Red_Dog

I personally think we would want two for each position. Although the fact he can cover two positions is of great advantage to him. It's so hard to predict at the moment, the rumour mill is obviously going crazy and our owner is talking of not standing still, but going to the Premier League and having an impact over just trying to tread water. We've been linked to a few players at £20m already, so I think we will invest. I hope he gets a chance with us, as i've always had a soft spot for Canada in general since Jim Brennan and I love my Hockey.

Hey guys, Sorry i've taken so long since Sunday. I've been celebrating somewhat. That victory means so, so much to me and every other Forest fan. We have been a top European club previously but for the last two decades, we have been average at best. So to get back into the 'big time' is a big deal. I know i've said it before, but for me, it's akin to Toronto Maple Leafs getting close to the cup again. We have a brilliant history, but it's been a long time since the good times in Nottingham. On Richie, he will have a battle to get a spot next season. We really want to keep Spence, he has declared that he would like to stay, but it depending on how much Middlesborough want (£12-20m apparently). If he we get him back, Richie likely has to accept a season as his back up, if not? who knows, although we would still need another RWB as there's 5 subs in the Prem and it's important you have 2 in each position. Not sure on Richie's personal goals, but obviously playing at the World Cup will be vital to him. As it stands, everything is up in the air. But if he won't start regularly no-one will blame him for wanting a loan/move to make sure he's in the Canada squad and starting 11.

Unfortunately for Richie, unless injury occurs, or we end up being in a losing position at some point in the second leg (Tuesday 1945hrs UK time, so I think 1445hrs Eastern Time in Canada) then he probably will stay on the bench in the next game too. These play-off games are so intense and Sheff Utd's biggest threats come from wide positions - so we are very unlikely to make a change there.

As expected, Laryea starts today. Will be a tough one today vs such an exciting talent in Lewis-Potter. But also a good challenge for him.

This is a very weird generalisation. You keep making the same misunderstanding that I am saying tempo and technical skill are the same. They're not. If you read my post back to you previously - it looks like you've not been reading them properly - I told you about Bouchalakis, who is an incredibly gifted technical footballer who couldn't survive in the Championship. Doesn't mean he's not a good player, he now captains Olympiacos and plays for Greece. But the intensity and importance on structure in such an environment was too much for him. Laryea has barely played yet, but in those few moments I have seen some concerns around his shape in his own defensive third, particularly in a hectic moment, where he totally abandoned his shape to close someone down who wasn't posing a threat. The ball was then played into the space he vacated and the opposition had a free effort on goal. Going forward he's looking exciting and the type to do well here. I have not at any point said he won't make it here, but that it's likely the small details like above, why he's having to wait. We play a particular style of football, regardless of who we play, Peterborough or Liverpool, so it's important the people coming in fit right into it.

I'm not saying the Championship is better than the MLS. I'm not sure Bojan ever did great anywhere, mind. I'm saying they're different. Championship football is widely considered as one of, in not the most competitive and intense league around. It might not be your cup of tea, I imagine it's not a lot of people's, but there's not many leagues like it.

I didn't say it's better, you are missing the point.

Like I said to another poster, players who have been average at our level have come over to the MLS and thrived. The different in intensity here is vast. I think you are taking personal affront to what I am saying, it's not about quality, there's plenty of quality and technically proficient players in the MLS, but it's a very different style and level of intensity here than in the MLS. That is why Laryea hasn't walked into the side here.

I watch football the world over, MLS have moved on a lot over the last decade, yet at the same time, players who were very average over here like Johnny Russell, have gone to the MLS and torn it up... I am not questioning the quality. That's essentially the point I am making, but the style. Championship football is not 'kick and rush'. Don't mistake the intensity for the lack of quality.

It was Steve Cook's father mate. He is apparently stable now thankfully

I'm not sure you totally grasp English football. League One is also incredibly competitive. Players at that level are now succeeding in the Premier League. Go look at Scott Twine this season at MK Dons. That guy will be a Pram player soon. The Championship is a crazy intense league. A prime example is Andreas Bouchalakis. He came to us from Olympiacos, amazing technique, greater passer, couldn't handle the intensity here, he kept getting caught in possession and couldn't handle the game in the defensive third cos of the pace and physicality of it. He's gone back to Olympiacos, is their captain and now starts for the Greek National side. You seem to have a bit of a complex about the Canadian National side from that comment. It's nothing to do with that. But for your to compare the Championship to playing away to the Mexico National side shows you maybe aren't getting the point i'm making. Away from this; Laryea should start tomorrow vs Hull City. We will be resting a few players for the Play-Offs, so he should get a good chance. If he plays on the right, he is in for a tough afternoon, however, as Hull use Keane Lewis-Potter on their left side and he is one of the best talents in the league, he will be a Premier League player next season for sure. Hull will probably get around £15m for him.

You've read into that way too much. It's nothing to do with his pedigree, it's about the position he plays in, the strength of competition we have at the club and the demands of this league. For instance, so far in his 3 short appearances, he has look very comfortable going forwards, and he's created two good chances. However, he has also been caught out the wrong side of the ball on a few occasions and he flies in too quick to opposition players, and gets sidestepped. This happened twice yesterday and it took a brilliant block from another player to cover for him. He hasn't played much because the other players in his position are some of our most important players unfortunately, and they appear to be much more reliable in their own defensive third from current showings, that's why he's having to wait patiently. There are numerous other talented player in our squad also struggling to get time at the minute. Alex Mighten is one of the most naturally talented players i've seen come through our Academy in over a decade, is also struggling to get on much, and that's in a position whereby his defensive shape is less important. Richie is just going to have to to be very patient. Hopefully we beat Bournemouth on Tuesday, then Hull on Saturday and we get automatically promoted, however if we don't and we have to play Middlesborough, Richie will get some opportunities as Spence will be ineligible.

I think Richie may well get to start on Saturday if Colback is out. The way in which Colback went off tells me he has a muscular injury, which is normally a couple of weeks. It will be a great test for Richie at some a key and high pressured time of the season. It is hard to explain the emotions in Nottingham right now, we have been a bad team for a long time, despite having a very proud history, so the notion of success in terms of returning to the Pram after 23 years... it's not quite the same, but to us it's similar to the Maple Leafs winning the Cup. Anyone losing their mind at why Richie hasn't played much yet needs to understand football in this league. I've said it before on here, but it is the most intense and crazy league in Europe. Anyone can beat anyone on any day, with added time games often last 100mins in total and it is relentless. Small mistakes can change the whole game, and it is not uncommon for side to give us 2 goal leads in the last 10/15 mins of games. Swansea recently were winning 4-1 and 3-0 in two different games and drew both games. Furthermore, we have the best RWB in the league, who will definitely leave in the summer. Laryea was signed with this in mind. Our coach, Steve Cooper, will not make big changes and give players minutes just for the sake of it, everything has a purpose. That's why Richie has had to wait. We signed a Paraguayaun international, Brian Ojeda in Jan also, he's played a few games (due to injuries) but doesn't make it in the squads yet. It's a patient and deliberate approach at Forest now, it's why we've had the turnaround we have had and our best season in a long time. It was encouraging to see Richie's burst forward and chance created and hopefully there's a lot of that to come, but I suspect the challenge for him will be what he does in the defensive third. Djed Spence gets a lot of plaudits for his work going forwards, but is a superb 1-on-1 and recovery defender. We commit a lot of men forwards, so there will be lots of occasions Laryea will be asked to work back and handle his man 1-on-1 else we can get opened up, I imagine that's a lot of what is being worked on behind the scenes right now.

Good to see him finally get his debut. Unfortunately for him, Djed Spence has been absolutely fantastic, he will be in the Premier League next season and there's long been talks of a £15-20m move for him. Our coach has turned our fortunes around this season in a way which no-one expected. In his time thus far, we are on League Title winning form. No-one is getting a game purely for the sake of giving them game time. This league is the most unforgiving in Europe. The intensity is crazy and games are often won and lost in the last 10 minutes of games. Laryea will have to remain patient. I still fully suspect he was signed with next season in mind, not this season. He's just had several months to settle in over here, which he will benefit for.

I think he's real opportunities will come next season. Spence is only on loan and even if we got promoted, we won't be able to sign him. Top 10 Premier League clubs will be buying him for £15-20m. We signed Richie with the future in mind. We used to be a very poorly ran club, but things have got a lot better since Dane Murphy came in as CEO, we have a lot more structure and forward thinking. Richie will get some time this season, I am sure, but it will largely be used for him to settle and be ready to go next season.