James Forrest

Would put him out on loan to hibs.

 

Which, given the circumstances in which we play the majority of our games, is a serious problem for a Celtic winger.

 

I said, in this thread i think, months ago that i hoped he never played another game for us. Since then he has had the odd good game but i havent changed my opinion. Has nothing but speed. Makes great runs with the ball at his feet, then runs it out or falls over it. Has a real, couldnt give a * attitude. And thinks he is better than he is (mind you theres a few of them). Cant take on players and beat them, rarely plays a good cross and just gives up when he loses the ball. Sell him to anyone.

 

That's because you're up his *.

He's a coward who can count himself lucky to still be a Celtic player. He's simply not good enough. And considering how pish we are these days, that's pretty damning.

 

Its pretty weird though how a player who's barely started a match for us in the last two months and his had little more than a rare start of a cameo appearance is at the brunt of everyone's frustration's when much more pressing concerns about other players performances should be under a lot more scrutiny and be in line for a lot more criticism.

He hasn't played well in this time period but he's barely started a game, the was one of our best players in Europe and was great in the first few months of the season, his lack form which is coinciding with the rest of the squad ( wonder how that one works) shouldn't involve this level of criticism as he's played so few minutes.

Forrest gets a lot of over the top abuse and criticism, he's a clear scapegoat - If everyone plays badly and he's been somewhat involved in the game, he'll take more stick than anyone, not even criticism just downright abuse.

I'm in no way saying he's perfect or he's been playing well recently, he's attitude can definitely be brought into question and his finishing has a lot to be desired for however there are so many ill informed opinions about him that baffle me, for a start he probably has the best first touch in our squad yet he constantly gets hit with the no technique comments, another thing that is hardly mentioned is his movement you only need to look at how much more Tierney is involved in an attacking sense with him playing their compared to Armstrong, his link up play is also a great attribute.

I obviously have different views on Forrest that a lot of people on here and I've debated it till death, I'll return here once he starts performing again - enjoy slagging his shoulders/neck and the way he runs in the mean time.

 

I've praised Forrest before in this thread but I thought both he and GMS should have been subbed for Allan and Christie early on today. They weren't coping with the system at all and I think the newer players have a better ability when it comes to making things happen with quick incisive passing around the box.

Forrest when he is on form can be a very good wing player but he seems to be very inconsistent. I worry about his place now that Roberts will be on the right wing because that is where Jamesy prefers to play. He was switched there when GMS came off which means he's 3rd choice for RW now. If he can get an understanding with Tierney he could be successful down the left. I think McGregor and Allan are already ahead of him there. Oh yeah and let's not forget Armstrong who keeps getting shoehorned into left wing. I would prefer Forrest over Armstrong in that position every time.

My problem with Forrest is he seems to have a lot more talent than application. If he was braver he'd take the ball past defenders a lot and get to the byline making a dangerous position in which to cross/cut back. Too many times he will just run the ball into a defender because his confidence is low or he lacks the effort.

I think he could still prove useful but as far as a starting place is concerned I don't think he did himself any favours today and I think he is now a bench player. GMS has been scoring goals the last few weeks, that is what we want to see Forrest doing.

He has got more fans than critics I think so I'll probably get reminded of the good things he has brought to the team this season. Fair enough, if he can do it in Europe there's no excuse for not doing it in the SPFL.

If we played a 3 5 2 with Forrest, Allan, Commons, Brown and Roberts in midfield I'd like to see that. As you say he might enjoy linking up better with creative players so it could get the best out of him. Brown could cover defence. I doubt we'll play that formation in a million years.

I wouldn't be disappointed to see him on the teamsheet, I just feel there's a better player in there who doesn't have the courage to come out.

 

Definitely mate. It's also why he looks a better player in Europe for us.

 

You make a lot of good points on here Dev, but I disagree entirely with that.

Average SPL defenders know how to handle him, how would quality left-backs like Azpilicueta & Baines fare? It be an absolute walk in the park. He wouldn't get a game for ANY Premier League side. I see him moving to the likes of Preston or Bristol City, midtable Championship is his level. If he's good enough for the Premier League, why has he only got 12 caps in 5 years over 3 different managers?

I remember ILoveTheCeltic said Forrest was better than Jesse Lingard, think yesterday's strike at Stamford Bridge strongly suggests that isn't true. Forrest could only dream of technique like that. :smiley-laughing002:

He has got slower, can't cross, poor technique, shocking workrate, bad decision-making & runs like a 6 year old girl. What's there to actually like about him mate?

 

I can definitely see where you're coming from but with the amount of space your afforded in that league I think it suits him down to the ground, he'll have all the space to happily run with the ball. He wouldn't be anywhere near one of the best players in the league, I just think it wouldn't be beyond him to play in it.

Of all the criticisms you can aim at him I don't think slows one of them though. His techniques also better than given credit for, he has a good first touch and the ability to turn very, very quickly. He's good at one two's.

He has a lot of weaknesses to his game. Stick him in a counter attacking team down there and he'll do fine. If James McCarthur and Steven Naismith can be called successes down there, two genuinely shocking footballers, Forrest will do just fine. It's not a league that's all it's cracked up to be.

 

Wee flappy armed gimp, is his contract up in the summer then?

 

The thing is he usually does *-all even when he has space. His decision-making & crossing are so poor his pace can barely be utilised effectively. When playing for Scotland he's had space against better sides and he's done zilch in the Dark Blue.

I didn't call him slow, I said he's got slower which I firmly believe to be true. When he first broke through in 2010 he was rapid, he's still clearly fast but I'd say he's lost about 15-20% of that acceleration. When he does a one-two and gets to the byline, the ball goes out tamely for a goalkick half the time as his technique is so poor. If he decides to cross it is usually ends up as GK or a shy too. I would be shocked if a Premier League side actually wanted him, and would be astounded if he was ever a success down there.

James McArthur & Naismith are good players who are effective at what they do in their positions. Naismith is hard-working and has a good eye for goal, he's scored a ton of goals against good sides, Forrest biggest goal was against Shakhter Karagandy. McArthur gets lauded by every EPL manager he's played under so he's doing something right, he's a workhorse and always makes a contribution. There's a reason why both consistantly get a game for Scotland and Forrest is stuck on the bench making rare cameos, the truth is he's a waste of a jersey more often than not.

 

I don't disagree that he can be wasteful. Just that he could be useful in that league.

Not something I feel particularly strongly about.

 

He COULD be, but 95% likely that he wouldn't be. The only way he'd ever get an appearance in the Premier League would be if he went to a Championship side and they got promoted. There's only so much you can defend a winger who can't cross, trackback or make sensible decisions.

So is his contract definitely up in the Summer? Would be madness if we renew it and have to suffer a few more years of this nonsense.

 

You paint quite the picture for defence . All of those reasons are why he should be punted. Bad attitude, can't shoot/cross, inconsistent performances and rarely seen due to injury/attitude etc etc take your pic.

 

For a start he's not been injured in about a years time. I never said he had a bad attitude I said that his attitude can be sometimes brought into question, I think he's a big game player and sometimes look's disinterested something that can be easily coached out of him.

I think he puts in a lot of dangerous balls into the box.

He's performing inconsistently in a team that has been performing inconsistently, that criticism could be made about any player in our squad right now bar Rogic. The point I'm making is its hard for a player to come off the bench and perform well when the rest of the team is playing badly.

 

Forrest has had his chance at Celtic. He is a heartless footballer with no end product. He has pace and * all else. Time to give someone else a chance.

 

Naismith and Forrest are very different players, but give me Naismith any day of the week over Forrest.

His attitude and work rate puts Forrest to shame.

 

Exactly. If you can forget the fact he is/was a hun. Steven Naismith is far more effective than Forrest will ever be and I would take him here in a minute. Forrest on the other hand I would happily see leave.

 

The * can't pass, trap a ball, run with a ball or do much except run about and work hard.

* like Naismith being viewed as a good player is everything wrong with Scottish Football in my opinion.

 

I don't think he is much of a player, however he has a knack of popping up with big goals. He's done very well for himself down in England.

Forrest can only dream of playing for Everton.