McClaren Finds Out That Our T.A.P. ‘Aint All That

Former Forest boss Billy Davies will be laughing his wee sporran off today, following the news that his successor Steve McClaren, is already facing the same problems in the transfer market that he had for almost three years, before being sacked from his post at the City Ground.

McClaren told BBC Radio Nottingham today, that he is considering staying at home, whilst the squad travel out to Portugal on Wednesday for a pre season training camp on the Algarve. The reason behind the decision, lies in the clubs` lack of activity in the transfer market. Since McClaren took charge on June 13, Forest only have the arrival of Andy Reid on a free transfer, to show for their endeavours, despite seeing no less than nine players depart through the exit door.

A rather bemused McClaren said. ‘I want to be with the team but I may have to stay rather than go to Portugal. My most important job at the moment is to make sure we assemble a squad that can compete for promotion. I may have to stay behind and work with the chairman Nigel Doughty and Mark Arthur to make sure we get the right players in.’

If McClaren had any doubts whatsoever about the difficulties his predecessor had in dealing with the much maligned Transfer Acquisitions Panel at NFFC, he sure as hell doesn`t now. The chances of the club landing two of his stated targets, now look to be diminishing by the hour. A deal to bring Newcastle United`s Wayne Routledge to the City Ground, was virtually in the bag on Friday, but a failure to agree personal terms with the player, has allowed Swansea to nip in and offer him the chance to ply his trade in the Premiership next season. It`s now understood that Newcastle have accepted a bid from the newly promoted Welsh club and the deal to sign him up to the Reds`, is hanging by a thread. Any deal to bring Nicky Maynard to the club, looks as far away as it did this time a fortnight ago, when we were yet to offer Bristol City a fee. Maynard was described by McClaren, as his number one target this summer, but it`s widely believed that we haven`t even put an offer in to the Robins yet, who have admitted turning down a substantial bid, believed to be from free spending Leicester City.

If Steve McClaren does opt to miss the trip to Portugal, it will call into question the faith he has in those above him to do their jobs. It may well act as the catalyst needed to get the club moving on the transfer front, but on the other hand, it could be the beginning of yet another difficult relationship, for the manager and the board of NFFC.