Matt
Stuart Pearce
FWIW Sunderland passed on signing him for their League One squad.
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Eric Lichaj
- Thread starter Strummer
- Start date
MASE
Up-Front
Left back looks most pressing at present & I don't have a single positive memory of Lichaj the left back.
Given our history of recruiting ex players/experience, Id prefer we go with a player who wants to prove himself & leave the leadership & mentoring to someone else.
Lichaj lacks pace & delivery, two characteristics that are useful with Hughton in charge.
cheapseats
Grenville Morris
The big positive with him is character-you know you will get honesty and 100% effort.
I'm not against it per se, but I was (we all were lets be honest) hoping for a bit better....
Final thing is the fact he is here doing his coaching badges and working with the U23's suggests his attention has turned to the next phase of his career, whilst its not unheard of for a player at this point to perform, its usually not the case...
But wouldn't be the worst decision we've made at Forest (although that bar is staggeringly low)
Also wouldn't be too averse to him returning on a 1-year deal, if as others have suggested we want to spend this season blooding Lawrence-Gabriel, Richardson, and/or Back. Having an experienced decent pro around as another option, who wouldn't expect huge wages, and is unlikely to stink the place out if he doesn't get much game time would be a good thing. Even though Dawson barely played the last 18 months, both Lamouchi & Hughton spoke very highly of his influence in around the dressing room.
If offered a deal here, with an opportunity to work on his coaching badges if that's what he wants to do, I think he'd jump at the chance given how settled he and his family appeared to be here (I think they still live locally?). Plus i think i'm right in saying if he's part-time coaching in the academy set-up we can exclude some of his wages from FFP calculations?
If none of the three youngsters above prove themselves this coming season, then we can look to bring in a better quality 1st team RB in a year's time, when hopefully we'll have a few more pennies to play with.
So overall, it's a slightly unenthusiastic "yes he'd do for now" from me. Plus, having had the pleasure of watching a couple of games from the supporters club box over the years, which happens to be next door to where some of the players wives & young families sit, I can confirm his wife is as hot in the flesh as various pictures on here suggest. One game in particular springs to mind where I spent a fair proportion of the afternoon looking at her legs rather than the rather turgid football on offer.
If offered a deal here, with an opportunity to work on his coaching badges if that's what he wants to do, I think he'd jump at the chance given how settled he and his family appeared to be here (I think they still live locally?). Plus i think i'm right in saying if he's part-time coaching in the academy set-up we can exclude some of his wages from FFP calculations?
If none of the three youngsters above prove themselves this coming season, then we can look to bring in a better quality 1st team RB in a year's time, when hopefully we'll have a few more pennies to play with.
So overall, it's a slightly unenthusiastic "yes he'd do for now" from me. Plus, having had the pleasure of watching a couple of games from the supporters club box over the years, which happens to be next door to where some of the players wives & young families sit, I can confirm his wife is as hot in the flesh as various pictures on here suggest. One game in particular springs to mind where I spent a fair proportion of the afternoon looking at her legs rather than the rather turgid football on offer.
Mr. Blonde
Jack Burkitt
If he wasn't good enough when we let him go three years ago I fail to see how he's good enough now
Alf-engelos Mindminackers
The Artiste formally known as "Wanksy"
Massive difference, 12 months ago Grabban had potted 20 Goals for us, Lichaj was realesed by relegated Hull, then only made 10 appearances for a Turkish team most would never have heard of.
Grabban had a bad season by his standards but as a squad we were very poor so ear chances were lacking, and from his appearance Vs Crewe he had the energy and drive that is needed even when being played as a number 10 towards the end.
**Edit**
I love Lichaj great guy and was a decent player for us, but we haven't actually missed him.
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Statto
Free Kick Specialist
Wasn't his contract up? And he was signed by BD and JP in that crazy summer so Hull might have offered him more than we could.
We've never really replaced him. We started that season under AK with Janko and Byram on loan who were both biscuits, the season after we were lucky that Cash could play there, then the last season we had Christie. Of all of those, the only one I don't think is really better than him is Cashy.
Mr. Blonde
Jack Burkitt
He signed a contract extension in January 2018 up to summer 2019 so was still under contract when he left that summer, and went for an undisclosed fee.
My point was it's been three years since then. And if he wasn't deemed good enough when he left us, was then released by Hull after they finished bottom of the Championship, and now released by a Turkish side hardly anyone has heard of, I don't see how he's suddenly going to be good enough for a top half Championship finish.
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Mr. Blonde
Jack Burkitt
By the way I have nothing against Eric; he was one of our more likeable players and was a good servant of the club, but he's not what we need for where we want to be
FWIW, I don't think Hull released him because they didn't think he was good enough, it was more because they couldn't afford his wages in League One. He was captain for a fair chunk of his spell there, so clearly held in high regard.
Raymondo Ponte'
It's all about mid-table...
He wa orlus steady owd YeeHii, always gave his best but limited if yur lookin at top six 2cnd division.
DizzyBala
Jack Armstrong
He'd be a last resort kind of signing, I think we can all agree on that and to that end, I'm surprised the sheep haven't had him on trial to be honest.
In fairness to Lichaj, his recent history since leaving us paints a more negative picture of him than is the case.
Hull got rid of him when they went down because they couldn't afford to keep him. They did this to a couple other players too out of contract, including Irvine who was their captain.
When it comes to his time with Fatih Karagumruk, he started off playing every game until he got injured in November then they decided to give their foreign spot to someone else in January.
How many current forest bomb squad players would agree to canceling their contract when it wasn't working out?
He's not really the answer to our problems but in a pinch and on low money, he'd be alright. I'd sure as shit prefer him to Jenkinson, both in footballing terms and in principle.
He's certainly more durable than Jenkinson as a backup, he was a decent defender and as sad as it is to say when it should be a given, he actually gives a toss about the club and it's fans.
In fairness to Lichaj, his recent history since leaving us paints a more negative picture of him than is the case.
Hull got rid of him when they went down because they couldn't afford to keep him. They did this to a couple other players too out of contract, including Irvine who was their captain.
When it comes to his time with Fatih Karagumruk, he started off playing every game until he got injured in November then they decided to give their foreign spot to someone else in January.
How many current forest bomb squad players would agree to canceling their contract when it wasn't working out?
He's not really the answer to our problems but in a pinch and on low money, he'd be alright. I'd sure as shit prefer him to Jenkinson, both in footballing terms and in principle.
He's certainly more durable than Jenkinson as a backup, he was a decent defender and as sad as it is to say when it should be a given, he actually gives a toss about the club and it's fans.
GOBIAS
Ian Bowyer
I can’t believe people are still seriously considering this as in any way a viable signing when we have 2 (possibly 3 if back is ready for the squad) young players in this position. We have jenkinson who is equally as shit but is actually already signed up. He is the age he is and off the back of a season where he has barely played due to injuries. I despair.
Blinkin
Pretend Comedian
As he is the reason I started watching the Reds, just thought be good to update that Lichaj is doing well as the U19 coach with FC Cincinatti the last I heard and seems happy to be there.
Raymondo Ponte'
It's all about mid-table...
Seen him at Direby last season at Prideless, he started a chant when we all prompted "Lihaj Lihaj giv uz a song, Lihaj giv uz a song"
He went at the top ov iz voice "Weeeeeee HATE Derbee an Wee HATE Derbeee......
Brill
Tiff
Matchday Squad
Thomas
AMERICAN IDIOT
Brilliant to hear. I know he was here for a little with our youth coaching setup last season. Will be watching his career with intrigue.
He deserved this.
Harvey
Chrissy Cohen
I miss uneducated commentators calling him "le charge"
MaxiRobriguez
Bob McKinlay
That was his nickname after the Arsenal rout.