Good post and there is definitely a chance that the big signing from last summer will be a flop - however the time to judge is different for every acquisition and any u21s should be given more of that. I’m not sure you could argue we are spending more than most clubs, but definitley more than the Millwalls and Preston’s - hence the expectation will move further. Those clubs with “restrictions” are in that position because of wage/ffp problems from putting far more “wage” on the pitch than we are currently, Imo. At this point TM hasn’t had to accept losing any players, but I wouldn’t call his luxuries a “war chest” compared to the money wasted by us the last time we had ambitions of getting out of this league. OK is a subjective take - I can accept that’s your view, I think the synonym/adjective to describe this season so far is “good”. Things can change quickly though!

I agree. Nyambe’s strength and pace is frightening and I can see him really becoming a monster in the next few years. He has improved so much from playing consistently. Also need that winger too for me. If we stick to this formation, need more depth out wide. Do think Armstrong is improving though. Few times yesterday he cut inside to create chances.

Well I must be wrong if your only argument is stop digging and “of course the fee was a massive amount of money for us to spend”... THATS ME TOLD HAHA

1. We’ve already signed him from what I gather, so the question doesn’t need answering. The question id ask on that, do you think the fact it’s “loan then buy” because of the early permenant window closing, is making fans think differently as if there is a way out (even if there isn’t)? 2. Ive said this a few times now - but I don’t think Ben is particularly draining on the resources because of fee/wage flex. Reed is probably too expensive at the minute, because he made his premier league debut 4 years ago. He’s also played a few times in the prem, had a full season in a first 11 in this tier. 2 years into a 4 and a half year deal too, probably above our highest earners! The stretch from mid champ to lower prem in wages is vast. The revenue drop is even wider! I’d obviously love to see Reed stay though- lad is a warrior.

Agree with the first part - but I don’t understand why 7m is such a “huge fee” or why that’s just fair cop to turn up the heat on manager and player. If we’d signed two or three more freebies instead, the wage cost might’ve been a similar outlay this season, yet no mystical extra expectations! Comparing him to Gladwin and Hart already is far worse than “putting a brace face on it” in my opinion. At least let the lad start a few games before you’re loaning him to Rochdale.

The net can always be wider, no argument on that one. I just feel 7m isnt enough to guarantee replacing any key player, at this level, in 2018. It’s a lot more useful than the 250k we spent on fees in 16/17 though! (signed Williams)

Agree - people have higher expectations at the moment purely down to the job he has done. It’s one thing to have a different opinion about the teams he picks or the subs he makes, but in my eyes; demanding “ruthless changes” makes you look and sound stupid when we’ve lost twice at home in 15 months. Thankfully I believe TM knows the subtle, slight changes to improve us by fine margins is the way forward long term. You can’t “drop like a stone” without being a good position to lose.

We are in a league that the more established players in his position are on 40/50+ grand a week. Look at Norwich. Rhodes, Hanley and Marshall would probably all get into our first 11 - but they sit on Norwich bench for how much a season? 100k a week? 5m a season without taxes? 7m is (apology for pun) Chicken feed. I can think of a few players we’ve signed on established wages and lesser fee, who’ve ended up costing us way more than 7m For example, Leon Best....

Not good enough final product or decision making. When he had that “shot” after busting through near the end, when rolling it across the box was the simple choice - sums up Nyambe, he isn’t the finished article at all though (also only 20). First reflective thought this morning is “didn’t evans play well?” Worked hard, was needlessly booked and at times showed real clever touches and passes, on top of breaking the game up and harrying the oppo. If we sign a right winger - Reed/Evans might be the pairing in the middle to see us take that next step up.

Precisely

I think there is always more than one reason to explain things in football. There is always a few things impacting good or bad form. Also, for me we should put to bed this idea that he was a “huge fee” He wasn’t cheap, but huge fee’s in 2018 aren’t 7 figures. What does that even mean? As far as I a aware - under these owners club has never put a chunk like 7m into a up and coming player? So what has this guy got previous for to warrant having “grubby prints” on it? (thought he was involved in Coyle/Senior? Not signing talented potential players to blend into the club) If this rumour that Ben and Davenport are more of a club decision than simply Mowbray - surely that’s a good thing? It’s only a week since it was suggested the problem with Mowbray is his immediate connection and responsibility with and to the owners. This suggests the club isn’t run like that at the moment. Is that a bad thing?

I haven’t seen anything particularly worth talking about above standard things - however the key part is thus far. Although I disagree with the idea the price comes with a big wage and added expectation, to me he hasn’t been used enough to really settle and we’ve not changed style to bring him in more. Not enough time.

Taking someone from the matchday squad is binning them off so to speak. My choice of team is dependent on paper, I personally would have KP on the bench from what I’ve seen but his reaction in training might be worthy of a start. I’d like to think that is what picks the first 18. Subjective opinion of the staff on the effort levels and form. Granted, form is poor for both mentioned players but it won’t improve off the pitch. Gladwin was a poor signing looking at his impact at this point after 16 months. Hopefully we won’t be saying the same about Ben.

Glass half full says the setup hasn’t done bad since we are safe and mid table. Subtle adjustments would be my suggestion personally on the system. An out and out winger would definitely be on my list to improve our attacking.

You keep referencing forest so that’s what else you’re basing it on for a start. Passing comment is one thing - suggesting he shouldn’t be in the squad? That’s a complete different suggestion in my eyes. It’s effectively saying he’s not even worthy of a chance. I thought KP was dissapointing but do I think he’s done enough to warrant a shot from the bench? That’s not my decision because I don’t take training. I wouldn’t be to impressed though by either of them in those roles today - but that’s not to say it’s time to bin either off to the u23s. Funny that you mention Gladwin.. I mean I remember one real poor moment, but overall I couldn’t say he’s “a bad un!” Because I never actually got to see him have proper spell. Two knee injuries and surgery curtailed any chance for him, regardless of the tattoos and pints stories on here.

Nope, Nuttall is a big target man / poacher as far as I recall, and whilst I think Ben is more likely a central player- he’s more suited than Joe. He has been here 4 months, he hasn’t started yet but we are “ruining him”. Sorry, but I just don’t agree. I’ll keep saying it, and you can keep replying if you want - it’s too early to judge.

From my perspective, that’s just not true. (As in seems dodgy) Underwhelming transfers do happen you know? Didn’t we pay 5m + for Ashley Ward in the 90s? Not that I’d be at that point to Fully judge yet, personally.

How is it patience if I’m prepared to judge someone on a poor cameo out of position, or a succession of substitute appearances? That’s the opposite of patience. You’re basing your total expectation without a start in the league for us and his forest career.... he is 19 for god sake, he’s barely past a graduate. Unlike the suggestions above, I don’t think what he has offered thus far is the maximum either, and I think highly of the manager’s opinion, so if he’s in the squad - it’s on merit. Palmer, who (for all the physical and technical attributes) looked equally clueless and far more lazy when brought on. My low opinion doesn’t stoop to questioning his inclusion in the squad though. Like I’ve said before, I don’t have the arrogance to think I know more from seeing less. You make sense about Graham being streets ahead of anyone else in this setup, and wanting more actual “wingers” - but I don’t understand how a big signing not quite stepping up yet is akin to us giving the reigns to a crooked agent, sticking with and hiring dodgy managers and tieing up and paying off thousands of pounds on poor contracts?

Looks in line to me that on reflection.

Was the goal offside? Apologies for not looking back if it’s already posted.

@blueboy3333 surely “catastrophic mistake” is worse than “fraud”...!

We have 18 professional footballers in a squad yet Ben is his “biggest challenge”? I could understand Rothwell being a preference today in hindsight.

Fee to wage flex.. see page 75 or whatever!

JW upper - serious stick for Ben, average stick (bar from me) for Palmer... sat next to @K-Hod

Nuttall deserves more of a chance but that can only come at the sub for Graham, whereas Ben is more “wide attacking” (although today was poor!) I genuinely feel a change of formation coming but it’s hard to see Dack dropped! 3 at the back could bring another forward in...