The League Table Come May 2019

[Jasper Scarrott]

It will be very tight at the top of the table and impossible to predict but I will at least predict that we will finish in top 6.

my sentiments as well. the dreaded playoffs.

just going to keep my feet on the ground. under psycho we had won the league after 10 games.

That is a point well worth remembering Jock (under psycho we had won the league after 10 games).

It's a marathon not a sprint, we should all remain calm if we don't get off to a great start.

Very good point.  I am going for a second place finish. I am confident that this is our year, everything is in place to have a right good go.

[Strawberry Avenger]

I’m a negative so & so!
8th

Forest finished last season top of the bottom 8.  This season, if they finish top 8 then that is progress.  Good progress...for me.  HOWEVER...

I'm not Marinakis.  

But Forest have spent big, smashing their transfer record to £13 million, recruited a striker for £6 million and spent millions more (reports of £25 million...) to bring in 11(!) players to outfit the squad with two competitive players for each position in the squad.

Forest have gone about their Summer building with an 'Eye of Sauron' razor sharp professionalism of a club that is now well run with people in recruitment who KNOW what they're doing.  Ie.  They've done their homework.  And they've been shrewd in their outgoings too.  Bringing in 1.5 million for MacKay who is OUT, 300-500k for Lichaj (OUT), Kapinao 1 million (out and replaced with a free transfer who is probably better for the Championship and can push Pants...).  So there's 3 million right there.  With nothing more than a blunt, 'X has left the club.' on the website. The days of Forest letting even unwanted players going for nothing are over. It's business! Business that? That buys a decent RB which is the only position which needs quality competition.  Crocks, Cohen, Hobbs and Vaughan?  Out.  ..and their wages along with them.  Pranksters like Cummings? Out, on loan. There's still another 5 or so players to go.  But I'm guessing it won't be long before they do.  With the likes of Ward training with Sheff' UTD. Traore? Gone. Perennial under performers like Henderson, Estimov are also likely to leave.  The old soft touch Forest having ten players sat in the stands, picking up good wages, crocked or underperforming is being bleached out of history as we speak.  Forest have even recruited a new club doctor!  Whether that deals with the gyspy curse of injuries, we'll have to wait and see.  But maybe the new owners saw something in the past arrival of Hobbs and others or the length of treatment time and decided to make a change in recruitment and medical personnel.  Further evidence of overhaul in how Forest recruit and treat players. The players brought in seem to be of a more robust physical and mental condition. Journey men and passengers are out.

Noting the 'sharp' professionalism, Forest removed the players not involved with the squad from the team sheet on the website!

Aitor Karanka has been utterly ruthless in January, bringing in ten players and shipping loads out care of his trusty Chicago Typewriter (following a Preston performance that must have had a Karanka 'paint peeling' response at half time which prompted him to need more than '2-4' players to avoid relegation...)  

That ruthlessness has continued as Forest utterly shelled out a squad of any remaining pretenders, ripping up the carpets, knocking off the plaster, blowing the doors off...ie the Forest squad has been gutted and completely overhauled in a revolution that hasn't been seen for a very long time.

A succession of 6+ managers patchwork of players?  Gone.

In?  Athletes.  Strength.  Balance.  Skill.  Talent.  Height.  Energy.  Pace.  Experience.  Captains (MORE THAN ONE!).  Youth.  Depth.  Quality for each position.  Did I say Balance? ;)  Robustness.  Quality passing.  Hunting in packs.  Extra height in the backline.  Huge depth in midfield.  Wingers.  Defenders.  An experienced goal keeper or TWO!  Championship ready players.  Premier quality players.  Continental players.  A cosmopolitan squad.  A high quality striker.  THREE battle generals!  8 youth players on the pre-season trail.  COMPETITION.  An embarrassment of riches on the subs bench.  No one is guaranteed of their place 'so' much.  This is what has been brought to a revitalised squad which has been re-forged in Karanka's image.

...and with that?  Expectation.

So.  Karanka is ruthless.  Marinakis is ruthless.  The latter has spent 25 million(?) and anything short of a top 6 finish will not go down well. 

Stoke have spent big?  WBA came down with 6 wins in 47 matches?  Swansea are rebuilding.  Boro have Pullis.  There's Villa who has escaped the ignominy of FFP?  There's Derby.  6 teams who were well ahead of Forest last season. And then you have the perennial outside surprise package who comes out of nowhere. Hopefully, that is Forest this time around! I think all of those teams will be beatable with this new look Forest squad. I think Forest will surprise many this season. And that surprise factor may work in Forest's favour.

Short answer.  I full expect, if we sign THAT RB that Forest will have an all out assault on the top 6.  But they haven't been built on, year on year like the teams above.  So expecting the autos would be unfair.  Anything higher than top 6 would be fantastic.  Could we go up via the play offs?  

I think that's a possibility.

If Forest had a 'Vuk' style CM signing and another quality striker? Autos. (Forest possibility need more competition for ACM. But Forest have signed players who can all play that role!)

But bringing in the RB pretty much completes the transfer business...with rumours swirling Forest may yet target that 'other' striker closer to the transfer window deadline. (...and I always thought you need at least two quality strikers to get out of this division.)

So, Karanka, it's over to you. You live and die by the sword.

SA.

[Greek Empire]

I don't know where you will finish, I hope on top.

I can though PROMISE you one thing. Marinakis WILL take you back to the Premier League.

Tell me in 1,2 or 3 years if I am wrong...

[Strawberry Avenger]

This could be one of the most open seasons ever.

- Stoke look strong, but how will all their new players and their new manager gel?
- How will West Brom and Swansea deal with relegation?
- Pulis will make Boro hard to beat but will they score enough goals?
- How will Leeds' notoriously capricious manager get on?
- How will Lampard transition to the life of a manager with the sheep?
- Will Villa keep hold of their big players?
- Will any of the 'near misses' from last season (Preston/Norwich/Brentford/Millwall) kick on?

And regarding us:

- How will a practically whole new team gel?
- How will the overseas players adapt to the Championship?
- Will our lack of pace at centre-half hurt us?
- Will we score enough goals?

So many questions to be answered. I really can't call where we'll end up. I just daren't. I fervently hope that at the start of the 2019/2020 season Aitor Karanka is still our manager. Because that'll mean we've either got promoted, or got close enough to convince Marinakis to give him another year.

:cool:   Agreed.

SA.

---

I don't know where you will finish, I hope on top.

I can though PROMISE you one thing.  Marinakis WILL take you back to the Premier League.

Tell me in 1,2 or 3 years if I am wrong...

I have full faith in that.

SA.

[GaribaldiRED]

I’m a negative so & so!
8th

Forest finished last season top of the bottom 8.  This season, if they finish top 8 then that is progress.  Good progress...for me.  HOWEVER...

I'm not Marinakis.  

But Forest have spent big, smashing their transfer record to £13 million, recruited a striker for £6 million and spent millions more (reports of £25 million...) to bring in 11(!) players to outfit the squad with two competitive players for each position in the squad.

Forest have gone about their Summer building with an 'Eye of Sauron' razor sharp professionalism of a club that is now well run with people in recruitment who KNOW what they're doing.  Ie.  They've done their homework.  And they've been shrewd in their outgoings too.  Bringing in 1.5 million for MacKay who is OUT, 300-500k for Lichaj (OUT), Kapinao 1 million (out and replaced with a free transfer who is probably better for the Championship and can push Pants...).  So there's 3 million right there.  With nothing more than a blunt, 'X has left the club.' on the website.  The days of Forest letting even unwanted players going for nothing are over.  It's business!  Business that?  That buys a decent RB which is the only position which needs quality competition.  Crocks, Cohen, Hobbs and Vaughan?  Out.  ..and their wages along with them.  Pranksters like Cummings?  Out, on loan.  There's still another 5 or so players to go.  But I'm guessing it won't be long before they do.  With the likes of Ward training with Sheff' UTD.  Traore?  Gone.  Perennial under performers like Henderson, Estimov are also likely to leave.  The old soft touch Forest having ten players sat in the stands, picking up good wages, crocked or underperforming is being bleached out of history as we speak.  Forest have even recruited a new club doctor!  Whether that deals with the gyspy curse of injuries, we'll have to wait and see.  But maybe the new owners saw something in the past arrival of Hobbs and others or the length of treatment time and decided to make a change in recruitment and medical personnel.  Further evidence of overhaul in how Forest recruit and treat players.  The players brought in seem to be of a more robust physical and mental condition.  Journey men and passengers are out.

Noting the 'sharp' professionalism, Forest removed the players not involved with the squad from the team sheet on the website!

Aitor Karanka has been utterly ruthless in January, bringing in ten players and shipping loads out care of his trusty Chicago Typewriter (following a Preston performance that must have had a Karanka 'paint peeling' response at half time which prompted him to need more than '2-4' players to avoid relegation...)  

That ruthlessness has continued as Forest utterly shelled out a squad of any remaining pretenders, ripping up the carpets, knocking off the plaster, blowing the doors off...ie the Forest squad has been gutted and completely overhauled in a revolution that hasn't been seen for a very long time.

A succession of 6+ managers patchwork of players?  Gone.

In?  Athletes.  Strength.  Balance.  Skill.  Talent.  Height.  Energy.  Pace.  Experience.  Captains (MORE THAN ONE!).  Youth.  Depth.  Quality for each position.  Did I say Balance? ;)  Robustness.  Quality passing.  Hunting in packs.  Extra height in the backline.  Huge depth in midfield.  Wingers.  Defenders.  An experienced goal keeper or TWO!  Championship ready players.  Premier quality players.  Continental players.  A cosmopolitan squad.  A high quality striker.  THREE battle generals!  8 youth players on the pre-season trail.  COMPETITION.  An embarrassment of riches on the subs bench.  No one is guaranteed of their place 'so' much.  This is what has been brought to a revitalised squad which has been re-forged in Karanka's image.

...and with that?  Expectation.

So.  Karanka is ruthless.  Marinakis is ruthless.  The latter has spent 25 million(?) and anything short of a top 6 finish will not go down well. 

Stoke have spent big?  WBA came down with 6 wins in 47 matches?  Swansea are rebuilding.  Boro have Pullis.  There's Villa who has escaped the ignominy of FFP?  There's Derby.  6 teams who were well ahead of Forest last season.  And then you have the perennial outside surprise package who comes out of nowhere.  Hopefully, that is Forest this time around!  I think all of those teams will be beatable with this new look Forest squad.  I think Forest will surprise many this season.  And that surprise factor may work in Forest's favour.

Short answer.  I full expect, if we sign THAT RB that Forest will have an all out assault on the top 6.  But they haven't been built on, year on year like the teams above.  So expecting the autos would be unfair.  Anything higher than top 6 would be fantastic.  Could we go up via the play offs?  

I think that's a possibility.

If Forest had a 'Vuk' style CM signing and another quality striker?  Autos.  (Forest possibility need more competition for ACM.  But Forest have signed players who can all play that role!)

But bringing in the RB pretty much completes the transfer business...with rumours swirling Forest may yet target that 'other' striker closer to the transfer window deadline.  (...and I always thought you need at least two quality strikers to get out of this division.)

So, Karanka, it's over to you.   You live and die by the sword.

SA.

Great post SA  :cool:

I would maybe add Tomlin. I think we will get him closer to the deadline. Another seasoned pro with lots of ability to support and mentor our existing #10 when needed.

[ThePromisedLand]

I’m a negative so & so!
8th

Forest finished last season top of the bottom 8.  This season, if they finish top 8 then that is progress.  Good progress...for me.  HOWEVER...

I'm not Marinakis.  

But Forest have spent big, smashing their transfer record to £13 million, recruited a striker for £6 million and spent millions more (reports of £25 million...) to bring in 11(!) players to outfit the squad with two competitive players for each position in the squad.

Forest have gone about their Summer building with an 'Eye of Sauron' razor sharp professionalism of a club that is now well run with people in recruitment who KNOW what they're doing.  Ie.  They've done their homework.  And they've been shrewd in their outgoings too.  Bringing in 1.5 million for MacKay who is OUT, 300-500k for Lichaj (OUT), Kapinao 1 million (out and replaced with a free transfer who is probably better for the Championship and can push Pants...).  So there's 3 million right there.  With nothing more than a blunt, 'X has left the club.' on the website.  The days of Forest letting even unwanted players going for nothing are over.  It's business!  Business that?  That buys a decent RB which is the only position which needs quality competition.  Crocks, Cohen, Hobbs and Vaughan?  Out.  ..and their wages along with them.  Pranksters like Cummings?  Out, on loan.  There's still another 5 or so players to go.  But I'm guessing it won't be long before they do.  With the likes of Ward training with Sheff' UTD.  Traore?  Gone.  Perennial under performers like Henderson, Estimov are also likely to leave.  The old soft touch Forest having ten players sat in the stands, picking up good wages, crocked or underperforming is being bleached out of history as we speak.  Forest have even recruited a new club doctor!  Whether that deals with the gyspy curse of injuries, we'll have to wait and see.  But maybe the new owners saw something in the past arrival of Hobbs and others or the length of treatment time and decided to make a change in recruitment and medical personnel.  Further evidence of overhaul in how Forest recruit and treat players.  The players brought in seem to be of a more robust physical and mental condition.  Journey men and passengers are out.

Noting the 'sharp' professionalism, Forest removed the players not involved with the squad from the team sheet on the website!

Aitor Karanka has been utterly ruthless in January, bringing in ten players and shipping loads out care of his trusty Chicago Typewriter (following a Preston performance that must have had a Karanka 'paint peeling' response at half time which prompted him to need more than '2-4' players to avoid relegation...)  

That ruthlessness has continued as Forest utterly shelled out a squad of any remaining pretenders, ripping up the carpets, knocking off the plaster, blowing the doors off...ie the Forest squad has been gutted and completely overhauled in a revolution that hasn't been seen for a very long time.

A succession of 6+ managers patchwork of players?  Gone.

In?  Athletes.  Strength.  Balance.  Skill.  Talent.  Height.  Energy.  Pace.  Experience.  Captains (MORE THAN ONE!).  Youth.  Depth.  Quality for each position.  Did I say Balance? ;)  Robustness.  Quality passing.  Hunting in packs.  Extra height in the backline.  Huge depth in midfield.  Wingers.  Defenders.  An experienced goal keeper or TWO!  Championship ready players.  Premier quality players.  Continental players.  A cosmopolitan squad.  A high quality striker.  THREE battle generals!  8 youth players on the pre-season trail.  COMPETITION.  An embarrassment of riches on the subs bench.  No one is guaranteed of their place 'so' much.  This is what has been brought to a revitalised squad which has been re-forged in Karanka's image.

...and with that?  Expectation.

So.  Karanka is ruthless.  Marinakis is ruthless.  The latter has spent 25 million(?) and anything short of a top 6 finish will not go down well. 

Stoke have spent big?  WBA came down with 6 wins in 47 matches?  Swansea are rebuilding.  Boro have Pullis.  There's Villa who has escaped the ignominy of FFP?  There's Derby.  6 teams who were well ahead of Forest last season.  And then you have the perennial outside surprise package who comes out of nowhere.  Hopefully, that is Forest this time around!  I think all of those teams will be beatable with this new look Forest squad.  I think Forest will surprise many this season.  And that surprise factor may work in Forest's favour.

Short answer.  I full expect, if we sign THAT RB that Forest will have an all out assault on the top 6.  But they haven't been built on, year on year like the teams above.  So expecting the autos would be unfair.  Anything higher than top 6 would be fantastic.  Could we go up via the play offs?  

I think that's a possibility.

If Forest had a 'Vuk' style CM signing and another quality striker?  Autos.  (Forest possibility need more competition for ACM.  But Forest have signed players who can all play that role!)

But bringing in the RB pretty much completes the transfer business...with rumours swirling Forest may yet target that 'other' striker closer to the transfer window deadline.  (...and I always thought you need at least two quality strikers to get out of this division.)

So, Karanka, it's over to you.   You live and die by the sword.

SA.

Great post!

[McDurban]

Looking back over the years it is very difficult to honestly say that this team will secure a play-off position.
I don't think Karanka has the same siege mentality in him as Billy Davies who dragged an average squad into the play-offs.

It certainly looks on paper to be the most balanced squad we've had since promotion back into the Premiership, round pegs in round holes and all that.
It also looks on paper to be the most technically gifted e.g. Carvalho v Majewski, Dias v McCleary, Goncalves v Anderson
Upfront it's on a par Grabban v Earnshaw, what Grabban lacks in dynamism he gains in presence, Dele v Murphy par for the course, just Brereton is an unkown.
Defensively I think Morgan, Wilson, Chambers, Shorey and Gunter had more about them than the current defensive line.
The midfield does look stronger this time round; Waston/Colback/Gueddy/Bridcutt v McGugan/Cohen/McKenna/Moussi

I don't want to get ahead of myself, the teams around us are a lot stronger too.
Looking back though we have faced oblivion on a few occasions, that should not be a problem this season.

2019 5 Karanka
2018 17 Warburton Karanka
2017 21 Montanier Warburton
2016 16 Freedman Williams
2015 14 Pearce Freedman
2014 11 Davies Brazil
2013 8 O'Driscoll McLeish Davies
2012 20 McLaren Cotterill
2011 6 Davies
2010 3 Davies
2009 19 Calderwood Davies

[Salvatore Matrecano]

Looking back over the years it is very difficult to honestly say that this team will secure a play-off position.
I don't think Karanka has the same siege mentality in him as Billy Davies who dragged an average squad into the play-offs.

It certainly looks on paper to be the most balanced squad we've had since promotion back into the Premiership, round pegs in round holes and all that.
It also looks on paper to be the most technically gifted e.g. Carvalho v Majewski, Dias v McCleary, Goncalves v Anderson
Upfront it's on a par Grabban v Earnshaw, what Grabban lacks in dynamism he gains in presence, Dele v Murphy par for the course, just Brereton is an unkown.
Defensively I think Morgan, Wilson, Chambers, Shorey and Gunter had more about them than the current defensive line.
The midfield does look stronger this time round; Waston/Colback/Gueddy/Bridcutt v McGugan/Cohen/McKenna/Moussi

I don't want to get ahead of myself, the teams around us are a lot stronger too.
Looking back though we have faced oblivion on a few occasions, that should not be a problem this season.

2019 5 Karanka
2018 17 Warburton Karanka
2017 21 Montanier Warburton
2016 16 Freedman Williams
2015 14 Pearce Freedman
2014 11 Davies Brazil
2013 8 O'Driscoll McLeish Davies
2012 20 McLaren Cotterill
2011 6 Davies
2010 3 Davies
2009 19 Calderwood Davies

Thats all pretty fair. My big wish for the season ahead is that we dont add to your list of managers and Karanka is still here at the end of it. If so we will have done well and can continue progress whichever league we are in.

For what its worth I will go for a 5th place finish and my first trip to Wembley since 1991.
Boro and Stoke for autos.
Leeds, Swansea, Forest, Brentford (annual surprise package) play offs
Teams to have an unexpected shocker, West Brom, Villa, Frank’s media darlings

[Duncan Mckenzie]

Some cracking posts in this thread lads.

I'll keep it short, head over heart, I reckon we'll finish fourth. It's well within our reach with the squad and manager that we now have.

[Paplane]

Teams like West Brom and Swansea may still loose players to Prem teams yet.

And the loss of Traore from Boro must be a blow to them at this late stage.

Cant see us losing anyone of significance unless Burney come in late with a whopping great offer for Wozza. Even if they do, I think we can cover his departure.

[Username]

I think we’ll finish 7th.

Last day heartbreak to get us fired up for 2019/20 and champions.

[optimistic_red]

i'll be happy with top 6.
last season we finished with 53 points (1.15 per game)

Wolves 99 pts 2.15 per game
Cardiff 90 pts 1.95 per game
Fulham 88 pts 1.91 per game
Aston Villa 83 pts 1.8 per game
Middlesboro 76 pts 1.65 per game
Derby 75 pts 1.63 per game

So its about consistency, 1/2 point more per game gets us to play off, 1 point per game auto.