Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper has issued his retained list and it has sparked a bit of debate among fans.
The Reds’ manager is now tasked with strengthening his squad ahead of their return to the Premier League after 23 long years, and there are just a handful of casualties, with Tobias Figueiredo, Gaetan Bong and Carl Jenkinson leaving the City Ground after the expiry of their contracts.
The one decision, however, that has got supporters talking is the club being in discussions with striker Lewis Grabban over a new deal, with his current contract due to expire at the end of the month. The 34-year-old waded in with 13 goals to help the club get promoted this season and is seen as a talismanic figure by some. Others, however, are not convinced he’s good enough to step up for the top flight.
Here’s what fans have been saying:
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Bettor M: Grabban nowhere near good enough for premier league football, strange move.
Gary: Happy Grabbs has been offered a deal. Obviously not going to be an automatic starter in the prem but you can never have enough goals in the squad and he’s definitely capable of coming off the bench and nicking us a goal.
SimpsonsNFFC: Glad to hear the club is working on a new contract for Lewis Grabban.
Rhys Cooper: The question you have to ask with something like this is whether we would want to sign him if he wasn’t already with us on a free. The answer is a definitive and absolute no.
Conor McK: Grabbs influence got him the contract... There is a future coaching role there by the looks of it.
Nottmtrucker: He’s been instrumental to our success this season both on & off the pitch. A new contract is the least we should be offering.
Jonny Antcliffe: Very surprised Grabban is getting a new deal. He’s been a great servant in the Championship, but at 34 in the Premier League, I’m not so sure.
Jay Cluroe: Surridge and Davis were heavy on complementing Grabban about helping them, he will teach our forwards a lot next year.
Mordlaw: Pleased to see Grabbs has been offered a new contract. Even if he doesn’t get much game time, he’s a huge influence in the dressing room & training ground especially with the younger players and he has been a fantastic servant to the club.
Jack J: New contract for grabs? I’m not too sure… With his injury record recently, age and let’s be honest he isn’t prem quality. Personally I’m not too chuffed if he signs a new contract.
Welchy19: As for Grabban - has carried us many times, he’s a goal scorer and we only have Sam so it’s right to retain him.
Sam Crawford: Offering Grabban a deal makes sense imo, he’s not done yet.
Jim Hearson: A Milner-esque reduced one-year deal for Grabbs to keep him around as backup would work for all parties.
Justin Barber: Pleased to see Grabs has been offered a new deal, I’m sure he can be a threat from the bench and will no doubt offer great advice for our front line.
Sam: Wouldn’t surprise me if Grabban’s got offered a player/coach role.
Commander Rapid: I’d take an extra year of Grabs. Think he’d be good for the younger players, but be a threat coming off the bench deep into the second half. Especially with the use of 5 subs.
Richard Tutthill: Grabban being offered a new deal ? Suddenly Morgan Gibbs White seems even more a pipe dream. Free transfers on big wages and European loans.
GregSherwin: Think Grabban can still offer… maybe a bit deeper in 10 role off the bench as well as influencing squad.
Kieran: Glad to see Grabban being given the opportunity to play for us in the Premier League. Hard working and important goals. Fully deserved!
Gras_1964: Great to hear grabbs being offered a new deal. Even just 12 months should suit all parties.
Shane A: So glad for Grabbs!
Shipzz: Surprised bout Grabbs.
