ARTICLE: Ekdal goes out on loan

[ksrclaret]

He's 28.

Yes I know. He didn’t look it.

[Ric_C]

He is a top quality championship centre half, is physically good and has a good range of passing.

The only real issue with Ekdal is his injury record.

[Taffy on the wing]

Parker said "out for some time". I doubt we'll see him anytime soon if at all this season

Bummer!......very good player.

[TopCat]

Hate to say it,
But Ekdal is about the best of what we have left if/when CJ and Esteve leave this summer

Surely Beyer will be about next season??

[blatherwickstattoos]

Ekdal is head and shoulders over worrell

[morninbob]

Ekdal is head and shoulders over worrell

Yep, just as slow but far superior distribution.

[blatherwickstattoos]

Yep, just as slow but far superior distribution.

Dangerous from set pieces too. Something we lack this season. Bizarre we let him go on loan.

[boatshed bill]

I was shocked by Worrall’s performance yesterday. He looked every inch the mid-thirties defender whose age had caught up with him.

Everyone can have a bad game though and he’s not been anywhere near that bad in his other games. I must admit to being concerned if or when he becomes a first choice centre half next season.

He did look ponderous. I felt that he and Esteve were often too far apart, but this could have been down to covering the full-backs, I suppose.

[NewClaret]

Feel it was really stupid letting Ekdal go based on Worrall’s showing yesterday and especially given Humphreys injury. He can play right and left centre back too.

We’d better hope that Esteve and CJ stay fit.

[Lakeland Claret]

Feel it was really stupid letting Ekdal go based on Worrall’s showing yesterday and especially given Humphreys injury. He can play right and left centre back too.

We’d better hope that Esteve and CJ stay fit.

He needs to play like Worrall or you might gets some " rusty" performances too

[claretcarrot93]

I'd put him some way behind those two

Still have this opinion?

[jrgbfc]

Tbf to Worrall its not easy getting thrown in when you haven't played for months.

[ClaretTony]

Still have this opinion?

Yes, as I've already said.

[claretcarrot93]

Yes, as I've already said.

Ekdal has never had a game as poor as what Worrall was on Saturday.

[bumba]

Both struggle with pace but I'd personally prefer Ekdal or Worrall

[Bordeauxclaret]

Ekdal’s problem was he was very rarely fit, but he looked a good player when he was.

[ClaretTony]

Ekdal has never had a game as poor as what Worrall was on Saturday.

I've explained why I have the opinion which you clearly disagree with, let's leave it at that.

[KRBFC]

Ekdal always looked a class above this level and cost half what we spent on Worrall, incredibly poor business.

Worrall has looked all over the place every time he’s played for us, he’s sooooo slow.

[claretcarrot93]

Think we are a tad fortunate he got injured so Egan Riley got his chance

[dougcollins]

Worrall had a great career at Forest but he's certainly not looking the part now.

Ekdal a way better option.

[Goliath]

Ekdal always looked a class above this level and cost half what we spent on Worrall, incredibly poor business.

Worrall has looked all over the place every time he’s played for us, he’s sooooo slow.

Never has it been so clear as the first minute when he got in a footrace down the left with Osmojic. It was painful to watch.
I had a bad feeling about the fane just from that moment, you could tell he fancied it against Worrall.

[Goliath]

Never has it been so clear as the first minute when he got in a footrace down the left with Osmojic. It was painful to watch.
I had a bad feeling about the fane just from that moment, you could tell he fancied it against Worrall.

*game

[claretcarrot93]

Never has it been so clear as the first minute when he got in a footrace down the left with Osmojic. It was painful to watch.
I had a bad feeling about the fane just from that moment, you could tell he fancied it against Worrall.

Fair play for calling it an actual race

[beddie]

Never understood why we signed Worrall.

[Der_Groninger_Claret]

For anyone interested, Groningen uploaded an interview with Ekdal today. He talks about his life there and about personal stuff such as that he went to college in the US. Interestingly, from the 7:30 minute mark, Ekdal says he missed some sort of "intimate feeling/connection" with the supporters here. It's not a dig at us at all, he simply states that the fans on the continent "show more passion" than they do in the UK.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPQFfz194dw

[Goliath]

For anyone interested, Groningen uploaded an interview with Ekdal today. He talks about his life there and about personal stuff such as that he went to college in the US. Interestingly, from the 7:30 minute mark, Ekdal says he missed some sort of "intimate feeling/connection" with the supporters here. It's not a dig at us at all, he simply states that the fans on the continent "show more passion" than they do in the UK.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPQFfz194dw

Not the smartest thing to say unless he's pretty sure he'll be leaving. I actually think he's a bit of a fan favourite as well strangely we just never get chance to see him play.

[colne-claret]

Never understood why we signed Worrall.

I guess he was signed as a first team starter. I don’t think anyone expected Egan Riley to keep him out of the team and perform to the level that he has.

[Pickles]

he simply states that the fans on the continent "show more passion" than they do in the UK.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPQFfz194dw

Not wrong though is he.

[dougcollins]

Never understood why we signed Worrall.

To do the Barnes dressing room thing?

Then we got the real Barnes.

[Der_Groninger_Claret]

Not the smartest thing to say unless he's pretty sure he'll be leaving. I actually think he's a bit of a fan favourite as well strangely we just never get chance to see him play.

Maybe Ekdal also meant that it is easier to interact with the fans on the continent than in England, as e.g., Groningen have a "supportershome" (it's basically a pub) where the players and fans can chat and have a drink after each home match.

[Goliath]

Maybe Ekdal also meant that it is easier to interact with the fans on the continent than in England, as e.g., Groningen have a "supportershome" (it's basically a pub) where the players and fans can chat and have a drink after each home match.

Probably but that divide has been created by the players unfortunately. It wasn't long ago that you'd see Burnley players around the town regularly, not so common anymore, think they all spend most of their time in Manchester

[LincsWoldsClaret]

Never has it been so clear as the first minute when he got in a footrace down the left with Osmojic. It was painful to watch.
I had a bad feeling about the fane just from that moment, you could tell he fancied it against Worrall.

No one thinks we bought Worrall for his speed. He’s outstanding in the air though, an obvious leader and only CJER has a better cross field pass.

[Stacks]

To do the Barnes dressing room thing?

Then we got the real Barnes.

Big Joe was captain for Forrest and played in the EPl…Forrest loved him.

Sure, he looked rubbish in the few games he played this year but don’t right him off. Little respect is due.

[Der_Groninger_Claret]

Probably but that divide has been created by the players unfortunately. It wasn't long ago that you'd see Burnley players around the town regularly, not so common anymore, think they all spend most of their time in Manchester

Yeah gone are the times when you could meet Robbie Blake in the local KFC

[Der_Groninger_Claret]

A little update as Ekdal has one game left to play in the Eredivisie this season. He has been a steady, important player, although his lack of pace sometimes showed last match v AZ. Most Groningen fans agree however that he's been class, and that he has also helped to make his CB partner, Blokzijl, a better player. Blokzijl is just 20 years old and I think he is quite similar to Egan-Riley as both have a good passing range. Both the Groningen fans and the board have made it clear that they want to keep Ekdal, but the club probably doesn't have the money. One thing that can help him to stay is when they qualify for next season's Conference League. Groningen can still make the European qualification play-offs, but need to win next weekend away at PEC.

Btw, Blokzijl scored a very important goal today v Ajax in the 100th minute, with the game ending in a 2-2 draw. Ajax seem to have handed the title now to PSV (with Ajax being winless in the last 4 matches), and everyone who is not an Ajax fan enjoys that, because we really dislike the arrogance of that club and Amsterdam's inhabitants in general. Weghorst also plays for them, and he did not take the result well haha, running straight down the tunnel after full time

[ecc]

A little update as Ekdal has one game left to play in the Eredivisie this season. He has been a steady, important player, although his lack of pace sometimes showed last match v AZ. Most Groningen fans agree however that he's been class, and that he has also helped to make his CB partner, Blokzijl, a better player. Blokzijl is just 20 years old and I think he is quite similar to Egan-Riley as both have a good passing range. Both the Groningen fans and the board have made it clear that they want to keep Ekdal, but the club probably doesn't have the money. One thing that can help him to stay is when they qualify for next season's Conference League. Groningen can still make the European qualification play-offs, but need to win next weekend away at PEC.

Btw, Blokzijl scored a very important goal today v Ajax in the 100th minute, with the game ending in a 2-2 draw. Ajax seem to have handed the title now to PSV (with Ajax being winless in the last 4 matches), and everyone who is not an Ajax fan enjoys that, because we really dislike the arrogance of that club and Amsterdam's inhabitants in general. Weghorst also plays for them, and he did not take the result well haha, running straight down the tunnel after full time

Many thanks for the thorough update, DGC.

Whatever happens, his loan there seems to have been a success which is nice.

[Woodleyclaret]

I always thought preinjury he looked a decent player.Hopefully we don't disguard him without a look at his form in preseason

[Murger]

Of the centre backs we have on the books now, not 1 has any real pace.

[fatboy47]

Of the centre backs we have on the books now, not 1 has any real pace.

I'd love to see you and Steve racing for a bus.

[taio]

Of the centre backs we have on the books now, not 1 has any real pace.

I don't know how anyone can watch our games and not see that Esteve is rapid

[matttheclaret]

Of the centre backs we have on the books now, not 1 has any real pace.

Esteve is really quick though?

[claretspice]

I'd also say that Humphreys is pretty quick, certainly by centre half standards. But Esteve is very quick.

[Murger]

I'd love to see you and Steve racing for a bus.

I’d lose in a race to my mum tbh.

[IanMcL]

Of the centre backs we have on the books now, not 1 has any real pace.

Esteve is rapid!

[Im_not_Robbie_Blake]

Esteve can complete a 100 metres race before you can finish saying,'Steeeeeeeeve'.

[ŽižkovClaret]

Yeah gone are the times when you could meet Robbie Blake in the local KFC

Or Glen Little in Corals

[ClaretTony]

Never understood why we signed Worrall.

He's a proven, very good central defender, certainly at Championship level. Over 200 league games for Forest under his belt and just 27 when we signed him. Unfortunately picked up an injury in September and has had only a few minutes here and there since in the league due to CJ's performances.

[NL Claret]

I don’t get the negativity around Worrall, he was loved at Forest.

He’s made 3 appearances for us including 1 in a backs to wall win at Leeds.

He comes across as the model professional and even if he’s just back up his experience and attitude will have a positive impact.

[daveisaclaret]

I don’t get the negativity around Worrall, he was loved at Forest.

He’s made 3 appearances for us including 1 in a backs to wall win at Leeds.

He comes across as the model professional and even if he’s just back up his experience and attitude will have a positive impact.

Plenty on here decided he's no good after the performance at Preston in the cup.

Plenty also decided Pires was no good after that game and had to quickly change their mind, but expecting people to realise you shouldn't judge a player on one bad game is a bit much to ask.

[ClaretTony]

I don’t get the negativity around Worrall, he was loved at Forest.

He’s made 3 appearances for us including 1 in a backs to wall win at Leeds.

He comes across as the model professional and even if he’s just back up his experience and attitude will have a positive impact.

It's beyond me too