Thomas Rooney brings us his views on the goings on at The City Ground.
Actually, just quickly, I can’t resist a quick mention of all things Norwich. To be honest, us Canaries are fairly happy with life at the moment. The only really disappointing result was the 1-0 defeat against West Brom a few weeks ago.
However, since then, we have beaten Bolton and Sunderland and held our own at Old Trafford. In fact, if we had taken our chances against the Premier League champions, we would have got at least a point, something we deserved on reflection.
It means we have only lost three games this season. The disappointing defeat to West Brom and then to Chelsea and Manchester United – both away, both positive performances despite the defeats. Swansea at Carrow Road is next up – a massive game for us. Bring it on.
Anyway, back to McLaren. When he was appointed, I was actually convinced that he would do a decent job.
Of course many would say I have been proven wrong now that he has resigned after a poor start, but isn’t it just that? A poor start? How can 10 games be enough to judge how things are going?
Obviously I haven’t seen many Forest games this year, but I know that they are a fantastic club with some excellent young players and to see them in somewhat of a crisis after their chairman resigned too is disappointing.
There is a case to suggest this is Forest’s doing of course. Did they make promises to McLaren about transfer dealings that never came through? Should they have backed their man a bit more? It really is a messy situation and one which they need to resolve quickly if they are to have anything like a successful campaign.
Online soccer betting pundits note how McLaren has reportedly told the club that he won’t be after any compensation despite leaving the job so soon after joining and this is of course a bonus for Forest, but is saving money what it is all about? Shouldn’t ambition be the name of the game?
There do seem to be more questions than answers at this stage and perhaps that is the problem. There are even more when you consider what is next for Forest. After 10 games of the Championship season they sit just above the relegation zone without a manager or chairman.
It all goes back to sacking Billy Davies. Was this really the right move? He was developing a young side year by year and reached the play-offs twice. Surely if McLaren was the man to take the team forward instead he should have been given more financial backing?
The slate has been wiped clean for Forest and perhaps this will help move them into a new, more successful era, but the timing of it is horrendous and some damage control needs to be done for sure.
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