lost that loving feeling

Due to the current financial situation Forest find themselves in, young star Jermaine Jenas has been sold to Newcastle United for £5 million. This latest setback is very disappointing for all Reds fans, but the deal was necessary for the future of the club. But that doesn't make it any easier to accept.

Over the last year, JJ has become a fans' favourite down at the City Ground. When he made his Forest debut last season at the age of 17, it was clear to see that the lad had huge potential and one day would play at the top. However, under David Platt he only made one more appearance. But since Paul Hart has taken over as manager, Jenas has shown his true quality.

Before his move to Newcastle, he had made 33 first team appearances and scored four goals in a young, promising team. At the start of the current campaign Jermaine, along with other young stars, signed a new 5-year contract. Jenas has had an amazing start to his career and it has resulted in glowing praise from a number of people. Every week there seemed to be something in the papers about the future of JJ and recently it has affected him on the pitch. He was the youngest player to captain the club back in December when Forest played Watford at the City Ground, and what a proud day it was for him. The Nottingham born star was a fan as a young lad and there's no doubt that he loves the club as much as we all do.

His career so far has been nothing short of outstanding. Not only was he impressing Forest fans with his talent, but scouts from up and down the country were coming to see him on a weekly basis. These included representatives from Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester United, Chelsea and many more. A reward for his hard work came earlier this season when he was called up to play for the England U19's and, to his surprise, was made captain.

In my opinion, JJ was very unlucky not to be picked for the U21's, but captaining your country at any level is an honour and I'm sure he will go on and have a bright international career and maybe even captain England at senior level.

So what does the future hold for Jenas? If he stays injury free then there should be no stopping him. First of all, he will have to earn his place in the Newcastle first team and establish himself as a regular in Bobby Robson's side. When that goal has been achieved, which shouldn't take too long, then he will set the Premiership alight!

There's no doubt Jenas is one of England's brightest young stars and the lad shouldn't be fazed by some of the challenges that lay ahead. There aren't many players that JJ should be scared of because he has enough skill to beat the best. His attitude is fantastic and that will stand him in good stead for the future.

He has a very bright future ahead of him and Paul Hart deserves the credit for that. Without his influence I'm sure I wouldn't be writing about the £5 million transfer of Jermaine Jenas because Harty has made him into what he is today.

There was another outgoing down at the City Ground last week with Stern John making the short trip to Birmingham to join them in a deal worth around £100,000. Now that transfer fee may seem small for a player who has scored 14 goals this season but not only does his contract run out at the end of the current campaign, there is a ridiculous clause in his deal. When he scores 15 goals the club has to pay the MLS £180,000 and for every goal over 15 the club have to pay an extra fee of around £30,000. Whoever allowed that clause to be put in the contract needs shooting; it was either bad business knowledge or they had little faith in Stern reaching that figure. The club can't afford that kind of cash and therefore have to sell him, and I can't blame them for wanting some money instead of letting him leave for free.

We all know about the mess Forest find themselves in financially and therefore they have to sell players to make money and stay afloat in a cruel world for football clubs. £5 million for Jenas is a good price for an 18-year-old and most teams would struggle to reject such a bid, but Bobby Robson describe the deal as a "steal". Robson was delighted at the Newcastle press conference and he knows how much Jenas will be valued at in a few years. The £5 million received is vital for the future of the club and that's the most important thing. With Doughty's investment as well as the latest transfer fees, we are starting to reduce the debts. The worrying question is how many more young stars will have to be sacrificed?

I would just like to take this opportunity on behalf of all Forest fans to wish Jermaine Jenas all the best for what should be a long and successful career. Jenas is popular amongst all Trickies and that will continue for many more years. It makes me want to cry when I see him in a Newcastle shirt, but I'm sure Bobby Robson will take good care of the lad. I'm positive Jenas will do very well at the top level because he defiantly has the talent.

Good luck JJ!