Thursday 26 July 2012

Collins signing shows Forest’s professional approach

Nottingham Forest fans should be delighted with the news defender Danny Collins has been brought into a new-look squad.

The centre-half, who can also play at full-back, signed from Stoke City this week after it came apparent he was not part of Tony Pulis’ plans.

With Forest, who hope to win promotion and be back amongst the Betfair Premier League tips in the near future, now under new mega-rich ownership in the form of Kuwait’s Al Hasawi family, fans could have been fantasising over big-money signings flooding into the club.

Collins is hardly a name that will send shirt sales through the roof, but his acquisition is a promising insight into how Forest will stage their push for promotion.

For while Collins isn’t a mega star, he in nevertheless just what Forest need.

Rather than drafting in an expensive overseas player with no real understanding of English football, Forest have bought a man with bags of domestic experience.

Down the pecking order at Stoke, he was loaned out for the majority of last season to Championship clubs Ipswich and West Ham.

He helped the Hammers gain promotion to the Premier League, and scored a crucial last minute equaliser against Leeds at Upton Park in March.

Collins is simply a solid, experienced defender who can steady what is soon to be a rocking ship at the City Ground.

For with new owners comes new expectations, and the Forest players brought in must get used to these straight away.

In Collins, manager Steve Cotterill has a trusted centre-half who can fit immediately into the first XI.

He did so to good success at West Ham, and Cotterill will be hoping those promotion experiences will be harnessed throughout a long season ahead for the Nottingham club.

Get the inside track ahead of the new Championship season with exclusive Lee Dixon analysis on Betfair.

11 comments:

  1. Aside from the fact that Sean O'Driscoll is manager at Forest, a decent article. But since you state that Steve Cotterill is still manager, it shows just how little you actually keep up with football.

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  2. FYI Steve Cotterill was sacked a while back now...

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  3. Ha ha looks like this guy pays more attention to the beer than the footie although if he doesn't know that Forest's manager is Sean O'Driscoll I don't think he's even been in a pub...

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  4. Noel Gallagher26 July 2012 at 13:05

    Good article except error in manager's name. O Driscoll is a solid individual who will get the individuals to steer a promotion bid not some big time charlie. Anderson leaves Forest for Bristol City hardly a progressive career move - was he offered a contract at Forest?

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    1. Dont think he was as ownership was up in the air. Didn't break many pots,shame as a local lad he could have done better - bit of a sick note though.

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  5. Cotterill?????????????????! Keep up!

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  6. Dear oh Dear oh Dear major boob! S.O.D is in not off!

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  7. Too many post match pints. No that can't be right. The season has't started yet. What is your excuse mate?

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  8. YOU CAN NOT TAKE ANYTHING FROM THIS ARTICLE! ONCE HE HAS MADE THE GLARING ERROR OF SUCH AN INTRINSIC POINT AS TO WHO EXACTLY THE MANAGER IS THEN YOU CAN NOT TRUST HIS OPPINION ON THE PLAYER EITHER! DOES HE WORK AT THE NEP BY ANY CHANCE

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  9. Anderson was born in Hull so was not really local. He was a tryer but ultimately he didn't quite have the wherewithal when it came to utilizing his pace and actually getting passed his defender and putting dangerous crosses in.
    SOD is slowly building what appears to be a steady assured defence. Halford would be an excellent addition to this plan.

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