Nottingham Forest fans have mixed feelings on the future of Lewis Grabban after reports have linked him with a move away from the City Ground.
It is being reported that Grabban is a target for former manager Sabri Lamouci who is the new man in charge at Qatari club Al Duhail.
Respected journalist John Percy tweeted the news today. He stated: "Former #nffc manager Sabri Lamouchi - now in charge at Qatari club Al Duhail - is targeting Lewis Grabban for a move before their transfer deadline on October 25. Forest are reluctant to sell but there is a chance something could happen over the weekend."
The news has been met with a split reaction from the Reds faithful.
Dicky Mars82: I hope Hughton has given the nod if this happens
McGoo: Would leave us very short, makes no sense.
Amy Hendley: Take him, hasn’t shown any passion in the last couple of matches and not being funny the goal missed against Rotherham I could have booted in
Likeahealinghand: Would leave us with Taylor and Guerrero (who Hughton apparently doesnt rate) as only strikers.
Debs: I can see how it would benefit Grabbs and I certainly wouldn't blame him for wanting to go at his age but I don't see how it would benefit us with not being able to get in a replacement until January.
Paul Buttery : I guess it will come down to wether Grabban wants it or not. If he demands it then no point in keeping an unhappy player. If he don’t want it then keep him.
Christopher Weaver: Rock and hard place. Sell him and get a fee, down to one proven striker. Don’t sell, potentially got the incredible sulk who is low on confidence and unlikely to score many.
John Paul O'Neill: If he doesn't want to play for us then go but I wonder if he's been made captain to clearly show him he's need here.
Gary Tucker: Can have him if he doesn't want to play for us anymore
It's unclear what Forest's position is at this stage, Chris Hughton recently backed Grabban to get back among the goals.
Hughton says Grabban’s experience was a key factor in choosing him for the Nottingham Forest captaincy.
And he has backed the front man to come good for the Reds, having not found the back of the net so far this season.
Former boss Lamouchi picked Grabban as one of his four skippers for this term, and his successor has kept faith with that selection.
Asked why he feels the forward is the right choice, Hughton told NottinghamshireLive: “His experience and when you look at the squad, apart from the ones who have come through the system, he is one of the longest servers here. I think that means a lot.
“He had captained the team before and I don’t see any reason for that to change.
“Sometimes you want that experienced player who’s got the confidence to want it (the armband), and who has got the awareness and the respect in the changing room.
“But I’ve never put a massive importance on it (the captaincy). There is an importance, there’s no doubt, but not a massive importance.
“You want everybody to step up to the mark and as many leaders in the changing room as possible.”
Grabban has gone 11 games without a goal, stretching back to the last campaign, missing some good chances to get on the scoresheet - including in Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw against Rotherham United.
Hughton insists it has not affected his confidence, however.
“When you’ve got that type of player who’s got that level of experience, first and foremost it’s just to make sure he keeps putting himself in the same positions,” he said.
“What we mustn’t forget is that it was Lewis Grabban who made the goal for us against Rotherham.
“There’s the balance - he didn’t score himself but he’s put one on a plate for Sammy Ameobi.
“He just needs to continue to do the things he’s doing; keep putting yourself in those areas of the pitch and the natural thing for someone like him is it will happen.”
