Slater's post match interviews

[Woodypie]

I couldn't get to the match, so heard the interesting radio interviews yesterday.

First Nolan revealed that several clubs are trying to sign Forte. Then it was noticeable that Noble called all his players by their fore names in his interview - except for "Forte." This was followed by a toe-curling interview with Forte, who to his credit refused to be drawn into slagging off Nolan on air about his and Nolan's "frank" discussion. Two things apparent - Nolan and Forte don't like each other and that Forte would go given the chance- "I am a Notts player for now." Interesting to see what happens on Friday, I suspect Forte won't start, which given Stead's level of impact is ridiculous and could well lead to Forte's departure.

[sidders]

I couldn't get to the match, so heard the interesting radio interviews yesterday.

First Nolan revealed that several clubs are trying to sign Forte. Then it was noticeable that Noble called all his players by their fore names in his interview - except for "Forte." This was followed by a toe-curling interview with Forte, who to his credit refused to be drawn into slagging off Nolan on air about his and Nolan's "frank" discussion. Two things apparent - Nolan and Forte don't like each other and that Forte would go given the chance- "I am a Notts player for now." Interesting to see what happens on Friday, I suspect Forte won't start, which given Stead's level of impact is ridiculous and could well lead to Forte's departure.

I hate it when managers get personal about their players. Whether or not you dislike someone as a person should not interfere with your judgement as to their capabilities as a player.
Mourinho went down this path with his Chelsea players and look what it did to him and his team.
I know Kevin is a god right now and criticism is unwanted but this appears to be a cloud on his horizon. It's clear that Forte is a player Notts need at this point of the season.

[ancientpie]

I couldn't get to the match, so heard the interesting radio interviews yesterday.

First Nolan revealed that several clubs are trying to sign Forte. Then it was noticeable that Noble called all his players by their fore names in his interview - except for "Forte." This was followed by a toe-curling interview with Forte, who to his credit refused to be drawn into slagging off Nolan on air about his and Nolan's "frank" discussion. Two things apparent - Nolan and Forte don't like each other and that Forte would go given the chance- "I am a Notts player for now." Interesting to see what happens on Friday, I suspect Forte won't start, which given Stead's level of impact is ridiculous and could well lead to Forte's departure.

I heard the interview & it certainly sounded like there was "needle" between them, it seems KN told Forte exactly what was expected from him & to his credit he seems to have reacted. If Forte is not in the starting 11 on Friday I will be disappointed in KN & would expect JF to ask for a transfer.

[kill_the_drum]

I couldn't get to the match, so heard the interesting radio interviews yesterday.

First Nolan revealed that several clubs are trying to sign Forte. Then it was noticeable that Noble called all his players by their fore names in his interview - except for "Forte." This was followed by a toe-curling interview with Forte, who to his credit refused to be drawn into slagging off Nolan on air about his and Nolan's "frank" discussion. Two things apparent - Nolan and Forte don't like each other and that Forte would go given the chance- "I am a Notts player for now." Interesting to see what happens on Friday, I suspect Forte won't start, which given Stead's level of impact is ridiculous and could well lead to Forte's departure.

It's always interesting when these issues arise. There's obviously something going on behind the scenes or on the training ground. If Nolan is trying to instill a certain culture or ethic and a player doesn't subscribe to it, what does he do if that player should be in the team?
If he plays him it undermines what he's trying to do, if he doesn't then you get fan unrest.

[keldsyke]

I'm guessing Lee Hughes is a good example of that ( and McLeod), the only thing you can do is keep banging them in.

[BigFatPie]

I only heard the interview with Forte and I was impressed with Charlie Slater's willingness to ask and then persist with the difficult questions, particularly after the player has scored and we've won the game.

Dunno what's gone on between Nolan and Forte, but I would be pulling out the stops to keep him and start him next Friday. Stead is past it, and we only appear to be in the market for young loan strikers who may well be gone again at Christmas. Forte's pace could be ***** this season.

[60YearsAPie]

Here’s the post match interviews.

Kevin Nolan at 17:10

Jonathan Forte at 26:40

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05bf5ld#play

[durhampie]

Here’s the post match interviews.

Kevin Nolan at 17:10

Jonathan Forte at 26:40

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05bf5ld#play


You should always play the best eleven, and this season John Stead has not been one of them.. He should have been released at the end of last season. JF should be in the starting line up every game. Its only when he comes on that we look like scoring..If Stead had remained on the pitch yesterday we would have lost the game....

[Notts78]

Though I agree that we need someone with pace and movement up front (Forte fits the bill), it should not come at all costs. As mentioned we do not know what is happening behind the scenes. We don't know if Forte has done something he shouldn't, and Nolan is reprimanding him or if Forte is not putting in the effort in training. There could be one of a million reasons that that has caused the relationship between player and manager to breakdown, we simply don't know. There have been countless occasions in football when a player easily good enough for first team football has been frozen out, just look at Chelsea at the moment.

[KeepTheMagpieFlyingH]

I think Forte should start but I also see now why he doesn't. I started to think KN was inept..it's now clear that he won't be undermined as KTD says..and I have respect that.

Forte's proving difficult to manage..he's not exactly irreplaceable..he's just got a attribute that gives us a different dynamic but that attribute is at a premium..Rock and a hard place for Nolan.

[irish_pie]

I couldn't get to the match, so heard the interesting radio interviews yesterday.

First Nolan revealed that several clubs are trying to sign Forte. Then it was noticeable that Noble called all his players by their fore names in his interview - except for "Forte." This was followed by a toe-curling interview with Forte, who to his credit refused to be drawn into slagging off Nolan on air about his and Nolan's "frank" discussion. Two things apparent - Nolan and Forte don't like each other and that Forte would go given the chance- "I am a Notts player for now." Interesting to see what happens on Friday, I suspect Forte won't start, which given Stead's level of impact is ridiculous and could well lead to Forte's departure.

Its a shame when the player and manager relationship breaks down and its very seldom the 2 will co-exist at the club so this could be the end of JF, its a shame as i like the guy and still think he is a huge part of the season ahead... but if he goes I certainly hope KN has a ready made replacement in the wings because the thoughts of a front 2 of Shola and Stead for the rest of the season is a scary one

[kill_the_drum]

I do also think that although Forte has scored a couple of goals and deserves a place in the team, his stock is being artificially inflated by some fans as they just don't like Stead.
This isn't Forte's first season with us and I saw little last season to suggest he would be a consistent asset to the team.
Personally I think we still need to bring in a striker to partner Ameobi.

[keldsyke]

I do also think that although Forte has scored a couple of goals and deserves a place in the team, his stock is being artificially inflated by some fans as they just don't like Stead.
This isn't Forte's first season with us and I saw little last season to suggest he would be a consistent asset to the team.
Personally I think we still need to bring in a striker to partner Ameobi.

Spot on, he's done little in this current contract that got anyone excited before. I think we need someone new in to rotate with Stead and Ameobi, Forte doing something when he feels like putting the effort in isn't I'm guessing what KN wants in the squad.

[ancientpie]

I do also think that although Forte has scored a couple of goals and deserves a place in the team, his stock is being artificially inflated by some fans as they just don't like Stead.
This isn't Forte's first season with us and I saw little last season to suggest he would be a consistent asset to the team.
Personally I think we still need to bring in a striker to partner Ameobi.

Although I have never been a great fan of Forte he has had little chance to prove himself since he rejoined, when he has been played it has mainly been as a winger or on a couple of occasions along side Stead. The Stead Ameobi partnership doesn't look mobile or dangerous & in all honesty didn't for long periods of last season, if we can bring in a better new striker then great but they are rare & tend to be expensive,Forte has shown in the last couple of games that he can score at this level, he was unlucky not to get 2 yesterday & his efforts certainly led to the 4th goal, so although I agree that he may not be the long term answer I think he deserves a chance. I don't think that fans dislike Stead & he may yet have a big part to play in our season but he has looked "out of sorts" ever since the America rumours started & with Ameobi having such a large part to play in KNs style it makes sense to rest Stead for a while imo.

[durhampie]

I do also think that although Forte has scored a couple of goals and deserves a place in the team, his stock is being artificially inflated by some fans as they just don't like Stead.
This isn't Forte's first season with us and I saw little last season to suggest he would be a consistent asset to the team.
Personally I think we still need to bring in a striker to partner Ameobi.

Perhaps the reason he hasnt looked so good in previous seasons is becausr he has been played on the wing...

[Freeman25]

Its only when he comes on that we look like scoring..


This despite the fact that we'd scored twice with him on the pitch?



Personally I think we still need to bring in a striker to partner Ameobi.

Agreed.


I don't think Forte brings a lot to the TEAM despite the fact that he scored a poachers goal similar to the one Hollis scored against Everton, I don't see people crying out for him to be brought back into the side. At home we could probably get away with Forte starting but in tough away games I think he's better coming off the bench.

[SmiffyPie]

I tell you that without a doubt the tension, if there is any, between KN and JF will be because JF thinks he should be playing and is letting KN know. KN will be showing JF who the boss is.

[Proudpie]

We need a younger striker with pace
Release Forte
He isnt the answer

[kill_the_drum]

Perhaps the reason he hasnt looked so good in previous seasons is becausr he has been played on the wing...

And he's also played plenty of games up top.
The irony being I think he's played better on the wing as he's not got a bad cross on him.

[Oldstripy]

KN said that some players would be coming in and some going out this transfer window, could be that the club have not been able up to now to get a striker in to let Forte go, lets see what happens in the last days of the transfer window.

[slack_pie]

If we let Forte go, will we realistically replace him with someone better, or even like for like? At this stage of the window, I highly doubt it. So we'll be left with young, unproven loans. Decent strikers are hard to come by, and while Forte isn't the greatest, he's certainly good enough to get double figures. I hope KN an JF can work through their issues so we can play our best 11 on Friday.