Memphis

Ben Arfa is Tunisian by descent.

If the agreement is an 800k loan fee with a future purchase option, as the OM president seemed to infer (although who can say with the dodgy translations and all), and if that future purchase option isn't a completely nonsensical amount of money, then the transfer would make perfect sense for us at this time. Even without the purchase option, it makes sense as a risk reducing move that should inject the side with desperately needed creativity in a critical (hopefully) consolidating season. Relatively small monetary risk, potentially enormous on-pitch reward this season, and perhaps even a possibility to make the deal permanent should he be a success. If he is a moody sulky little cunt, there's no long-term problem as he will be simple to get rid of. Given the considerable lack of creativity in the present starting XI, I cannot for the life of me imagine why anyone would thumb their noses at the prospect of signing a 23 year old with a solid pedigree and unquestioned talent who is seemingly motivated for whatever reason to come to us. Are we really that blessed with talent?

Fair play to any actual player wanting to communicate directly on a forum but it's a spectacularly bad idea for so many reasons.

Young, English, decent w/ potential to be slightly better than decent. Versatile. Inexpensive. If he and Perch are the only signings, we've got a problem. If not, I see no problem whatsoever.

Comfirmed then.

He doesn't, but he is a Forest supporter and a journalist, so I'd expect him to have a source or two within the Forest setup. Seems plausible enough to me.

From Daniel Taylor of the Guardian's Twitter:

Also impressed with our new Ass't Manager Colin Colderwood

2-1 Leeds. Beckford. Bristol Rovers collapsing like you would not believe.

Bristol Rovers are all over the place now. Leeds should have just made it 2-1.

Leeds levels it. 1-1 Jonny Howson.

Looks like a very, very, very poor man's Shaun Wright-Phillips with an attitude problem.

Gradel pushed a Rovers man down then stamped his foot, then refused to leave the pitch - Beckford had to fairly drag him off the pitch or else he wouldn't have gone. Very tense scene now - wouldn't be surprised to see another red.

Messi is the Nile Ranger of Barcelona.

YYYYEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jose was absolutely beyond brilliant - just a joy to watch. Seeing his reaction after the goal showed you everything you need to know about how much this club means to him. Great great night.

Will take it.

Deserved. And probably coming even without Butt coming on. But the substitution was indefensible.

When you need that extra yard of pace and inspiration away from home, you definitely think about Nicky Butt. /hughton

Tactical fucking wizardry here.

It will be a miracle if we can hold on to a draw here. No ambition at all. No energy. Just absorbing pressure with our almost entirely second choice back 4. Recipe for disaster.

Apparently quite a few of the seats at the Riverside are virgins too, having never had any human contact.

The way this commentator goes on, you'd think Scott McDonald was Cristiano Ronaldo.

Guthrie and Nolan have been absolutely abysmal in the center of the park. Just horrendous. We scored on our only actual moment of quality in the half - credit to Jonas for the pass and a tidy finish from Lovelypants. And fair play to Colo, who has been solid as normal. Kadar looks as good as you would expect a 5th choice CB plaing out of position to look. The pitch looks dodgy as hell. Bobbles all over the place.

This is just miserable football. Neither team can string two passes together. Glad we got an early goal. Just kick it around the rugby pitch for 40 minutes or so and get the hell back home.