McKenna relishing fresh challenge with Forest
PAUL McKenna intends to go one step further than he did at Preston by reaching the Premiership with Nottingham Forest.
The 31-year-old midfielder was unveiled at the City Ground yesterday after completing a £750,000 move from the club where he has spent all his career, making more than 450 appearances.
-
Paul McKenna
But after losing in the Championship play-offs three times in the last five years with Preston, he now wants to reach the top flight with the Reds after agreeing a three-year deal.
And McKenna is relishing the fresh start that lies ahead after linking up with manager Billy Davies, who he worked under at Deepdale.
The midfielder said: "I had great times at Preston, have been there all my career, have a lot of friends there and all my family is there.
"But I think these opportunities do not come around too many times, although it was a wrench to come away.
"This is a fresh start and gives me a new buzz and there are a lot of players coming in here. It is great to be part of it.
"The manager has the backing of the board and they are gearing up to try to get that promotion. They are exciting times here and I am sure the fans will be absolutely buzzing with what is going on and hopefully the future is bright.
"There is a lot of talent here and you never know. I do not want to put too much pressure on but I have come here to be successful.
"With the management and the board, the size of the ground and the players they are bringing in, the club is going one way and that is towards the top of the league."
Chris Gunter, who played a huge part on loan from Tottenham to help Forest stay up last season, was also unveiled yesterday after signing a four-year contract.
The Reds completed the £1.75m transfer for the full back and Gunter, who turns 20 today, said: "I am delighted to be back and I was praying it would happen.
"I spoke to the manager at the end of the season and he said 'we are going to try to buy you'. I said if you can do that, this is the place I want to be.
"I am thrilled after the way it went last season and the reaction of the fans towards me. Hopefully it is the start of something really good for me here.
"I just want to carry on where I left off. It does not feel like I am joining a new club."
68 Comments
View all
by red beaver, alabama
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 6:43PM
“i really cant see why everyone is so worried about staying in the premiership, they should just sit back and enjoy the season ahead trying to get there. thats the trouble with too many fans always worrying in advance, try to enjoy yourselves , first,”
by Phil Poole, Sutton in Ashfield
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 8:18AM
“If Mike and Mikey think that Forest will not be up for promotion, they can think again. I understand what they are saying, we are in safe hands. Forget what the sheep did, this is the City Ground, not the sheep pen. The massive expenditure is not just for us to consolidate and then spend a lot more next summer to have a try for promotion. It seems obvious to me that there is every intention to get into the 1st (premiership) division in one go. If we achieve that goal, then any money spent next summer will be to consolidate us at the top level. Of couse splashing the cash does not guarantee sucess but combined with good coaching it certainly helps. Billy Davies certainly seems to be extremely positive and therefore would not enter any competion without trying to win. To my mind we will definitely be battling it out somewhere near the top of the championship.
This is making me feel like a kid waiting for Santa Clause.
You Reddddsssss”
by ramster, .
Tuesday, July 21 2009, 10:37PM
“You lot enjoy while you can.
billy is loading the club with debt over long term contracts, ring any bells.Of course your chairman is spending, its not earning much in the bank so he lends to the club and charges interest. Rumour is dextors on £10,000 a week, if theyre all getting £8,000 to £10,000,wheres the money coming from 20,000 fans? Seen it all before, you have to get promoted this season with this investment, pressure is already there.”
by bambam, OutThereSomeWhere?
Tuesday, July 21 2009, 9:47PM
“William Shakespare was A Queer, from the land of lambs he did appair, he calls the super red some sort of inbreds but we all know he has an extra toe, when the new season starts, we see the sheep and reds apart, the reds so high they touch the sky, the sheeps to the slaughter way down below, so you see my friend Mr Skakespare, when I close my eyes please disapair! ;-)”
by w shakespeare, derby
Tuesday, July 21 2009, 9:18PM
“I remember the Hulk he was Portuguese
His poems were about as funny as these
He thinks his manager is a good buyer
Hes been taken in by the man they call Liar
He thinks it is clever to say sheep and lambs
But deep down he knows were the mighty Rams
We will come to the Cow Shed put your nose out of joint
When we will take our usual
three points
Youve spent all that money it dont mean a thing
You can keep your Goofy and all of his bling
You can come on this site with your threats and your vamp
We will just carry on putting
the ball beyond Camp”