Jepson On Jarvis And Forest

Forest target Matty Jarvis was predictably back on the agenda ahead of today’s clash with Gillingham – but his manager, Ronnie Jepson, is clearly tiring of the speculation about the winger’s future.

Jarvis turned down a move to the City Ground last month, but seems certain to leave Priestfield at the end of the season.

Forest remain one of his options, while he has also been linked with a move to the Championship.



Jepson stopped short of admitting defeat in the battle to keep Jarvis – but he appeared resigned to losing his star attraction when talking ahead of today’s clash.

‘I have got other lads in that changing room to consider and that is all I am concerned about,’ he said.

‘All my energies at the moment are focused on getting the best out of the lads who are fit and able to produce results for Gillingham.

‘What will be, will be with Matty. I don’t have any control over that. I don’t know if the chairman has spoke to his agent. There’s been a bit of paper-talk but I haven’t spoken to his agent personally.

‘I’ve hardly seen Matty over the past couple of weeks, as he has been on the treatment table, so don’t know if it is affecting him. He must think about it, as we all would.

‘I cannot tell if he is affected by it out on the pitch, though, as he is injured at the moment.

‘He had a bit of a dip, which young lads do. But, overall this season, he has been fantastic for me.

‘Like I have said a million times, he is a great lad to work with, has a lovely way about him and if he decides to go, I wish him well.’

With or without Jarvis, Jepson is envious of the players at Colin Calderwood’s disposal.

But he believes Gillingham can still cause an upset and put a serious dent in Forest’s automatic promotion hopes.

‘Look at their squad, it is an unbelievable set of players they have up there,’ he said. ‘I went down to the Brighton game, where they lost 2-1, but they could easily have been four or five to the good after ten minutes. It just wasn’t their day.

‘We know what to expect as they are a good side. Just looking at their bench, it is quite incredible, and they’ll also have good players sat in the stand as well.

‘You don’t make excuses though. The lads should look forward to it and go show me, the supporters and themselves that they are as good and on a par with them as individuals and as a team.

‘It is a good opportunity for them.

‘It is one that the lads should be looking forward to, I know I am.

‘It is a lovely playing surface and the lads should go there, express themselves and back themselves as a group. Go, enjoy it.

‘It is 11 v 11. They have got supposedly better players in terms of what they have paid for them.




Nottingham Evening Post