Will Reds pursue Grosicki again in January window?
‘TWEAKS’ TO SQUAD WILL BE NEEDED AT START OF YEAR
WITH the January transfer window not too far away, Nottingham Forest boss Chris Hughton has already acknowledged his intention to make a few “tweaks” to his squad.
Fourteen new signings came through the City Ground doors in the summer but only Anthony Knockaert arrived after Hughton replaced Sabri Lamouchi at the helm.
And with the Reds still languishing in 20th place, the new boss will be analysing where his squad needs improving in order to challenge at the other end of the Championship table.
One of the big questions is, will Kamil Grosicki once again be in the mix?
An attempt to sign the West Bromwich Albion winger in the last window didn’t come off, so will the club try again?
We’ve had a look at this particular transfer link.
A QUICK RECAP... WHAT HAPPENED IN THE SUMMER WINDOW?
Forest agreed terms with the Poland international over a loan move on domestic deadline day in October.
However, there was a dispute about whether paperwork was submitted in time.
The English Football League argued the cut-off point had been missed and, although the Reds challenged that decision, an arbitration hearing ruled against them.
It took almost two weeks for the final ruling to be made, after which the club issued a strongly-worded statement.
It said: “We challenged the decision of the EFL board because we believed that we owed an obligation to the player and our fans to challenge the refusal to permit the registration on the basis of an alleged 20 second delay in submitting one document when every other action taken by the club was in time.
“It is implicit in the arbitrator’s decision that the board could have exercised its discretion lawfully in the circumstances and to have permitted the transfer.
“We believe it is a matter of significant regret that the board exercised its discretion against us and the player when it could have done the opposite. In particular we do not believe the board’s decision was the product of the type of governance needed to enable the EFL to flourish and to provide the fans with a vibrant competition.
“Judging by the numerous expressions of private support that we have received from other Championship rivals we believe we are not alone in holding this view.”
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?
Forest had kept a space in their 25-man EFL squad open for Grosicki. But it is understood once the move fell through, that could then be taken by another player who had previously been left out.
And while he has still yet to make a Premier League appearance this term for the Baggies, the 32-year-old has been welcomed back into the fold by boss Slaven Bilic.
“I said at the time why we were willing to let him go was because we had to offload some players, to bring some players in in very important positions,” Bilic said, after the move collapsed.
“For Grosicki, it’s taken a little bit longer for his case to be resolved, or solved, but of course he’s going to be included.
“We saved that space for him. “As I say, we’re not overloaded in any positions, especially this one.
“He’s an international player, he’s proven in the Premier League.
“He’s played in the World Cup and big tournaments. He’s still in the first XI for Poland.
“He’s going to be included and it’s entirely down to him how much he’s going to play, or be involved.
“Do I like him as a player? Yes I like him a lot. I like him when he’s on fire and top form, then he’s very, very valuable for us. So I’m glad that he stayed.”
WHAT HAS GROSICKI SAID?
It seems he appreciated Forest’s persistence in trying to sign him.
However, he has said he didn’t particularly want to leave The Hawthorns in the first place but felt limited game time could affect his international ambitions with Poland.
“After returning from the October grouping of the Polish national team, on the last day of the transfer window, I found out from the club that we have a large team and there may not be enough space for me,” he said in an interview with sportowefakty.wp. “More specifically: that I will probably not be entered into the tournament.
“I told the sports director that I wanted to fight for my chance in the Premier League and I didn’t mind a transfer.
“Hours flew by and I began to think about the future.
“Not playing in the WBA would complicate my situation in the national team, and soon the European Championships.
“Nottingham Forest had expressed its first interest six weeks earlier, so we and the manager renewed the topic.
“I didn’t smile to leave but on the other hand Nottingham fought a lot for me, which would have to do with playing regularly for this club. They also offered an excellent contract.
“They fought a lot for me in Nottingham, I will definitely keep my fingers crossed for them this season.”
COULD FOREST TRY AGAIN IN JANUARY?
They could. Whether they will or not is a different matter.
They’ve missed out on Grosicki twice now, having tried to sign him prior to his switch to West Brom. So there could be an argument that it’s time to move on and look elsewhere.
Hughton does need to find a way of sparking more creativity in his side, though, and the 32-year-old would fit that bill.
The player’s national team boss, Jerzy Brzeczek, believes he is likely to move on.
“Arek Milik and Kamil Grosicki are very important players of this team, with an incredible quality,” he said. “Personally, I count a lot on them.
“They are not having an easy time today but I think they can change teams as early as January.”
WHAT HAS CHRIS HUGHTON SAID ABOUT IT?
The Reds manager has given little away about his thinking.
Asked about the possibility of moving for Grosicki again when the window reopens he told the Nottingham Post last month: “In every window, every manager and every team will look at the options they’ve got - players you can bring in and players who haven’t played so much.
“That’s the opportunity for every club.”
If the Reds do rekindle their interest, they are likely to face competition for the midfielder’s signature.
Earlier this month, Championship rivals Middlesbrough were linked with a January move, with manager Neil Warnock said to be “assessing” a possible deal.