Earnshaw: Cardiff's big-money signings make them the team to beat
ROBERT Earnshaw today admitted big spending Cardiff City are probably now the Championship promotion favourites – but insisted: "We'll push them all the way."
The Nottingham Forest striker admits he is mystified to see his former club splashing the cash only weeks after supposedly facing financial ruin.
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Robert Earnshaw
But, despite making the transfer coup of the summer by landing Craig Bellamy on a season-long loan, Earnshaw warns that the Welsh side will not have it all their own way.
"I don't think they will be up there just because they have signed Craig Bellamy," said Earnshaw.
"People might make them favourites, but it is not as easy as that.
"It is tough to win this league. No matter who they sign, they will find that out.
"It will be tough for them and we will be right there, pushing them hard, pushing them all the way.
"We will see how it pans out. They will be strong. But we will push them."
Earnshaw says he was not shocked to see Bellamy move to his hometown club.
"I probably knew that he was going to go there last season," said Earnshaw. "He is 31 now and he is not going to play until he is 37. I knew he wanted to play there.
"It was just a case of when it would happen. Things have not gone well for him at Man City. That has given him the chance to go to Cardiff.
"It is a bit crazy, really. Nobody knows where the money is coming from.
"Nobody knows what is going on with the finances. A couple of months ago they were in financial trouble, so it is a bit strange to see this now.
"All you heard before was about missed payments and them potentially going bankrupt.
"Now, all of a sudden, they are signing people like Craig Bellamy and Jason Koumas.
"It is crazy. It is a bit of a shock. But I am hearing that they have some big backing behind the scenes."
Earnshaw now hopes that Forest can make a few new additions of their own, before the window closes.
"We could do with some extra depth. Whether that happens, we will have to see," he said.
"As players we just focus on the people who are here. We focus on doing a job. If people come in or leave over the next few weeks, we will handle the changes.
"But then, after that, people will have a settled squad. We will see what happens in the next week or so.
"But we do have a great squad."
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by Percy Broadbent, West Bridgford
Wednesday, August 25 2010, 9:04AM
“tony, Nottingham says:-
''Other clubs in this division are making fantastic signings ... ..''
Come on then Tony, name those fantastic signings!!”
by ilson red, still at work
Wednesday, August 25 2010, 2:19AM
“tony, i dont want to start a huge debate on who we could have instead of ND and as tom has said do we really want a bunch of american buisness men stepping in trying to make a quick buck then leaving us in a financial mess. I agree things dont look good at the minute with players in and out etc.But could you imagine where our great club would be without ND,would we even be a club anymore?
Everyone is entitled to their oppinion and i am not happy at spending close to £500 on a season ticket and not seeing anyone come though our doors, but as supporters our job is to sing,shout and cheer our team on every saturday afternoon no matter who the chairman, manager or tea lady is...i really hope i dont hear any negativity this saturday because that is no good for anyone...YOU REDS.”
by Tom, southwell
Wednesday, August 25 2010, 12:00AM
“I know we,re all getting frustrated by the seemingly lack of transfers (who knows what is going on behind the scenes) and I know some are saying its time for ND to sell up but honestly do we want some faceless ,nameless overseas conglomerate running our club.
Yes they might bring success but at what cost ..just look at Portsmouth to see what being owned by the such like ddoes for you. We all want success for Forest but but I most certainly dont want us to end up like Portsmouth..”
by Dan Willatt, Devon
Tuesday, August 24 2010, 11:33PM
“http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20100823/davenport-training-with-united_2247585_2131947”
by tony, nottingham
Tuesday, August 24 2010, 11:28PM
“I don't have any names but I am 100% sure there would be plenty of interest in Forest. Just look at Leicester,they are a smaller club with bigger debts than Forest yet they can attract people who will invest in them.
Forest are a big name with good support and great history,maybe not as strong now after 11 years of 2nd and 3rd division football under Doughty but still up there as one of the big names in english and european football.
I don't buy this "there is nobody out there" business, clubs change ownership on a regular basis now,especially if you're Leicester.
I just see it like this: After 11 years of failing to get the club back to the top division its time to hand it over to someone else.NIGEL DOUGHTY HAS PROVED HE CAN'T DELIVER WHAT THE FANS WANT, 11 YEARS IS A LONG TIME IN FOOTBALL, 11 YEARS OF FAILIURE IN FOOTBALL IS UNHEARD OF REALLY AND ITS TIME TO GIVE SOMEONE ELSE THE CHANCE !
There is always a bit of risk changing owner(s) but i'd rather do it than be stuck in the bottom league for the next few years.
I want Forest to be a premier league team next season but if Doughty remains in charge it just won't happen !”