‘Get Behind The Lads’

As all regular City Ground attenders will be aware, the forest fans can be a massive help to the side when times aren’t as easy as the less well-informed would believe of this wretched division.

However, my belief is that the City Ground ‘Faithful’ can be just as much of a hindrance as a help, especially when things aren’t entirely rosy. I have the misfortune of being a season ticket holder in the Upper Clough, where some of the attitudes are quite unbelievable, not to mention relatively ignorant.

For example, a few seasons back, during a West Brom home FA cup tie, I heard a guy in front of me say ‘apparently they lost 3-0 to them the other week’ – which I found frankly laughable. Admittedly my perception of the entire ground’s attitude may be somewhat limited, but I find it incredible that because of the fact that we were once kings of Europe, the fans I am surrounded by feel that the entire point of going week-in week-out is to berate the players.

I think our inability over the past few years to come from behind and win games is due in no small part to this. The away support however, bar the first half at Brentford which was genuinely atrocious, has been commendable throughout the season.

And so come the playoffs. A tricky tie with Yeovil, but over two legs, one we should definitely be expecting to win. The playoffs have a nasty habit of turning on those who don’t get the rub of the green on the night, and I think the fans at the City Ground can certainly play their part in tipping the balance in our favour. So how about a little less complaining that the champagne football of 25 years ago is no longer at your doorstep, and a bit of a reality check? We are a third flight side (albeit nothing like a third flight club), and we always will be until the vast majority of our fans learn to accept that. Get behind the lads over the next two Fridays, and let’s look forward to some championship football next season.

Thanks once again to ‘Juan.’