Calderwood - Forest Have Laid Down A Marker

The £2.65M signing of Welsh international Robert Earnshaw will be seen as a statement of intent from Nottingham Forest, to the rest of the sides in the Championship next season.

It's believed that the Reds' beat off challenges from Cardiff, Sheffield United and Norwich for the striker, so it will be seen as something of a coup for the club.

Although there have been rumours about Earnie and his lifestyle, you have to trust CC and admit that he hasn't put a foot wrong in the transfer market yet (Lockwood aside).

But he's done his homework and is clearly impressed by the player, as he told the official site. 'What signing Robert has done is set a little bit of a marker, because we have gone and got someone that substantial evidence suggests is good, especially in the Championship, where he has a fantastic record. We did our homework and what we found out about him and the kind of person he is. I really liked him when I met him and was impressed by his desire to go and play football.'

That to me should put to bed any rumours of drinking and attitude problems. He definitely had troubled times whilst with the Mutton Molesters, but then all their players did last season. He does have something to prove and that could well work to the benefit of NFFC. Earnshaw could well be the 20+ goal a season player we've been struggling to find. If he can find his scoring boots again, then things look very bright for the future. That said, we still need a few more additions, but this isn't a bad place to start.