"He's not silly" – Reaction given to Derby County, Craig Forsyth news | OneFootball

Some were shocked that Craig Forsyth was handed a two-year deal, but it does make some sense

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Derby County defender Craig Forsyth signed a new two-year contract towards the end of last month.

That it was a multi-year deal was a shock to many, given that he will turn 37 in February, and end the contract as a 38-year-old.

He has, however, been with the club since 2013, making 382 appearances for the Rams, so there are few as devoted to the club as the former Scotland international.

We spoke to our FLW's Derby fan pundit, Shaun Woodward, to get his take on the new deal.

Speaking to Football League World, Shaun said: “I am a bit surprised at the length of the contract. I do think two years is a year too much.

“Saying that, I do believe he's not silly. He knows that he's probably going to be a bit part player over the next season and probably next season after that.

“He'll be lucky to be playing at all, but never write him off, because he's been written off many, many times in the past with his injuries and with other players coming in, but he's always somehow managed to find a way back into the team.

“So who knows with Fozzy? He's an absolute legend. He's a servant of the club that just typifies everything about what it means to play for the club.

“His performances at the end of last season were exceptional, whether he was playing centre-half, left-back, left wing-back. Wherever he was asked to play, he got on with the job; he defied his age.

“So, who knows? I mean, when you look at it, we desperately need a left-back to be competing with him or to be in front of him, really.

“Because if we want to move on to be a top team in the Championship, pushing for the play-offs, then you would have thought we'd need someone 10 years younger.

“However, he just keeps coming back. He's Mr Duracell, isn’t he? He just gets on with the job.

“Whoever's in front of him, it's his mission to make them worry about him, and who knows what's going to happen.

“But really, taking a step back and taking the sentiment away from it all, we do need a new left-back to be pushing up the league, but never write Fozzy off because he just keeps coming back and proving everyone wrong.

“So, I'm more than happy for him to be given that contract, and let's see what happens.

“But he's an absolute legend to the club now for the service he's given us, so if Eustace thinks he's good enough, then that's good enough for me.”

Forsyth contract looks to the future in some ways

As Shaun says, the two-year deal is a bit of a shock, but once you dig into the details, it begins to make more sense.

In the official club announcement, they reveal that throughout this contract, the club are going to be supporting Forsyth in achieving his coaching qualifications with a view to preparing him for his post-playing career.

It would be no shock to see him take up such a role at Pride Park, once he finally hangs up the boots.

But rather than moving him into a purely coaching role, while he’s still capable of playing, it makes perfect sense to keep Forsyth around for his leadership and experience in the dressing room.

Plus, having made 39 league appearances last season, there’s no sign of him slowing down just yet.