I'm sure all supporters will be doing Dougie's job for him and putting together their squad for next season. Deciding who they want rid of, and where they need to strengthen.
I'm no different, so here goes:
GK = De Vries, Evtimov
Two keepers wont be enough so we definitely need another experienced keeper as backup for Dorus who will be the number one.
FB = Lichaj, Fox.
Ideally a left back who is better than Fox should come in although Cohen could play there when fit.
CB = Mancienne, Hobbs, Wilson, Laing
Again we are a bit short given the fitness record of Hobbs and Wilson. A defender who can play LB or CB would be really useful.
DM = Tesche
He's not Gary Gardner but to my mind he is the only naturally defensive midfielder we have so again it would be nice to bring in another.
WM = Burke, Antonio, Paterson, Burke
Neither Burke or Antonio have let us down this season, they have been among the most consistent performers. Indeed Antonio is unchallenged for POTY. Others could also play wide if necessary.
AM = Lansbury, Osborn, Reid, Cohen, Vaughan
Should be OK with that group if they can steer clear of long term injuries. It would make a big difference if Reid and Cohen could play 50+ games between them.
Striker = Fryatt, Blackstock, Walker, Assombalonga.
Another problem area. We need two reliable experienced strikers to come in which wont be easy. Walker to go out on loan as he is not really ready for the Championship.
So that is 22 players. Some (Evtimov, Laing, Pato, Olly Burke, Walker) could go out on loan depending on who we could bring in. Ideally I would like to see a GK, FB, CB, DM, and two strikers.
I'm not saying it's a squad that could make the play offs, I don't think it is. But next season I would like to see an improvement on this (Top ten), and stability brough back to the club and the foundations laid for 2016-17 when we should be out of FFP and able to put some icing on the cake.
Next Season
posted on 30/4/15
Don't think we have seen the best of DDV yet at Forest. I am confident that he could step up as number one for Forest next season. I also agree that, injury permitting, he should've been in ahead of Darlow when and wherever possible these last few months. Darlow's mind has appeared to be elsewhere recently. Missed a trick for me with DDV as well as Mancienne ahead of Lascelles.
The whole Shilton v Clemence thing where they would play alternate games for England was crazy. Shilts was clearly the better keeper but played for unfashionable Nottingham Forest, though. England managers were as muddled in their thinking then as they are now!
posted on 30/4/15
Bruce Grobbelaar was another one. He wasn't called the clown prince for nothing, fortunately for him he had the best defence in the country in front of him.
posted on 1/5/15
Owd Brucie! Used to have some good banter whenever he was keeping at the Trent End goal when the Scousers were in town.
posted on 1/5/15
Next season will be no better than your current form.
If you're a plastic fan then don't renew. If you're a proper fan then the transfer embargo should be irrelevant.
posted on 1/5/15
Thanks for that
posted on 1/5/15
You're welcome
posted on 1/5/15
Monday is judgement day for the players apparently. DF will let the unwanted ones know he wants them gone.
posted on 1/5/15
If Fox isn't one of them I'll lose all faith in humanity.
posted on 1/5/15
"Nottingham Forest boss Dougie Freedman has ruled out a move for Bolton Wanderers centre-half Matt Mills. "
Off the BBC site. According this this, Mills is out of contract but Freedman has said he's not interested, and is looking at a "wider range" of players, what ever that means. Would he be a good signing though?
posted on 1/5/15
Please don't let us sign Mills