James Forrest

I said he should get the season, since he seems to be passed the worst of his injuries but my patience is steadily running out with him.

 

Forrest is still the same player he was when he broke through at 17-18. Injuries have no doubt played a major role in his lack of development. I don't think he'll ever fulfil the promise he showed. Good player to have in the squad though.

 

I'd take an 18/19 year old Forrest before 24 year old Forrest any day.

He's worse now, before he was direct and fearless on the ball. He's not now.

 

He is still a young lad making his way in football, worth remembering he broke into the Celtic team as a youngster, give him time.

 

This is how I'm feeling at the moment. Really thought he would be tearing it up already this season but he isn't.

No injuries, no excuse.

Still essentially pre season though and a lot of players aren't playing to the required standard yet.

He needs to up his game and quickly though.

 

He's 24 and has 5 years experience as a first team player behind him. No longer a young player.

 

He has made over 100 Celtic appearances. He isn't a young kid now.

 

Yeah that's a fair point. I do largely blame the injuries for this though. Stalled his development tremendously. Took that fearlessness away from him. Its hard to play fearlessly and at full pace when you know that your body can betray you at any moment. Shame though, I was really excited about him when he broke through.

 

Thought it summed up his attitude when he stupidly kicked the ball out of play for no reason and got booked last night. Needs to realise he's 24 now

 

Been * for the past 3 years - I'd sell to anyone who makes a bid over 2 million.

 

Why would you want to keep him? We need players that can make a difference
Forrest can't at the minute he has regressed which is the main problem
I doubt he will get any better

 

The most infuriating player at Celtic park bags of potential but he persists with the same thing maybe a change of position would help him behind the striker or something forever falling or gets tackled and isn't happy the other player won the ball his passing is shambolic to say the least his finishing is below par. I have seen him score a few belters which makes me think his finishing is there to be worked on but the bhoy can't cross a road somebody needs to tell him he can lift his head and run at the same time GMS has put him to shame imo

 

Having now seen the second half of the game I can say he was * but I'm not worried. I still think he'll come good this season. You don't just sort out these long-term injury problems and then get back to playing well. He still has lots of psychological work to do about trusting his body, etc.

It'll come in time. I still believe he'll come good this season.

 

The thing is, I wouldn't say he was any worse last night, than he is most games he plays for us. That was par for the course for him in my opinion.

 

When he clicks, he still has it. It's too seldom, I admit, but it shows it's a psychological thing with him now. Even in last night's game I thought he had some good moments and then panicked a bit. I agree that if he's still the same in 6 months, that's it for him; but I think we should give him the 6 months. This is precisely what Ronny excels at and I have every confidence Forrest can kick on this season.

When he does, it'll be like a new, very expensive signing!

 

One trick pony but still a decent squad man. More than good enough for SPL.

 

I hope you are right, but I don't share the same optimism. I think he is very limited as well when attacking the opposition fullback. He doesn't really have a trick up his sleeve.

 

Going to go against the grain here and say that his supposed potential is grossly exaggerated. The reason that he's stagnated, or regressed, is I do as much with his poor basic abilities as much as his injuries. For me he's a guy with good pace but poor passing, shooting, work rate and a poor footballing brain.

As with everyone that pulls on the hoops I support him and hope he's successful for us, but I just see him as a very limited, ineffectual player. The contrast in effectiveness between Forrest and GMS has been pretty striking.

 

Imagine we sold him, though, and he went on to play a blinder for whomever he ended up with. :smiley-laughing002:

 

would hope so.
sometimes a change is whats needed