In lots of ways i wish we didn’t have that run and just did enough to avoid relegation. Why? Well, I believe that if the club didn’t go on that run and had continued to play as badly as they did at the start of the season then things would be different right now. They would have certainly been more wholesale changes in player personnel. I reckon as well that the club wouldn’t have (couldn’t have) increased season tickets.
Towards the end of last season, Forest made a lot of money on gate receipts with the up turn in fortune and positivism around the City Ground. Probably that`s why the board didn’t think twice about putting prices up this season. They probably feel the loyal forest fans are glutton for punishment and the non season ticket holders or fair weather supporters will always come back when we are doing well (this season they will be a lot more of the latter)!
Yes the run was good at the time and although they ultimately failed badly in the end, it was nerve-biting, fun to watch and made the season last until the final game! But now it feels that the new manager (possibly under instructions from the board) think this particular squad doesn’t need improving much. So now because of that run, we are now being asked to pay more money to maintain the same players. By the time he realizes the likes of Friio, Eaden, Padula, Harris, DJ etc are not good enough and we need competition and cover in goal, midfield, at left back, on the right wing and even up front, but he may not be able to sort it out till January because the Transfer window closes at the end of August.
The same mistake is made year after year at Forest. Other successful clubs tend to build on their success and bring in better players to provide competition for places, but bizarrely, Forest want to keep the same players that struggled to finish seventh in League one! It seems at Forest, the board don`t want to upset the dressing room. But to me, this is the same dressing room that didn’t care about the fans when they wouldn’t perform for Megson or Kinnear. Why do the board think the same squad is now candidates for promotion?
Yes Charlie and Frank got the best out of the players, but i think anybody could have taken that team on a run on the back of Megson departing! The team only played well when it wasn’t under pressure to perform, as soon as they had to win at the end of the season they failed.
In my opinion, the board are not bothered about selling loads of season tickets, because as was proved back end of last season, the club can make more money on match day tickets if Forest are doing well. Of course its a big if and its a dangerous game to play, but they are playing it…again! Its been proved every season they do not care about the fans loyalty, but still continue to feed off supporters and have the audacity to make us feel its our fault if season tickets are not brought!
Another worry is that because season tickets sales are down (and they are) then that will give them the ammunition to sell some of our better players…Tyson, Commons, Morgan etc to make up for the shortfall.
After saying that, I have more confidence in Colin Calderwood as I have in previous managers, Hart, Kinnear and Megson. He wasn’t my first choice (don`t think he was many fans first choice) but has young, hungry and does have a growing reputation in the game. Apart from Rogers he has given every one a clean slate, although i feel he must quickly assess the squad, get rid of the deadwood (if he can) and strengthen it as I feel with the right quality incoming players we can actually compete successfully in this league. The board needs to back him with any funds required to help his promotion bid. The board also need to stop taking Forest fans continued loyalty for granted!
I hope Calderwood is up to the challenge and im praying that this is the season where the club can over achieve to help me forget the last few dreadful years.
COME ON YOU REDS, We cant afford to spend another season in this poor league!
Ian
TAKE IT AS RED!
Keyworth
Nottm
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