24 Apr 2014 08:07:24
Had to laugh at good old gary birtles article in the nep. Regarding Matt derbyshire, on the one hand he commends matt for really putting a shift in and looking good with the right service and him not even being given a fair chance. then in the next breath he is saying he's probably not good enough and will be moved on! If he carries on playing as he has done having been given a chance I really can't see us letting him go as he is proving that he is a good striker at this level, and how much would we have to spend to in theory get someone as decent as him? What a nonsense article

1.) 24 Apr 2014
People give GB some stick from time to time. He may not be the best journalist, but he's a Forest man and legend.
Give him a break and take what he and a lot of other ex a Forest players say with a pinch of salt.

{Ed034's Note - nobody says anything different about his playing career with us, which was fantastic, but that does not mean you cannot give him stick about what he writes, which 90% of the time is garbage.

2.) 24 Apr 2014
I wouldn't know, I don't bother reading his articles. Too busy reading what's on this site.
Well done Ed, it must great having your power :-)

{Ed034's Note - Power haha

3.) 24 Apr 2014
Sorry to say Garry Birtles is not a Forest Legend
Not a bad player when given the right service but not a legend

Forever red

4.) 24 Apr 2014
Yes but GB is exactly right. It is not Derbyshires fault that he is not good enough. He should be praised for his effort and attitude and probably should have got a fairer crack of the whip with the strikers we have had to choose from.
Doesn't make him good enough though. that's why we all want quality such as Wickham, Rhodes etc.
Doubt there are many of us who would be happy if Derbyshire was leading our attack next season.

5.) 24 Apr 2014
The thing is strikers can only score if you can play to their strengths. Matts strengths are that he's a clever motivated footballer with excellent movement the service ie through balls for the runs he's made over the past couple of matches have been superb as has been his finishing. He's also excellent in the air. With the service he has the ability to get 20 goals a season easily.

I know it's his opinion but I'd expect gary birtles to realise the above being an ex footballer and having a supposed superior understanding of the game. Not to write Matt off before he's demonstrated otherwise.

6.) 24 Apr 2014
Ureds, if he hasn't had a fair crack of the whip then why wouldn't you not give him his chance? If he carries on playing like he has been then I would be happy to see him lead the line along with another quality addition. I don't see how you can say fans wouldn't be happy if he's scoring good goals!

7.) 24 Apr 2014
I have to agree with forever red I would put Birtles in the legend bracket he doesn't compare to the likes of Shilton, Pearce, Robertson and all the other true legends from our club not a bad player but no legend.

8.) 24 Apr 2014
Apparently though he was a legend of a carpet fitter. Did a very good staircase by all accounts.

9.) 24 Apr 2014
24 Apr 2014 12:55:43
In terms of Derbyshire, I believe Birtles was trying to educate us or remind us of the Total Wage Bill scenario and the existing crop of strikers who will still be on a contract and in contract this summer
I thought he was indicating if there was finance to take a risk and he continues for the next couple of games to contribute the with the same effect then maybe we should take a chance but with the already high striker bill and the need for a proven 20 goals a season striker from another club then maybe it will be the other new man and he will have to go. So for me it would be about off loading such as Cox and co. but I cannot see that happening somehow. My suggestion would be a reduced salary - one year contract and see if he takes the bait. As long as it is better than any League 1 team wages I am sure he would take it and then be in a position in January to re-negotiate a longer contract if he delivers

10.) 24 Apr 2014
The number of legends is not limited. GB was instrumental in our first European cup-winning campaign. I still think back to the day we stunned Liverpool in the first round, and the 2 goals in the 1979 League Cup final. Better than 1 goal in 3 in his first stint, not far off that in his 2nd despite playing centre half on occasions. Yes, GB is a Forest legend.

11.) 24 Apr 2014
In your opinion maybe but not in mine.

{Ed034's Note - and that is why this site is great :-D

12.) 24 Apr 2014
Garry Birtles was surrounded by quality players hence the service he received was second to non
When he moved teams he had to work harder and was not so successful with this type of system

Forever red

13.) 24 Apr 2014
I was standing in the Trent End the night we beat Liverpool in the the European cup, when Birtles scored. Believe me he was a Legend that night