Nicklas Bendtner has done the right things by swallowing pride and dropping down to Nottingham Forest in the Championship
SunSport Football League reporter Tom Barclay gives his lowdown on the Lord's move to the Championship
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“I’VE made many mistakes in my life. It’s in the past. I’m just looking to the future.”
Words from Nicklas Bendtner, at his Nottingham Forest unveiling this week, where he vowed to rid himself of the off-field controversies which have reduced him largely to a comedy character in England and focus on the football.
If only someone had told Forest’s sponsor 888sport, who encouraged fans to tweet in their own versions of the Dane’s infamous nigh-on nude selfie - which has sadly served as a symbol of his wasted potential - with the hashtag #DareToBendtner.
Just a bit of Bendtner banter, the betting company would argue.
Fair enough, but not exactly helpful to a man who badly needs to change his image - both here and back home in Denmark.
Bendtner’s talent has long been overlooked on these shores for all the silliness off the pitch and the risibly cocky statements he’s spouted.
And it seems patience has finally run out back home too.
For all Bendtner’s flop performances in club colours, he regularly delivered for the national team - as 29 international goals proves - and was idolised accordingly.
But two inept displays in Denmark’s play-off clashes against Sweden in Euro 2016 qualifying - fixtures dubbed ‘Bendtner v Ibrahimovic’ in the Danish press - saw the mood change.
Suddenly the public weren’t so forgiving with the PR gaffes and misdemeanours - such as drink-driving and being fined at old club Wolfsburg for sleeping through his alarm.
Yet his move to Championship side Forest still made a big splash in Denmark.
The major news station TV2Sport livestreamed his press conference on their website while three Danish newspaper reporters hot-footed it to be there - despite only being given eight hours’ notice.
Hope remains that he can turn it around.
He’s only 28 and you have to remember this is a player who scored 47 goals for Arsenal, including a Champions League hat-trick against Porto in 2010.
The move to Forest also suggests he has swallowed his pride and realises he needs to take a step down to get himself back on track.
Though his representatives did have to spend an entire month convincing him to pick the rough ‘n ready Championship ahead of more lucrative offers from China and Mexico arrived.
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He is now back in the country where he has produced his best football and where his son Nicholas lives - albeit in London.
There were other interested parties as meetings with QPR and Wolves took place - though Sunderland was never an option.
But Forest are the ones he has plumbed for and while I understand his heavily-incentivised contract means he could be one of the best-paid players in the second tier if he performs, it is still a move that suggests he understands his current standing in the game.
He is a galaxy away from one of best strikers in the world - where he once laughably claimed he was - but he has an opportunity now to rebuild his battered reputation.
Should he have a good season, he will then have one year left at Forest and could very quickly become an attractive proposition for Premier League sides again.
Perhaps then #DareToBendtner can signify daring to turn your life around and finally realise your potential.
Oh Lord, please let it be so.
MAN AND MOOY
HUDDERSFIELD have been mightily impressive this season - and it appears they are impressing other clubs too.
When Manchester City signed Australian Aaron Mooy from sister club Melbourne City this summer, they always planned to immediately loan him out.
The Terriers were disappointed at City snaffling the 25-year-old as they had had their eye on the him for a while.
Yet unbeknown of their interest, City representatives phoned Huddersfield to see if they would take the midfielder on loan this season as they had been so impressed with David Wagner’s style of play and the way they are bringing through youngsters.
It is looking a great move for all parties as Mooy has been Town’s key player in their stunning start, scoring a howitzer in Saturday's win at Leeds.
MEAN TO DEAN
THE curious case of Dean Cox's Orient exit looks to have concluded this week with the striker set to sign for Crawley.
But he can't actually play for his new club until January as Orient terminated his contract after the registration deadline on the final day of the transfer window.
Cox signed a confidentiality agreement as part of his departure from the O's so cannot talk publicly about what went on.
So I'll speak for you Dean - I think you received some pretty shoddy treatment for a player who scored 59 goals in 275 appearances.
Talk about respecting a club legend.
MADDEST MOMENT
Swindon keeper Lawrence Vigoroux had a mare when his clearance was charged down for Chris Maguire.
And he lost it completely late on and was promptly dismissed for raising his hands on Alex MacDonald.
BEST PLAYER
James Coppinger.
The 35-year-old scored one and made two on his 500th appearance for Doncaster.
An amazing achievement unlikely to be replicated.