poaching and scoring for fun, But now he can't even score within the six yard box. I'm sure some championship club will take him for around £1m. I am not entirely sure who to replace Bent with. Possibly Peter Crouch? Not sure at all. 

Johnny Russell - (SELL) - Not a huge fan of Russell. He puts the effort in but he just doesn't have the quality to be a top championship winger. He had a great start to his career in Derby but has faded on the goal scoring front for some seasons now and barely even gets any assists. I remember when we had the chance to straight swap Matt Ritchie for Johnny Russell and I was one of the fans who said to keep him but boy do I regret that now. Matt Ritchie has developed into one the most dangerous wingers in the league and Russell has got worse if anything, And while we have Anya and Camara on the bench I don't think Russell should be starting. I would bring in Callum Mcmanaman from WBA to replace him, Mcmanaman has the work rate but is also very good at this level with goals and quality in the final 3rd in his game. 

I can't really think of anyone who should be shipped out other than Chris Baird but he won't be of interest to anyone in this league unless Fulham want their Bairdinho back. 

Now I know this is very unlikely all 3 of them players will be sold and all replaced but think of it as individual targets. If we get one over the line then we could seriously improve our squad. But like Craig Ramage said on RD, expect 3 or 4 incomings from McClaren to improve this team to the way he wants it.

I wouldn't refer to Chris Martin as deadwood...

Nobody would buy Darren Bent

Johnny Russell had his best season under McClaren, why would you sell him?

[mumblemumble]

3 hours ago, RamsPolls said:

Weimann? I can see where you're coming from as he clearly isn't in McClaren's plans. But I would like to see him have a run of games, Clearly is the one for trying but hasn't played more than 3/4 games in a row yet. 

Clearly not in his plans - He's been injured FFS

[mumblemumble]

2 hours ago, RamsPolls said:

Apparently there is a buy out clause in that contract I saw some Forest fans saying. Not sure how much it is but I'm sure players have left the following window to signing a contract. Most clubs just give them a contract to bump up their price.

Must be true then - Why would you sell Chris Martin and buy Assombalonga who is a similar player to Vydra?

[brady1993]

Just now, mumblemumble said:

Clearly not in his plans - He's been injured FFS

Has he ? Because I thought he'd been on the bench for nearly every game that McClaren has been here and seems to only come on for the last few minutes of games.

[brady1993]

1 minute ago, mumblemumble said:

Must be true then - Why would you sell Chris Martin and buy Assombalonga who is a similar player to Vydra?

And injury prone to boot.

[tomsdubs]

13 minutes ago, cannable said:

And as McClaren has said… we're nowhere near where we want to be.

Yeah in direct response to the performance levels, not squad personnel... Don't twist a quote to suit an argument.

[RoyMac5]

I can find something positive to say about all our current squad...except Blackman. He's never gonna be first or second to any position in the team and with good reason. I'd be happy if he was the only out-going tbh.

[brady1993]

1 minute ago, tomsdubs said:

Yeah in direct response to the performance levels, not squad personnel... Don't twist a quote to suit an argument.

I see your point but (and this is @cannable's argument) squad personnel influences performance levels. We know from past history that McClaren wants to build a team that will dominate the ball and our midfield on saturday didn't allow us to do that.