Blackstock: Lack of signings won't hold Reds back
MATCHWINNER Dexter Blackstock insists Nottingham Forest are equipped to sustain their promotion push, despite the failure to add new signings in the January transfer window.
Reds boss Billy Davies was frustrated at the lack of new additions, after requesting the club make three signings during January.
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Dexter Blackstock scores the winner
But striker Blackstock, who netted twice to help Forest to a 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday, said that the dressing room is still full of confidence.
"We had not gone too far wrong in the 20 matches before the end of the transfer window in which we had been unbeaten, asides from the one game at Derby," he said.
"But that just shows the ambition of the manager, that he wanted to make us even stronger.
"He is disappointed because he wanted to strengthen – and what more could you want from your manager? He wants to take us a long way.
"But there is not any disappointment in the dressing room. We are very happy with the squad of players we have. We have great belief in what we have achieved so far this season.
"We do not sit in the position we are in without having good players here at the club already. We have shown that we can win matches in this division with what we have got.
"Nothing changes now. We will keep going, keep plugging away. It would have been nice for the manager to bring in the players he wanted to freshen things up, maybe.
"But it wasn't to be and we will keep moving forwards now."
Davies remains a frustrated figure however, launching a fresh salvo at the club board for failing to tie up a permanent deal for Polish midfielder Raddy Majewski – and insisting that it would be wrong to rely on the loan market to see them over the finishing line.
"There is a danger that he could get picked up by somebody else, with the performances he is producing. There is no doubt about that," he said. "We need to settle the lad's head down, get him signed up, get it done.
"We need something to give us a lift following what happened in January.
"As for loan signings, there are not too many Nicky Shorey's out there. I can go into the Premier League and bring in players who I know will not give their all.
"They will come here to play a game of football or two and get through to the summer break. They will go through the motions. Not because they are cheats, but because that is just the way it is with loan signings.
"We are a building club, we are a developing club. We have to continue to put the pieces into the jigsaw puzzle that can take us forward – not over a period of months, but over the next two or three years."
10 Comments
by T, Notts
Monday, February 08 2010, 8:54PM
“Also went on "BBC Sport pages" and it werent there.
This was a rumour made up by Reds to wind up sheep. Get them all excited.
I've heard Rumours, Rumours. I've heard Rumours. Care to explain what you mean by Rumours? Simple question”
by T, Notts
Monday, February 08 2010, 8:41PM
“If he goes anywhere it will be the prem. He certainly wouldn't move to a team battling relgation every season! Also, derby can't afford him.
We have 6 months to tie up this contract as we have first refusal. I'll worry about it 4 months in.”
by Daryl, Nottingham
Monday, February 08 2010, 7:51PM
“Don't worry about Gorgeous George and his post... It's rather believable but it's tosh.
This'll cheer you up. (Just done it myself.)
He¿s the type of man that does things on the cheap
He¿s a budget manager with an interest in Sheep
His career in football has gone down the pan
He kicked Billy Davies, what a grubby little man
He¿s a knock off Nigel a knock off Nigel,
Knock off Nigel will send Derby down.”
by mandy, southwell
Monday, February 08 2010, 7:50PM
“snoopredog.scarborough
There is more chance of us signing kaka than the sheep have of signing Raddy.They are skint ,and need to sell more of the existing squad never mind buying anyone new.
Its just a very sad ,poor and very long winded attempt at a wum.”
by snoopREDog, scarborough
Monday, February 08 2010, 7:18PM
“re gorgeous george's posting please please don't let this happen pleat and co gett his lad signed up he's been the stand out player so far this season and will be in seasons to come if,IF we sign him up!It will be a very bitter pill to swallow if this match winner goes the same way as our last match winner(commons) down the dredded brian clough way west bound!!!”
by Gorgeous George, Derby
Monday, February 08 2010, 6:04PM
“BREAKING NEWS..... 17:33
If you don't believe me go on BBC Sport pages
Copied and pasted from BBC Sport pages
Championship strugglers Derby County have formally entered the race to sign the much coveted Polonia Warsaw midfielder Radoslaw Majewski and Rams manager Nigel Clough is confident the Pole will welcome a move down the A52 from Nottingham Forest, where he is playing on loan until the end of the season.
The Rams' manager, Son of Forest legend Brian, has admired Majewski's form this season ¿ the midfielder has played a crucial part in Nottingham Forest's promotion push ¿ and the Rams' will lodge their bid at the start of the next transfer window.
Polonia Warsaw have today confirmed that there has been no offer from Nottingham Forest to sign the Polish international, 23, who has notched up six international caps. It is believed that Polonia Warsaw have set an asking price of £2m for the wantaway player.
Majewski and his representative will consider their options shortly but accept the time has come to part with Forest and Majewski wants to play in England. That means that, at present, Derby are in pole position to secure the playmaker who would take a well-trodden route from The City Ground to Derby County, with a handful of ex Forest players moving onto Derby County, most recently Kris Commons in June 2008. Nigel Clough confirmed his interest in the Pole in this statement made to Sky Sports;
"We definately need to strengthen this squad, we are sitting near the relegation zone and we have looked at who we can buy and were in touch with Polonia (Warsaw) last month and will lodge our bid for Radi (Majewski) at the first opportunity. Radi is a good midfield playmaker, i'd love him to join Derby County, we see something special in him, and he would definately fit into our long term plans."
Meanwhile, Derby County are said to be offering striker Rob Hulse and veteran midfielder Robbie Savage extensions to their current contracts.
Bill Smith”
by Daryl, Nottingham
Monday, February 08 2010, 4:52PM
“Dexter was good, i reckon he ought to be first choice penalty taker, and he knows that too, remember the one the other week, when Dex was bought down, he took, he scored... Brilliant striker, infact, the only striker i've come to like since David Johnson.”
by Posh Red, Peterborough
Monday, February 08 2010, 11:31AM
“Okay, here's the plan. Billy, get your head straight first and focus totally on getting us up. Ignore the AP like they apparently ignore you, tell Ravvi a couple of jokes, pick up the cards you've got and keep playing a brilliant game!
I reckon we need 86 points to be CERTAIN of an automatic place. We've got 55 now so another 31 points is needed from 17 matches (9 away and 8 at home).
If we lose to Coventry and Sheffield United away and then draw every away game and win every home game after that - we're there.
Choose any combination you want but the route is clear. We might just get it with a couple or so less than 86 but 86 does it.
So Billy, Players and Fans. Get totally behind the Reds. Forget all these negative distractions and carry on as you were.
"Come on you Reds! We're GOING UP!!!"”
by al, its tough at the top
Monday, February 08 2010, 11:10AM
“Spot on Grim, unselfish running always helping his mates, nice to see 4 Reds queuing up for the second goal”
by The Grim Reaper, Lower Brian Clough Stand
Monday, February 08 2010, 10:25AM
“Dexter was excellent on Saturday. A well directed penalty and a well taken 2nd goal. He's been an excellent signing for us. U reds.”