Will loan move lead to Worrall exit in long run?
BEST OF THE WEEKLY FOREST WEBCHAT
HERE are some of the fans’ questions and answers from the Post’s Forest writer Paul Taylor in his weekly webchat.
Question: Are we not interested in signing Karim Ansarifard anymore? Not heard anything on him in ages
Answer: This is a very delicate situation... one where the club cannot say too much, as they do not want to rock the boat as they look to get all the required approvals for the deal to go through - with the main one being the work permit.
The first attempt to get a work permit was not a successful one... but Forest have continued to work to get the required paperwork in place for the player to sign for them.
Predicting how long that might take is not an exact art.
Forest are obviously hopeful that it will happen sooner, rather than later.
Question: Have you an update of the club’s plans for the stadium as it’s all gone very quiet on this front?
Answer: Nicholas Randall made a comment about hoping to have some news about the stadium, during a sponsor’s lunch in pre-season.
And people took that to mean that there would be an official announcement, within a matter of days.
Forest do have some very grand plans for the City Ground – and a number of different options available to them on that front.
But there are a lot of parties involved in such things... and such plans need to get the backing of everyone for them to get off the ground.
When Forest have all the required pieces of the jigsaw in place, I am 100 percent sure they will make an announcement.
But for now, all the pieces are not in place, so there is not a great deal to announce. Watch this space.
Question: Does Joe Worrell have a future or is it case of raising his stock to sell him next season?
Answer: Firstly, he is only currently on loan at Rangers.
There is no deal in place for them to buy him permanently.
At least no clause was included in the initial deal.
Rangers have made noises about wanting to sign the players they have on loan permanently, in the future.
But Forest, for now, regard it as being a loan deal.
As with any other player, there will be a figure that would prompt Forest to consider selling Worrall.
Only they will know what the price tag would have to be, to prompt them to think about selling him.
And it remains to be seen whether Rangers would be willing to cough up the kind of money to prompt that kind of food for thought.
The end result could be that it increases his value and the kind of money Forest would get for him, if they do decide to sell.
Or, alternatively, whether it sees Worrall return as a more experienced, honed defender - and one who is ready to challenge for a first team place back at the City Ground.
Question: are there any plans to replace Luke Dowling that you are aware of? Answer: For now, there are not any urgent plans to replace Dowling. It will be something the club look at in the longer term.
Part of the reason he departed was that there were a number of senior people at the club who were already capable of fulfilling some of the responsibilities that were part of his role.
There was no fall out; no lack of respect from either side.
He was just not having the kind of influence that he had hoped for.
Question: What’s happening with Tachtsidis and Yacob?
Answer: What was encouraging on Saturday was that Ben Watson and Jack Colback proved that the theory about them not being able to play together was not right.
They are both very good players at this level.
There might still be a lack of pace between them, if they come up against any opponents with a bit of speed about them, in the centre of the pitch.
But they played very well indeed against Middlesbrough.
Adlene Guedioura has had a very positive start to the season.
He has been back to his best in a Forest shirt.
And then there is Liam Bridcutt, who has played very well every time he has had an opportunity.
Yacob and Tachtsidis might have to be patient for just a little while longer.
Yacob, in particular, looks to be a very good signing - and Tachtsidis has good pedigree.
It will be interesting to see what kind of impact he can make, in the longer-term.
Question: Have we got money available for the January window?
Answer: If Aitor Karanka does need to add to his squad in January, in any particular position, he will be backed again.
They do have plenty of strength in depth as it is – in fact, that is an understatement.
But if there was a player available who would bolster their promotion hopes in the second half of the season, he would be supported.
Forest are throwing everything at it and there will be money to spend in January, if Karanka feels it is required.