Summer transfer window

[JarrowClaret]

Seems like Joe Worrall is being completely forgotten about in this CB debate, he has played for Forest in the PL and you never know he might save us having to shell out for CJ's replacement when other areas in the squad need addressing..

Yes I forgot about him in my list of CBs at the beginning of last season above, I knew there was name I was missing, thanks!

[randomclaret2]

Yes I forgot about him in my list of CBs at the beginning of last season above, I knew there was name I was missing, thanks!

I'd be happy to be proved wrong, but I havent seen anything in Worrall that makes me think he could be a starter in the Premier League.

[Row x]

I'd be happy to be proved wrong, but I havent seen anything in Worrall that makes me think he could be a starter in the Premier League.

His performances in the premier league?

[Conroy92]

I sometimes wonder if supporters of other clubs are as obsessed with getting former players back in the way some Burnley fans are. So far on this thread I've seen people calling for the return of Heaton, Pope, Tripper, Mee, Taylor, Keane, Cornet, O'Shea & Harwood-Bellis. There may be others too. I don't disagree that most of those were very good for the club, but surely we need to look forward not back?

The problem is, out of the 9 players you've named, 5 would be close to starting, 2 would be great fits for the squad and 2 probably just past it.

I find the obsession is with supporters flagging "people recommending former players".

[Goliath]

Seems like Joe Worrall is being completely forgotten about in this CB debate, he has played for Forest in the PL and you never know he might save us having to shell out for CJ's replacement when other areas in the squad need addressing..

We've seen him play. He's not an option. If he starts for us on the first game of next season, there's not much point of us playing the remaining 37 games

[alwaysaclaret]

I'd be happy to be proved wrong, but I havent seen anything in Worrall that makes me think he could be a starter in the Premier League.

Me neither, far too slow and cumbersome, only thing I could imagine he could give us is heading ability in both boxes, but if caught up field for set pieces for instance would be absolutely screwed, and from what I've said ball playing ability has looked very limited.

[Darnhill Claret]

Eastern European defenders seem to fit into the Premier League very well.

[alwaysaclaret]

His performances in the premier league?

Do you not mean lack of performances, he made 7 appearances 2 seasons ago for forest, maybe there was good reason, he's played very little football since, Premier league standard has only gone one way since, and for the very reason he only made 7 appearances 2 seasons ago he's way off being a 1st or 2nd choice now. As has been said if we're starting with him we may as well not bother with the other 37 games.

[Claretnick]

We've seen him play. He's not an option. If he starts for us on the first game of next season, there's not much point of us playing the remaining 37 games

In a similar way that people thought about CJ at the beginning of last season, written off before he could get a run of games. Oh well, fair enough then....

[Goliath]

In a similar way that people thought about CJ at the beginning of last season, written off before he could get a run of games. Oh well, fair enough then....

You're free to have a different opinionn it makes absolute 0 difference to what happens on the pitch. My opinion is somethings gone very wrong if Worrall starts the season at centre half for us.

[Row x]

Do you not mean lack of performances, he made 7 appearances 2 seasons ago for forest, maybe there was good reason, he's played very little football since, Premier league standard has only gone one way since, and for the very reason he only made 7 appearances 2 seasons ago he's way off being a 1st or 2nd choice now. As has been said if we're starting with him we may as well not bother with the other 37 games.

The 30 games 3 seasons ago?

[fatboy47]

At times Joe looked painfully ponderous last season, even at 2nd tier level.
There may well be good reasons for this....regardless he'll need to find a couple of higher gears if he's to figure next season or he'll be little more than spectator.

[bumba]

In a similar way that people thought about CJ at the beginning of last season, written off before he could get a run of games. Oh well, fair enough then....

Difference being that not many people had seen CJER play much and he was young with high potential that he could only fulfill with game time, Worrall has been around for years he is at his peak and is definitely not going to get any quicker. Forest saw enough of him in the premier league to see he wasn't good enough, many fans around the country would believe Worrall isn't good enough for the premier League and from what I saw of him last season I'd even suggest he isn't even good enough for the top 2 championship sides anymore. Great bloke and I love his professionalism and attitude but I'd be quite happy if he didn't start a premier league game for us at all.

[Wokingclaret]

My Forest work colleague stated when we signed Worrell, excellent in the Championship, not so good in the Prem

[Woodleyclaret]

Imo Joe Worrall is still a good squad player to keep.

[BigGaz]

Allow me to share the following link with you: viewforum.php?f=2

You can use it to create your own thread on any subject you like. (Apologies, just noticed you were not being snarky). I like discussions on the new links, not opinions on the old.

no harm no foul mate.

What do you think of the link to Tony Grant? I think he could be just what we need personally

[Silkyskills1]

Imo Joe Worrall is still a good squad player to keep.

I'm sorry but I don't quite understand what you mean. What is 'a good squad player'? For instance, would you include Ashley Barnes in that category? I mention him because I'm in no way certain what he can provide for the forthcoming season. Would ,say him and Worrall be good squad players next season?

[billyhamilton82]

My Forest work colleague stated when we signed Worrell, excellent in the Championship, not so good in the Prem

Need to sell Worrall and swap for Michael Keane.

I like Worrall as a person/player but however harsh it may seem, Parker needs PL experience, especially in the defence.

No such thing as a good squad player, if we have injuries then he will become first choice and IMO not good enough for the Prem as Forest fans have already confirmed. He has only played a handful of games at Premier league level, Keane has played over 250.

We just need to get a foothold in the division and to do that we need experience.

[RVclaret]

Potential number 2 keeper, offer in for Max Weiß (21) from Karlsruhe:

https://x.com/ggfn_/status/1934979660984791285?s=46

[claretspice]

Difference being that not many people had seen CJER play much and he was young with high potential that he could only fulfill with game time, Worrall has been around for years he is at his peak and is definitely not going to get any quicker. Forest saw enough of him in the premier league to see he wasn't good enough, many fans around the country would believe Worrall isn't good enough for the premier League and from what I saw of him last season I'd even suggest he isn't even good enough for the top 2 championship sides anymore. Great bloke and I love his professionalism and attitude but I'd be quite happy if he didn't start a premier league game for us at all.

That's not what Forest fans have seen though is it? They saw Worrall captain their side to survival in the Premier League in 2022/23. He was a regular whilst they got 38 points that season finishing 16th and 4 points clear of relegation. In total he started 21 games and came on in 9 more, generally for longer than 20-25 5 minutes, so meaningful appearances. Those appearances were pretty well spaced through the season.

That's what we're looking to achieve next season. As Forest looked to build, they moved on from Worrall, although it should be said he started the first 5 games of the 23/24 season in which Forest won 2 and drew 1 (with us) and lost 2 (at Man United and Arsenal).

I don't think Worrall is the sole answer, but as an option in a pool of say 5 centre backs I don't think he's a bad option to have at all. Our ambition next season is to get to 38 points and we don't have too many players who have experience of achieving that. He's certainly a touch short on pace, and as last season wore on his lack of match sharpness was evident, but he was outstanding when we won at Elland Road and but for injury and the outstanding form of Egan Riley he'd have played plenty more.

[burnley007]

Potential number 2 keeper, offer in for Max Weiß (21) from Karlsruhe:

https://x.com/ggfn_/status/1934979660984791285?s=46

Makes good sense. Slowly bring him through.
Played a lot of games last season.
Only 21

"The 21-year-old did not miss a single game for KSC last season as the club finished eighth in the 2.Bundesliga"

[Taffy on the wing]

Seems like Joe Worrall is being completely forgotten about in this CB debate, he has played for Forest in the PL and you never know he might save us having to shell out for CJ's replacement when other areas in the squad need addressing..

He makes Ekdal look like a Cheetah!

[KRBFC]

Not saying I want Keane but we need someone who can defend more than someone who can build the play, we'll have minimal possession in over 90% of our games we won't dominate any game this season so THB would get found out just like he did this season

Well there’s the problem, Keane can’t defend.

[bumba]

Well there’s the problem, Keane can’t defend.

I said 'not saying I want Keane', I haven't suggested we sign him anywhere. Much better options out there than Keane, Mee or THB

[Conroy92]

Manor Soloman link

https://www.footballinsider247.com/excl ... r-solomon/

Surely he would prefer Leeds.

[Hedontplayforyou]

Can’t imagine there’s anything in this.

[Wokingclaret]

Potential number 2 keeper, offer in for Max Weiß (21) from Karlsruhe:

https://x.com/ggfn_/status/1934979660984791285?s=46

As long as Hladky is not number 1

You'd wonder where that leaves him and Green

[ecc]

One from my list early on in the thread . An interesting profile for sure

Hi Hedontplayforyou,

Fair play. I hadn't seen your post.

You may well be aware of another Croatian striker playing in Belgium, Matija Frigan. Like Ivanović, he played at Rijeka. Has been with Westerlo for two seasons. 22. Had a good end to the season.

He's been linked with Hamburg and now Rangers

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/foo ... s-35378140

[Hedontplayforyou]

Hi Hedontplayforyou,

Fair play. I hadn't seen your post.

You may well be aware of another Croatian striker playing in Belgium, Matija Frigan. Like Ivanović, he played at Rijeka. Has been with Westerlo for two seasons. 22. Had a good end to the season.

He's been linked with Hamburg and now Rangers

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/foo ... s-35378140

I don’t know of him, my “list” was put together out of boredom and because folk were moaning about such things . Although it was made with a little bit of realism ( I think) .

I’ll check him out though I don’t mind researching players from afar from time to time.

It’s one of those where if you strike lucky before they make a move to a higher profile league, that you can get a gem for a decent price.

[JarrowClaret]

I'd be happy to be proved wrong, but I havent seen anything in Worrall that makes me think he could be a starter in the Premier League.

Not really my point, but the fact he has played there and done okay should help. He was affected by a broken foot and the 2 CHs form when he got fit last season. He only had a couple of games before getting injured and barely featured after getting fit so a bit harsh to judge him on that.

[FeedTheArf]

Well there’s the problem, Keane can’t defend.

200+ Prem appearances and caps for England would suggest he can defend. He might have gone off the boil the last couple of years but he’s got the kind of experience that our back line is (currently) missing.

We have two choices as I see it. We either go with unproven and young with potential, or take a chance on players like Keane who others have written off. I’d like us to bring in a mixture of both.

[Spike]

Nixon and his competitors are churning out “rumours” linking us with centre halves purely based on Riley leaving

[Father Jack]

Am also hearing enough noise from enough different Evertonian’s at work that they have really lost confidence in Michael Keane and that they believe him to be a shadow of the player that he was when he originally signed.

Appreciate he may just need a change of environment and manager but it definitely makes me concerned that he might not be at the level we remember or that we require next year.

[quoonbeatz]

My boss is an Everton fan and such a big fan of Michael Keane, I gave him a signed photo of the man himself from his Burnley days.

Part of this tale is untrue.

[KRBFC]

200+ Prem appearances and caps for England would suggest he can defend. He might have gone off the boil the last couple of years but he’s got the kind of experience that our back line is (currently) missing.

We have two choices as I see it. We either go with unproven and young with potential, or take a chance on players like Keane who others have written off. I’d like us to bring in a mixture of both.

Sack it then, let’s bring in Wayne Rooney too. He has more England caps than Keane and look at his goal record!

[Vegas Claret]

Sack it then, let’s bring in Wayne Rooney too. He has more England caps than Keane and look at his goal record!

I wouldn't have a clue where to look the stats up but we will give an awful lot of set pieces away next season and he always seems to win more than his fair share of headers (Keane not Rooney !!). I wouldn't write him off so quickly tbh although I'd personally prefer a younger version.

[FeedTheArf]

Sack it then, let’s bring in Wayne Rooney too. He has more England caps than Keane and look at his goal record!

Yep, that’s exactly the same thing

[Mattster]

I wouldn't have a clue where to look the stats up but we will give an awful lot of set pieces away next season and he always seems to win more than his fair share of headers (Keane not Rooney !!). I wouldn't write him off so quickly tbh although I'd personally prefer a younger version.

Last season Keane's aerial duel success rate was 57%.

Harwood-Bellis' was 56%.

[IanMcL]

I'd take Worrall or Ekdal in the Prem over Harwood-Bellis or Keane. No nonsense players who can head and defend. We won't be playing out much or we will be dead!

[ClaretOfMancunia]

I'd take Worrall or Ekdal in the Prem over Harwood-Bellis or Keane. No nonsense players who can head and defend. We won't be playing out much or we will be dead!

Ekdal certainly. Almost forgot we still had him.

[Dark Cloud]

We've seen so little of Ekdal at the higher level, but we have to remember he's been good enough for the Swedish international side, so he's got pedigree and he's got experience. Whether he's the player he was after his lengthy injury we haven't seen, but his loan spell seemed to go really well, notwithstanding that the standard in that league isn't going to be amazing. Ultimately Parker knows the level required to compete in the PL and therefore he also knows which of our current players probably wouldn't cut it. I do agree though that I'd be playing Ekdal and Worrall ahead of THB after his disastrous season with Saints.

[Jakubs Tash]

I believe Matt Williams was at the fixture launch this morning. Was anybody there and what did he have to say? He normally has a few bits of transfer info.

[warksclaret]

Love the way THB has been written off because Saints were very poor last year
I seem to recall Mee and Tarks did ok the the years after our relegation about 4 years ago.
If he was that poor how did he get an England call up?

[Bow]

THB has consecutively been a key part of 2 of the worst premier league defences of recent years. Not sure he’s the answer to any of our issues.

[bumba]

THB has consecutively been a key part of 2 of the worst premier league defences of recent years. Not sure he’s the answer to any of our issues.

Sign him up then he must be a magician to manage that playing one season in the premier league for the same club

[boyyanno]

I'd personally rate THB way above Ekdal.

[woody]

THB has consecutively been a key part of 2 of the worst premier league defences of recent years. Not sure he’s the answer to any of our issues.

Who was the second defence in the Premier League ?

[Mattster]

I'd take Worrall or Ekdal in the Prem over Harwood-Bellis or Keane. No nonsense players who can head and defend. We won't be playing out much or we will be dead!

Ekdal's aerial duel success rate in the Premier League was 31%

Harwood-Bellis' last season was 56%

[ollieclarets8]

Love the way THB has been written off because Saints were very poor last year
I seem to recall Mee and Tarks did ok the the years after our relegation about 4 years ago.
If he was that poor how did he get an England call up?

Also I think Heaton was either relegated or very close before we signed him first time.

[Bow]

Oops! I mistakenly blamed him for our last PL season as well as Southampton this time.

He’s still not what we need though.