Jacks’ Blackest Day

Jack Lester is unlikely to forget the last time he stepped out at Huish Park. Nor is anyone else who faced Yeovil on that day last October.

A humbling 3-0 defeat was the nadir of a season that had its fair share of disappointment.

So incensed was Gary Megson with the performance, he invited travelling supporters into the dressing room afterwards.

They were only too happy to point out the failings of the players – many of whom remain at the City Ground.

For Lester, who has already scored three goals this term and who played that day, it was one of the darkest days in his career – but one, he says, that will drive him to ensure no repeat tomorrow.

‘It was as bad as I can remember,’ he said. ‘It was bad. The whole day and the fans coming in as well.

‘You want to rule things like that out of your mind and never let them happen again.

‘I remember we could have been one or two up – then we let in a soft goal and Gareth Taylor got sent off. It was horrendous from then – but I won’t be thinking about that tomorrow.’

Megson’s decision to let the fans at his players was intended to give them a jolt after a stuttering start to the campaign. It hardly had the desired effect, with the manager eventually leaving the club the following February.

‘It was surreal,’ said Lester. ‘I didn’t know who they were.

‘It didn’t bother me – the fans deserve their say. The fans are very important to Nottingham Forest – who are we to say what they can and can’t say? It’s their club and they have every right to say what they want.’

Colin Calderwood shouldn’t have to resort to the same tactics tomorrow given Forest’s ominous start to the season.

Five wins out of six so far sees them three points clear at the top of League One.

Calderwood has managed the turnaround in form despite making only slight changes to the personnel.

Of the squad that faced Yeovil last season, eight are set to be involved tomorrow, while Kris Commons is only missing because of an ankle injury.

From the NEP.