Q – How long have you been following Forest and what was your first game?
I`ve been a Forest fan for 17 years. My first game was Aston Villa at home in the 1995/96 season. The final score was 1-1 with Stevie Stone getting the Forest goal. I remember Silenzi and Jason Lee both missing open goals during the game.
Q – What are your most memorable moments as a Forest fan? Good and Bad.
Good – Promotion to Premiership in 97/98 season was amazing. Van Hooijdonk and Campbell were both quality that season. The 19 game unbeaten run a couple of seasons ago is a great memory as well. I think the football we played during that period was some of the best we`ve seen for years.
Bad – Relegation seasons were difficult to take but I don`t think anything will ever be as bad as the Yeovil playoff match. To lose in that manner against a real minnow of English football was ridiculous.
Q – Since you have been following Forest, what would your best starting eleven be? And who is your all time favourite player?
Starting 11 – Lee Camp, Des Lyttle, Colin Cooper, Michael Dawson, Stuart Pearce, Steve Stone, Chris Cohen, Chris Bart-Williams, Ian Woan, Pierre Van Hooijdonk, Robbie Earnshaw
All time favourite player – Got to be Stuart Pearce – they don`t make footballers like him these days!
Q – In your opinion, what is the best goal you have seen Forest score?
A lot spring to mind but Raddy Majewski`s goal at West Brom a couple of seasons ago takes some beating. Unbelievable volley and right in front of where all the Forest fans were gathered.
Q – Best and worst away ground visited?
Best – for atmosphere, Molyneux is a quality ground (although we got thumped there a couple of seasons ago). The Ricoh Arena is a good ground aswell but there are always lots of empty seats in the home end.
Worst – Saltergate (Chesterfields old ground). Absolutely terrible football stadium.
Q- Which player(s) would you like to see us sign this summer (realistically)?
I would like to see us sign Ryan Bertrand as he made a big difference last season but can`t see it happening as surely a Premier League team will take him. I liked Andrew Crofts from Norwich City last season but can`t see him joining. I think a more achievable central midfield target would be Jonathon Greening.
Q – All seater stadia. Good thing, or a bad thing?
I think there should be a small area of the stadium with terracing (as they do in Germany). The atmosphere is always better when we go to an away ground with terracing.
Q – What are your thoughts on how Forest did last season and how did it compare to your expectations?
I thought we finished where I expected at the beginning of the season although I can`t help but think we would have made a stronger push for the top two if we would have made a couple more additions in January. I thought we were very unlucky in the Swansea game. Although they did play the better football over the two legs, we had them on the ropes for the majority of the second half of the second leg. I still can`t believe the ref missed the handball from Earnshaw`s shot at the end.
Q – What are your expectations for next season in the Championship/Where will we finish?
I think it will be very tough to force our way into the top two this season as there are a lot of strong teams who are showing their intent in the transfer window (Leicester and West Ham in particular). I think the best we can hope for is the play offs.
Q- Was it right for the club to sack Billy Davies?
I think it was time for him to go but it is sad that it ended the way it did. I think the snipes between him and the board made us look amateurish at times during last season. But he has had an unbelievable impact on the whole club over the last three seasons. I wish him well and he is assured of a great reception from the Forest faithful next time he`s back at the City Ground.
Q – What’s your opinion on the appointment of Steve McClaren and will he bring success to the club?
I think it`s a good appointment. McClaren has been doing a lot of punditry on Five Live recently and he is incredibly knowledgeable about the tactical side of the game. I think he may not bring immediate success but in the long term he will.
Q- Acquisitions Panel. Good thing or bad?
Good thing – we used to sign a lot of bad players but we have made some shrewd investments over the last three/four seasons. I think the media make a lot out of it as most clubs have a similar transfer policy.
Q – Where do you sit/stand at the City Ground?
Upper Trent End towards the centre.
Q – Name the celebrity whose back doors you’d most like to smash.
If I answer that question, there is no way I will be getting married next year.
Many thanks to Sam, for taking the time out to answer the questions. You can check out what else Sam has to say on Forest related matters at his twitter page, @Rosillo25.If you would like to take part in the Fan Interviews, you`ll find a copy of the questions here. Just email your answers to forest@vitalfootball.co.uk and they will be published on the front page.
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