Reid's request - Spurs his probable destination.

By John Swift
August 4 2004

Andy Reid has submitted a transfer request to Nottingham Forest. The young Irishman has been gaining a reputation for himself and with some dazzling displays now appears to see himself as too good for the Reds.

Andy Reid today has handed a request to be transfer listed over to Joe Kinnear and his staff. Andy Reid was open about his anger at the lack of summer signings, and this latest twist in events is no doubt related. The fans too are unhappy by the seeming lack of progress towards improving the squad. Reid's departure will fulfill his personal dream of playing in the Premiership; however it will not do much to persuade the fans that the club are "serious about promotion" as they claim. A departure of a major star never pleases fans, but at a time when us Forest fans are hardly leaping with joy the departure of Andy Reid is only going to aggravate the masses yet more.

It now seems inevitable that Reid will have to leave. Having a player who doesn't want to play for the club is no good for anyone. Squad morale would fall and paying the wages would become pointless. A player whose heart is no longer in his football will only ever be half the player he was. So if Reid is leaving who would be interested? Tottenham Hotspur offered £5 million for Andy Reid in the January transfer window, and have since offered £3 million. Both offers were rejected by the club; however it would be very hard for them to reject again. White Hart Lane would seem a very probable new home to the stout left-winger.

So how much money could we be receiving for Andy Reid? It is unlikely that £5 million will be offered by anyone now, especially been as they now Forest need to sell realistically. In a transfer market where for £2 million you could have either Rommedahl or Gronkjaer, both Danish internationals, you have to take a reality check and realise Forest would be extremely fortunate to receive an offer of above £3 million. It is likely that any settlement will be between £2 and 3 million. The transfer market is no longer at the height it was a few years back, but of course this means any money received for Reid would also go a lot further.

Reid leaving the City Ground will have effects on the other players, both on the field and off it. But if he were to stay it would be a lot worse for the players now. Having someone around who does not want to play for the club is not good. Luckily we have a left-winger still, in the shape of Kris Commons . When he was signed it triggered me to consider whether it meant Reid would be leaving, and it looks as though he is. Kris Commons may not be Andy Reid, but he has shown he is more than capable of playing at Championship level. Reid's class and creativity down the left will be missed and that should be how we remember him not his lethargic times. After all he did play every competitive game (league and cup). The goal against David James in particular, to salvage a point against the Hammers was masterful.

If Andy Reid does indeed leave then it is important that the money, or at least some of it, from his transfer is re-invested into the squad. If Doughty however decides that that is not right, then there'll be some very angry Forest fans wanting answers. After all, we know we're serious about promotion are you?

Andy Reid may at times not been giving 110% effort for the Reds, but he has given us some good performances and I now feel it benefits all parties that he moves on to a larger club. All that remains is for me to wish good luck to Reid, I've not always been his biggest fan, but respect what he did for the club, and respect his premiership aspirations.