The Major Interview

1 ? How long have you been following Forest and what got you started?

My first ever game was Mansfield versus Middlesbrough as my dad is a Boro? fan and wanted me to support them as well, I was about eight I think but I still wasn?t having any of it. I think I was the same year he took me to see Forest play Torpedo Moscow in a friendly and I was hooked, all I remember was seeing Franz Carr!!
We went to a number of games between then and my First trip to Wembley in 1991 when we beat Oldham, I have had a season ticket every year but one since (That was only because I was abroad!!)


2 ? What is your most memorable moment as a Forest fan? Good or Bad.

It has to be the 7-1 one win away at Sheffield Wednesday, my first away match outside of Nottingham. We had a great day out, Saw Jason Lee bang his head on the team bus wing mirror while getting off and the saw us put in an amazing display of counter attacking football. I think we went third in the League and the other results went our way so the atmosphere on the buses and trains back was cracking.

3 ? Since you have been following Forest what would your Best Eleven be? And who is your all time favourite player?

Crossley

Charles
Walker
Cooper
Pearce

Crosby/Carr (can?t decide!!)
Bohinen
Hodge
Reid

Collymore
Clough

Favourite Player ? Pearce, a legend.


4 ? What is would you say is the best goal you have seen Forest score?

One of my favourites is Jason Lee?s bundled effort against Spurs in a 2-2 all home draw, just a mess of a Goal but it was Lee all over, I loved that Goal. The best one I have seen us score was Collymore at home to Wimbledon, he ran from inside our half swerved around three players and hit it from 25 yards. He probably scored a few similar to be fair though!

5 ? What is your favourite Forest Kit?

I guess the Yellow Umbro kit a few years back as they spelt their name ?Ubmro? on the design is worst but my favourite is last years home kit. Best one we have had in all the last twenty odd years in my opinion.

6 ? Who in your opinion is mainly to blame for Forests decline from the Premier League to our current plight and why?

Has to be Platt, I think the board just went for the big name at the time. Platt hadn?t done a great deal with Sampdoria previously and his total miss-management of the clubs finances have led to this spiral. I remember one away match at Crewe where we played four at the back, all centre halves when full backs were fit so I didn?t rate his tactics either, plus shouldn?t he have played more? Things along the way have been made worse by certain parties, even people who had the club at their heart but he was the catalyst. Maybe we wouldn?t be here now if Clough had replaced Sheringham but life is full of ?ifs? and ?buts? and we just have to keep putting things right from now on

7 ? Do you think the Promotion through the Play-Offs is achievable, if not do you think Forest will reach Promotion next season?

I really hope they can make it up this year the sooner we get back up to the championship the better. I think now we are in the zone we should stay there and then it?s about playing with the same intensity we have been doing recently. Teams should be more afraid of us than we are of them now. Automatic is a slim hope as I don?t think the teams above us will drop enough points, but I said that about the play-offs not so long ago! If the worst happens I think we have a very strong chance of getting up next season, but I don?t want to talk about that!

8 ? What are your thoughts on how this season has gone and how has it compared to your expectations

I didn?t think we would run away with it but I expected to be there or thereabouts at least, I didn?t get as carried away with the signings as others did but I expected to be top six most of the year. If we can salvage promotion from a shocker of a season it will be fantastic, I even think it could be a catalyst for a good season in the championship.

9 ? Which areas of the side do you believe need strengthening and are there any specific players (realistic targets) that you would like to see at Forest next season?

Quite a few area to be honest, it depends on the division we are in really, the squad would need the striking situation cleared up, DJ, Dobie ? staying or going? Maybe a striker or two needs adding dependent on that, whatever division we desperately need an attacking, creative centre midfielder. I would personally like to see a young right winger with a bit of pace brought in even if on loan for a season to use in tandem with Southall. Finally a bit of left back cover and Id like Gerrard to stay but if he doesn?t I would try and get Crossley or Doyle to come back.

10 ? Who would be on your shortlist of 3 for the new Manager and who would you select and why?

Charlie and Frank have battled their way onto my shortlist now, they would make my final three as a duo, I had been a big fan of Martin Allen for his motivational skills and eye for good young players but I think I am cooling on that now and have been impressed by Parkinson and how his side play so ill have him as a second choice and Nigel to complete the three. Ill take an ideal world scenario, Nigel as Manager with Charlie and Frank working with the first team in some capacity. It?s a big decision for Nigel Doughty and I just hope he gets the right man, or men!!


If you would like to take the Fan Interview please contact the Chairbear or Major Oak via the forum with your email details.