[Devongone]

You're right Theo, from what I have seen of you over the last two seasons Russell needed an O'Brien, because he isn't an action man. Bizarrely Forest already had one in Yates. For all you think you miss Hogg, who has been a wonderful servant, I suspect it is because you won't trust any of the young defensive midfielders you've got to do the job every week. At best they flit and out of favour. AND it is enormously difficult to create something in midfield, when you know if you lose the ball or misplace a pass your defence is a bit make-do and mend, and your forwards aren't quick enough, strong enough, or committed enough if you play the ball into dangerous spaces to make the most of the chance. The option is play safe, avoid the blame and hope you grab a goal from a dead ball.

What was wrong with taking the Forest money was that none of it was invested cleverly back into the team. So now you are a team whose players will all struggle to increase in value. From shit teams everyone looks to pick up talent at bargain basement prices. (If you live in a crappy area, however much you improve your house, you'll struggle to add much value.) As it has turned out you might as well have sold Thomas and Nicholls too, because Sorba has reduced his own value massively this season, and in a failing team Nicholls value will go down as he ages. I don't want it to be like this for you, but most of us have seen it happening at own our clubs and elsewhere. Internally or externally you need rescuing. I'll keep my fingers crossed (which makes goalkeeping difficult ......)

[theo_luddite]

The Hoggmeister missed a load of games last season Devon, but we didn't miss him for the most part as LOB and others stepped up a gear, which wining teams tend to do. Thus Russell was able to take his time and pick some good passes. Losing teams unfortunately tend to go down the gearbox or, as you've seen, go into reverse. We've been no higher than 2nd gear so far, so Russell's cruise control football was never going to be effective. There's a darn good footballer there with the right players around him. Hell, even Ronaldo wasn't that great with players around him that didn't want him there at Old Trafford.