Mercer

Could open up a can of worms. Would think O'Brien also not a happy bunny. No longer in the Forest '25', career stalled for the remainder of the season and maybe also suffering financial loss (bonuses etc).

I think the club statement is an embarrassment. I think it's clear they messed up. All that was needed was a two liner: 'We messed up and apologise to our fans, O'Brien and Brierley. We are taking steps to ensure this doesn't happen again'.

I've stated on a number of occasions that, IMO, our football club is severely under managed. This latest shambolic escapade only serves to reinforce my view. I think it's inconceivable Waggott and Pasha opted to be in Birmingham rather than 'on site', whereever that was, when big calls might have been needed to be made in the final hours of the window. Is Sylvester to blame? We can’t be sure. I suspect someone will be made a scapegoat. As for Broughton, I've not been impressed since he arrived. He and his team have had months to plan for this window - result: One loan signing - a winger when the all football world knows we needed a central striker and a combative central midfielder The dispatch of the abject Hirst who was our number one striking target throughout the summer! The dispatch of Markanday to Aberdeen when the lad has shown in glimpses, when give a chance, he might really have something to offer In my opinion, an abysmal window. I think Broughton as DOF should hang his head in shame and should be summarily dismissed. IMO, he's spectacularly failed to deliver - that is the bottom line and there can be no excuses. The whole management at Ewood from top to bottom, IMO, fails to deliver and should be swept away.

When in a hole stop digging! If you'd been round the block a few times you'd know that!

I personally, and I know of other like minded, do not think our owners and senior managers care about the club. IMO, there are too many connected to the club only because it's a gravy train. I do not see a hunger, a passion, a can do attitude that will move the club forward or start to rebuild a meaningful relationship with the fans. I think we are now a club without a soul. I recall the days when you would see the likes of Derrick Keighley, Bill Bancroft and David Brown out about in the area and they'd be only too happy to have a word or two with you. Make no mistake, seismic changes in ownership and management from top to bottom are needed at Rovers. We need people who really do bleed blue and white. Sadly, it might never happen and for that reason, I feel many supporters have been lost for good.

Nail on head. Managed communication can pour oil on troubled waters. Whether you are a shareholder, employee, supplier, customer etc, effective communication can assuage concerns and help take your 'audience' along with you.

Think you are wrong Gav. I know of some dozen folk who go back 50 years or more who have now given up on Rovers.

Wow, if we have the same issue on two deals then it smacks of inefficiency / lack of knowledge. Anyone can make a mistake but two in the final hours of deadline day is totally and completely indefensible Think even less likely now we will see any leeway from the EFL - might suggest the club reviews it's employees' competencies!

Think it depends just how significant that one document was. Wouldn't like to call it - think odds are it wont happen as could set a dangerous precedent. Think @Galgaterover10makes a good point, O'Brien had run out of options - maybe to say we were the club of last resort is a tad unfair but............. I know it's possibly easier said than done but to be at this stage at the 11th hour isn't great - other clubs managed to make signings well before the 31st.

Wow. Think it will all boil down to just how significant the document is they missed!

I feel desperately sorry for O'Brien. Let's just hope it's a small administrative oversight and our appeal is successful. At least it would soften the blow on what has been a very disappointing window. As an absolute minimum, I think Rovers need to review their transfer window planning, strategy and execution. Lessons must be learnt

Forest wouldn't care about any future contract between Rovers and O'Brien should he have become a permanent Rovers' player on promotion to PL - their only concern would have been the £10million fee and that being covered in the loan/transfer agreement. Should Rovers have known about it - yes, should O'Brien have known about it, possibly not as that's what his representatives/advisors are paid to do. Think it's important to recognise/understand the distinction between where a club has an OPTION to buy following a loan period and where a club is CONTRACTUALLY BOUND to buy following a loan period. If you think about what O'Brien would earn as a PL player with Rovers, you are probably looking at a a financial commitment for Rovers approaching £20million (fee and wages) - Broughton and Waggott needed some smart legals involved.

Damage to his career from rotting in the 'reserves' and outside Forest's 25 man PL squad when he could have been playing competitive Championship football with a potential gateway back to the PL.

Just how feckin naive are they at Rovers? I flagged in an earlier post that terms would have had to be agreed with O'Brien to take effect if the conditionality of the contract was realised. If they weren't, it's likely the contract was null and void in any event. This could leave O'Brien in the lurch and it is not beyond the realms of possibility he will seek financial compensation from Rovers for such or even pursue a damage claim on the back of Rovers' alleged negligence.

An appeal will only be accepted on the strongest of grounds. To do otherwise would just open the floodgates both now and in the future. Clubs know what the rules are - there can be no excuses. I rather think the appeal is more about arse saving for one or more at Rovers.

With a potential commitment for £10million down the line you would also want your legal eagles all over the paperwork. Again, at the very least, Broughton would surely have grasped there would be a variation/addendum to the usual contract governing a loan. Furthermore, terms would have had to be agreed with O'Brien to take effect if the conditionality of the contract was realised.

The buck stops with the boss! You delegate only to those who you have complete confidence in regarding their efficiency on matters like this - even then, you carefully monitor and oversee. There can be no excuses.

Think we are just a laughing stock. God knows what the rest of football thinks about us.

Think you are right. Seems to me someone has dropped a real bollock here and we are stuffed. Unbelievable that Rovers seemed to be up against the clock to get the O'Brien paperwork filed by 11.00pm - not as though they were rushed off their feet. Any important contractual agreement should be reviewed several times by at least two pairs of eyes as mistakes can be made and sometimes they are right in your face and you can still 'not see it'. Bottom line is there are simply no excuses.

Usually get my grammar right - apologies, yesterday was a long old day one way or the other and didn't hit the sack until well, well into the early hours of today.

Haven't seen or heard anything from the Forest end to indicate deal done pending EFL ratification. Given the number of transfer deals they seem to SUCCESSFULLY manage (must be 40+ over two windows), gives added grounds for thinking it aint happened.

Difficult to believe the EFL are taking so long to ratify. Think they will have had staff working through the night. So many deals were done and confirmed so close to the wire. Longer it goes on then the more unlikely it has happened.

Not done according to local Nottingham rag: https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/transfer-news/nottingham-forest-january-transfer-deals-8096689

With business transactions you get the feckin deal over the line come what may. There are no excuses for failure.

Almost beyond belief. Think heads need to roll starting with Broughton's. Made my views on him quite clear - way, way out of his depth. A disastrous window. JDT will be fuming.