Steve Cotterill: New balance to Nottingham Forest squad will help
STEVE Cotterill believes Nottingham Forest will be much better equipped heading into the final third of the season – because they are no longer asking players to perform in unfamiliar roles.
The Reds will head to Middlesbrough in confident mood tonight, following a much-improved display against Watford on Saturday.
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Midfield maestro: Guy Moussi is much more effective in midfield than playing in the back four.
And manager Cotterill insists his side will be much stronger as they enter the final 17 games – because they are no longer putting square pegs in round holes.
The capture of Danny Higginbotham (Stoke), Scott Wootton (Manchester United) and George Elokobi (Wolves) on loan has addressed the lack of cover in the back-four.
Cotterill believes that finally having that balance in the squad could be critical.
"We have not been playing that badly recently, our performances have been okay," he said.
"But, if I asked you to build me a wall, it would not be a very good wall because you are not a bricklayer.
"You'd probably do your best, you'd have a go at it, because you have to. When you ask people to do different jobs, it can be hard work.
"These players are not stupid. As much as you try to persuade them things are going to be okay with a midfielder in the centre of defence, they know it might not be.
"As good a job as Guy Moussi did, he does not want to be running around back there.
"He wants to be running around in midfield, where he can have an influence and do the things he is good at."
Cotterill also hopes the financial future of the club will become a little clearer tomorrow, when the Forest hierarchy meet with the executors of Nigel Doughty's estate.
The former chairman and owner was found dead at his Newark home ten days ago.
"We are hoping that things will be a little bit clearer after that," said Cotterill.
"It is something we need to be aware of. But for those people who knew Nigel, he was a very, very organised man.
"Forest was a big part of his life and I would be very surprised if what he had already committed to the club over the next few years is not in place.
"That is not me saying I know anything for certain, I would just be surprised if things are not in place."
Doughty's investment in the club totals close to £100m over a 13 year period.
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by fashy1
Wednesday, February 15 2012, 12:12PM
“Geoff, I agree with the large part of your comments. In fact if I was SC I would write Reid's name on a piece of paper and then pass it round the changing room for ten volunteers to sign up. I'm not sure that I see McCleary as taking his place though. McCleary has said how much he likes being on the left and Reid could play anywhere in midfield. I'd play them both.
My main point though was that while I had no problem with people being critical - it's football, we all have our own opinions - but do we really need to be so abusive? If any supporters should be aware of how wrong Shankley was then surely it's Forest supporters.”
by GeoffAC
Wednesday, February 15 2012, 11:51AM
“fashy1..... I think most of us agree and accept that SC has had his hands tied HOWEVER, there is absolutely no doubt that he has no idea and is completely out of his depth. He is still going on about the Forest squad being the most unbalanced squad he has known and yet despite seemingly correcting this problem with recent loan signings, he is still playing players out of position and last night was a complete joke.... evidence..... McCleary(right winger) starts on left wing where Reidy should have been. Gunter (I've missed again) starts on right wing instead of right full back. Calamity Chambers (not captain material) is again captain and is in the team instead of our best player this season Lynchy. Harewood, who made two good chances last night and the injured donkey Miller replaced up front at half time by winger McCleary? and the misfiring, couldn't control a football to save his life Findley...all this after we had just gone 1-0 down. By bringing our eventual goalscorer Lynchy on at half time, Cotterill has now got S E V E N yes SEVEN defensive outfield players on the field and almost immediately we go 2-0 down. Okay, so then he brings goalmaker Reidy on but why the hell is Dexter left on the bench? I'm sorry but anything less than a win v Coventry on saturday and surely Frank Clark HAS to step yp to the plate and dispense with Cotterill if only until the end of the season on gardening leave. FC MUST do EVERYTHING in his power as chairman to keep Forest in the Championship and by this I mean DO NOT bring in any more loan players BRING IN BILLY DAVIES cos he can still turn this mess around. If we don't beat Coventry on saturday and FC does nothing, I and I think most Forest fans will condemn him for seemingly accepting our great club's demise into the third tier.”
by fashy1
Wednesday, February 15 2012, 11:07AM
“My view on SC is that while seeing nothing to suggest that he is world class I do recognise that he has had his hands tied. Had to keep someone else's coaching staff. Not allowed to bring in own players till last two matches. (during which we have scored and been within a crossbar's width of getting a better result). Having to pick up the pieces from one of the worst management periods the club has ever known.
Many football supporters (and I use the word "supporters" loosely) do not live in the real world. No-one is prouder of Forest's history than I am. I will bang on about European Cups with the best of them and don't get me started on the Johnny Carey team of the 60s but the reality is that today we are a championship team with no money in deep relegation trouble. If you can't hack it, go and support Man U or Chelsea. (or Rangers or Portsmouth).
I try to avoid getting involved in abusive exchanges but those of you who think that one person is to blame for the current situation and that calling whoever, in your wisdom, you decree it is and describe as stupid/idiot/muppet or whatever just show how little you know about football and I'm afraid, life itself.
Right, I feel better for that and for anyone still reading this would just like to say that I wish that there were more posters like Angus - look at his posts, he's not a Happy Clapper, he's just a positive, constructive fan. Mouse1971 as well - a great post. Asking "Can someone keep me positive?" and then answering his own question by pointing out that we can keep ourselves positive. Am I missing something or is his idea about "enjoying ourselves" what football is supposed to be about?”
by jonsol
Wednesday, February 15 2012, 5:51AM
“Cotterill you are a 6th form P.E teacher!!!
take your hands out your pockets and get rid of that bloody tracksuit!!!
Go collect your P45, Pajama Boy”
by lazarou73
Wednesday, February 15 2012, 3:19AM
“AcapulcoAngus I couldn't agree less. The club can't see what an incompetent moron this guy is and neither can you. The fans have seen good managers and bad down the years and this guy is worst we have EVER seen. It's up to the fans now to hound this idiot out of our club not mindlessly cheer for him as leads us into league two - which I'm sure he'll do if he sees out his contract.”
by GeoffAC
Tuesday, February 14 2012, 11:46PM
“Steve Cotterill: New balance to Nottingham Forest squad will help. ARE YOU HAVING A LAUGH COTTERILL? You start the game v Middlesbrough with a 4-4-2, so far so good eh? No not really cos you're still playing McCleary (right winger) on the left wing where Reidy should be and Gunter on the right wing instead of right full back. You still have calamity Chambers as captain and occupying a central defensive position that Lynchy HAS earned. THEN and it just gets better. You replace the injured donkey Miller and Harewood as strikers with the misfiring couldn't control the ball to save his life Findley and McCleary? and leave Dexter on the bench... and talking of unbalanced, you now have SEVEN defensive players on the pitch and we go 2-0 down almost immediately. Unbalanced? that word best desribes YOU SC.”
by bluecaps
Tuesday, February 14 2012, 11:44PM
“I AM LOST FOR WORDS .ABOUT TONIGHTS MATCH
IT IS NOW 23 42 PM
GOOD NIGHT ALL.”
by martynofderby
Tuesday, February 14 2012, 11:28PM
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by AcapulcoAngus
Tuesday, February 14 2012, 10:50PM
“It is wrong to blame Cotterill for everything. We were losing before he got here and the players he has brought in look like good acquisitions. I'll be 100% behind the manager and the team on Saturday. 6 points asrift 48 points to play for. It's the fans job to roar them to victory!”
by RichieW
Tuesday, February 14 2012, 10:39PM
“CARDIFF A 0-1 LOSE
LEEDS H 0-4 LOSE
BRIGHTON A 0-1 LOSE
PALACE H 0-1 LOSE
BRISTOL A 0-0 DRAW
P'BORO H 0-1 LOSE
CARDIFF H 0-1 LOSE
IPSWICH A 3-1 WIN
SOTON H 0-3 LOSE
W HAM A 1-2 LOSE
BURNLEY H 0-2 LOSE
WATFORD H 1-1 DRAW
M'BORO A 1-2 LOSE
PLAYED 13 WON 1 DRAWN 2 LOST 10
GOALS FOR 6 GOALS AGAINST 20
POINTS 5 (FROM A POSSIBLE 39)
COTTERILL OUT NOW !”