We have moved

To all our readers:

Thanks for joining us, but we have now moved! Please join us at our bigger and better website at www.eighteensixtyfive.co.uk, where we are carrying on with the same old nonsense, but will also be doing regular match reports and podcasts.

Rish and Baz
www.eighteensixtyfive.co.uk

No long-term contract for Colin

No surprise given the large payoffs we have had to make in the past. Would we cry if someone else snapped him up?

However, my favourite bit is about Kris Commons:

we wish him well with the team down the road

The wise words of Sir Brian Clough

Official kit launch

The new kit has been officially launched - I like the stars either side of the badge, and I like the wording around the badge, but unfortunately it does make it look as though it has been sewn-on. The official site features an arty photo gallery, featuring Messrs Wilson, Bennett, McGugan, Smith and Chambers. Apparently the shirt also features the wise words of Sir Brian: "How did we win it? We were very good, simple as that" (can anyone substantiate that?).

I like it, although I will probably stick to my usual policy of waiting two years, and picking it up for £10 from a high street sports shop when it goes out of line.

In other news, the NEP quotes the bronzed one saying that he isn't planning on buying a new right back - I don't have a problem with that, although Chambers does get exposed when playing against a decent winger, I have seen Perchio play really well in both full-back berths, and young Brendan Moloney is now a year older and wiser after his first-team excursions for both the Reds and Chesterfield.

Finally, just a day after reporting that the Zamalek deal may be about to fall flat, the BBC report that Manuel has (finally) left the building. No official word from the club yet though.

Andy Cole facts

I have no idea how much he is bothered by it, but he explicitly said eight years ago that he wanted to be referred to as "Andrew Cole". I found a vaguely amusing article from the time about what the possible implications of such a name change (and look out for the Jonathan Woodgate fact).

Also, did you know that he had a brief assault on the pop charts? Or had you forgotten? Let me remind you (he was still "Andy" Cole then, obviously):

Not Agonegone yet

It seems that there is still more to come with the Agogo-Zamalek saga - this (unofficial) source suggests that it was all a publicity stunt.

Old king Cole?

So I go "off-blog" for one week and it happens to be the busiest week of transfer activity for the Reds! Taking things in chronological order:

• Guy "the Moose" Moussi has signed. He's big, and may well be bad, which aren't going to harm your cause if you are a midfield enforcer. Spotted by former Red David Friio, he almost signed for a couple of French Ligue 1 clubs, but when talks fell through, Friio, Calderwood and Keith Burt snapped him up. Obviously none of us can testify as to his ability (as we haven't actually seen him play yet), but given Forest's recent transfer record, I am hopeful that this will more than offset the departure of Sammy Clingan.
  

• Any hopes of signing Paul Anderson on a permanent deal appear to have been scuppered, as even if he has a successful season with us, he has committed himself to a three-year contract at Anfield.

• Forest have been linked with Joe Garner, although Carlisle deny it. A good young player with a decent goalscoring record, although he is currently injured and predicted to be out until the New Year. I would be happy if he signs, I definitely think he could be one for the future.

• Veteran striker Andy Cole is joining, although as you may be aware, he has now been branded "Andrew". Despite a great goalscoring record, he has always been something of a target for ridicule (including from your author), mainly due to the perception that he needs four chances to score one goal. Let's be honest, he ain't going to play every game (he is 36 now), but will hopefully be great to have around for the odd game and to help coach our forwards on the fine art of scoring goals.

Finally, I am aware that this has been posted elsewhere, but Kris Commons has been making his first appearances as a Derby player - this video link from the BBC shows him appearing to predict a "disastrous season next year", but on closer inspection, it is just him being a bit thick and tripping over his own words. A shame more footballers aren't capable of being as articulate as Notts County and former Mansfield man Neil Mackenzie...

Earnshaw not a-loan

Forest have made their second signing of the summer, with the season-long capture of Paul Anderson from Liverpool. The young winger spent last season at Swansea, who were apparently very keen to keep him for another year. The fact that Anderson is from Melton Mowbray cannot have hurt, although he had reportedly expressed an interest at staying at Swansea for another year - can it be that Nigel Doughty's chequebook forced Anderson and Liverpool's hands? As long as the lad makes a decent effort next season, I am sure most supporters won't care - his record of 8 goals in 27 starts last season suggests that he has some ability.

Characteristically, there was not a word from the City Ground prior to the signing, nor has there been any official news on various other rumours about possible transfer targets:

• Stephen Clemence (defensive midfielder) from Leicester
• Ross McCormack (centre forward) from Motherwell
  
• Matthew Etherington (left winger) from West Ham
• Heidar Helguson (centre forward) from Bolton
  

A further rumour is that Nathan Tyson may turn down the chance to stay at Forest in favour of Bristol City or Norwich.

Me, I don't believe a word of it...