Steve Nicholson's Tuesday Talk: Call-ups a reward as criticism of striker Sammon has been harsh

“I didn't say we should be buying prem lge standard players, "we should be looking at promoting our youth with the potential, and bringing in players with the potential." In order to go up and stay up we need to have the nucleas of a prem standard squad before promotion. BD's mistake was to take a lge 1 squad to the premiership via a knockout tournament [play-offs]. We are better now than 4 yrs ago, but we should be better, and the proven 'not good enough' should be moved on quicker with others brought in to replace.”

“The figures being bandied about for Ben Davies varied from £350,000 to £450,000 but Clough dropped out in interview a couple of weeks ago that he cost £150,000, so never believe message board gossip.”

“Did we give Wigan double what they paid for Sammon? The figures have never been reported so it's all guesswork. I honestly doubt it.”

“Love em or hate em.
Forest is the best game we have every year. It 's the one we look for. Do I want them to go up, yes but only if we go up as well.
As for those changing managers Forest have had five managers this season only to find that they should have stuck with the one hey had in the first place.”

“In 1992, 20 years ago we bought kitson for 1.3million. Conor was 600k plus add-ons. (hopefully against reaching 50 goals for the club.) I'm all for getting on the backs of over-payed hasbeens who don't pull their weight, and we all remember what that was like. But whatever his flaws Sammon always puts in ashift. I don't believe he isn't trying to improve. That doesn't negate what is being said about his flaws but Nigel offered him a contract. Was he supposed to say, no thanks I Dont think I'm cut out for the championship? Don't berate one of our own if he's giving his best. What does it accomplish? If you really feel he was a mistake lay the blame and the booing where responsibility lies. NC. Or the board for not backing the manager. Personally I still feel another manager could achieve more than NC. look what George burley had to spend. Two freebies and we were in the top 6.”

“by DBRAM
Tuesday, March 12 2013, 8:16AM
."Yes, Sammon does a job, and one that NC obviously is happy with. But will he ever be prem lge standard, let alone quality


I dont know, I will tell you when he gets some decent supply of crosses or even passes into his path rather than behind him”

“some matches I wish that our defense worked as hard as Sammon . as to quote Radio Derby - we have seen that soft goal before - the defence is giving away such easy goals but there is hardly a critism of them,”

“I think Mr Nicholson you will find that most Derby fans were not naive enough to believe that Connor Sammon was brought in to provide a steady stream of goals. We were told he would provide a focal point for the team when going forward. Something he has patently failed to do.

He rarely, if ever, wins anything in the air and his control can often be described as embarrassing. Indeed Chris Martin made more of a contribution on his home debut against Palace than Sammon has managed in the whole of the season.

What I really fail to understand is how a player who manages one goal in 35 games (approx) for Wigan Athletic can suddenly DOUBLE in value. It is all well and good talking about his work rate and commitment to the cause, but surely these are the minimum requirements we should expect from a professional footballer.

If his contribution to the team was as wonderful as you seem to think then I believe his lack of goals would not even be an issue. The problem is that, apart from his work rate, that overall contribution is minimal and, more often than not, moves break down when the ball arrives at his feet.

I am sure you have your own agenda for writing such an article, but I must say your words remind me of the banal platitudes we are used to hearing from the Derby County boardroom. I for one would be delighted if the local media would focus on the issues that are of genuine concern to supporters rather than produce this sycophantic tripe!”

“Good post Andy. Nice to see a reasoned red. Mind you, when I've seen Cox, he's looked better than certain Derby forwards. Lots of power, pace and ideas.
Forests midfield goals and the teams ability to score late goals are the big difference between us - plus a more robust defence (more experience).
Derby's 1st 11 is fine but no depth available for contingency. Forest don't appear to have a 1st 11 as such and can rotate a big squad. Derby dont seem to be able to rotate or afford to accrue that level of depth. Until we do, we'll not hit top 6 unless miraculously the majority of players can play 40+ games, which is unlikely.
Our last 2 promotion teams had the likes of Van der laan, Powell, Oakley, Igor, Moore etc who were experienced, organised and vocal - add them to the mix of youth we had such as Barnes, Jones, Sturridge etc and for me, that was the successful combination that gets most teams up. Plus the inevitable ability to grind out a 1-0 here and there. See Hull City for this seasons prime example. A more average looking team I've not seen but they know what they're doing and when it counts have added Boyd for the extra spark.”

“Pimpernal having a striker that can score goals doesnt mean ur gunna be pressing top, your above Blackburn and didnt they pay 7 mill for Rhodes and he can score for fun, our midfield has boosted us up the table but without work rate from the likes of Cox they wouldnt allways score. Bigger pic sumtimes.”