Forest likely to lose out on Bertrand, but could land Shorey
NOTTINGHAM Forest are poised to make a fresh bid for former England defender Nicky Shorey.
The Reds are likely to be beaten in the race to sign Ryan Bertrand, with a clutch of Premier League clubs targeting the Chelsea man.
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Nicky Shorey
But that may yet open the door for a fresh move for another former loan signing, West Brom defender Shorey.
New Forest boss Steve McClaren knows the capture of a left-back must be high on his list of priorities this summer.
And Shorey was handed his two England international caps by McClaren, who believes the 30-year-old could add vital experience to his back four.
The club had been considering a bid to capture England U21 international Bertrand, preferably on a permanent deal, after he impressed in a loan spell at the City Ground last season.
Chelsea remain keen to retain Bertrand on their books – slapping a £5m price tag on the player. But they are willing to allow him to gain experience via another long-term loan move.
While Forest would also have been interested on doing a deal on that basis, they face competition from the likes of Wolves, Bolton, West Brom and Fulham.
And, with Chelsea keen to see if the player can make the grade in the Premier League, he is likely to be farmed out to another top-flight club.
If Bertrand ends up at West Brom, it would leave Shorey surplus to requirements at the Hawthorns.
The Baggies are also believed to be considering a £5m move for Birmingham City's versatile defender Liam Ridgewell, who can play at left-back or in the centre.
His arrival would also put Shorey's future in doubt and could also pave the way for a second spell at Forest.
Previous loan signing Paul Konchesky is likely to join Wolves from Liverpool.
And, while the Reds have told Julian Bennett there is a one-year deal on the table for him, it is only a gesture of loyalty and he will be allowed out on loan to attempt to earn a move elsewhere.
The future of Colin Calderwood could be decided in the next 24 hours.
Forest want the Hibs boss to return to as assistant manager and hope an agreement can be reached with the Scottish club.
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by mickycolosus
Thursday, June 23 2011, 6:33PM
“Ha Ha Ha only Scunny were less attractive to away supporters than Direby....http://tinyurl.com/6445j3o hilarious...”
by jenglouster
Thursday, June 23 2011, 6:18PM
“Scunny and Donny took away more fans than derby last season-FACT
Somethings not right,you have the away following of a team that gets less than 10k at home.
Mr Gadsby let everybody know about your 7-10,000 freebies. Reckon I would believe a former owner before any of their fans that have no way of knowing the facts.
600 for the short trip to Cov on a sat afternoon is pitiful,don't know how you have the nerve to always bring up attendence figures.”
by itsjustagame
Thursday, June 23 2011, 1:33PM
“Paulderby..the good thing about making the playoffs is your season has more wins in it than losses. If your team finish 4th from bottom every yr and mine finish 4th from top..you can rationalise it all you want but I enjoyed our season more than you did yours..yeh same division but leagues apart. I know you must enjoy your team winning games..you were one of those saying playing like Brazil were'nt you? remember those early wins? didnt last long did it? but you must have enjoyed it. Well so do we and I'll take playoffs every yr over relegation scraps and most football fans would...except you. Now if Derby finish 4th from top this yr and Forest finish 4th from bottom I can take comfort from your words..well we're in the same division.
Oh and as for relgation attendances..Scunthorpe average crowd last season 5547, Preston 11767..Derby averaged 2068 more home fans than Forest but Forests away following was above Derby's which made both clubs watched by the same amount of fans...”
by HuskyRed
Thursday, June 23 2011, 1:09PM
“Brindersgod
I disagree with Shorey impact being a bd myth. The points per game Stats dip when Shorey left and we were making do, was enough to make the difference between second and third.
Then Perch was culpable for at least 2 of the goals we conceded against Blackpool - not totally his fault as he was out of position.
Either way, a consistent back four would have made the difference in my view. Not that Billy got everything right, and I'm hopeful about Macca. But that was why missing promotion last time was so hard to swallow - more so than this time, since we were so close to having the pace to hit automatic.
All water under the bridge now. But I hope we do finally resolve the squad gaps. We dont have an underinvested squad, but we do have low numbers. It was interesting hearing Reading saying they had 2 players competing for every position. I think we need to do the same.”
by Paulderby
Thursday, June 23 2011, 9:36AM
“Micky
what so good about being in the play offs 2 years running and not being able to attract more fans than a relegation threaten team !!!
could not make it up !!
next we will have the florest well you only measure support by how many go away
or no one pays to watch Derby but everyone including the players on the pitch pay at florest !!
l”
by BrindersGod
Thursday, June 23 2011, 9:15AM
“Micky Colosus,
No, he was saying we couldn't possibly finish in the play-offs last season - ie repeat what we did the previous season - without 'three to five stellar (very expensive) signings'. If Billy had got his way and this cost had been passed on to season ticket holders, you'd all be paying £5,000 for your season tickets. The bloke was way out of order.
As for Nicky Shorey, good player, yes, good possible signing, yes, but this implicit belief that he was the difference between Forest success and failure is, I'm afraid, yet another myth of BD.”
by HuskyRed
Thursday, June 23 2011, 12:15AM
“Shorey would be an excellent catch. Bertrand is the better long term bet, but shorey is class. Who knows where we'd be now if he had been a season long loan last time. Just hope we can afford his wages.”
by mickycolosus
Wednesday, June 22 2011, 11:12PM
“pauldireby...If I were you I would keep quiet about gates. Your gates have been dropping for a few seasons now. You aveage 2,500 more than us at the moment. You are 4,000 down on your gates of 2 seasons ago. With another relegation battle in front of you, then 3 seasons in league one, we'll have another look at the stats. Meanwhile our gates are UP from 2 seasons ago.
http://tinyurl.com/37npq6f”
by mickycolosus
Wednesday, June 22 2011, 10:49PM
“BrindersGod...I think Billy was saying, we've finished third with this team, if we can improve the team we should finish higher (ie. auto prom). Also, if we had finished in the play-offs (with the extra signings) we would also be stronger, so we may have beaten Swansea.”
by itsjustagame
Wednesday, June 22 2011, 10:29PM
“..and Paul..on these pages there are two maybe three Derby fans who come and have digs and you are one of them..that leaves about 30,000 Derby fans mature enough and educated enough to not come here for the sole purpose of having digs. At least they have better things to do than come to a rival newspaper and mock, taunt, and belittle at every opportunity..that , young man, speaks volumes about you.”