Pulling Up Trees

Guinless from Vital Forest writes...

This has been a roller coaster ride of a season for all Forest fans. Even when we were 7 points clear at the top, the most die hard of fans thought it a little flattering. In fact our early season game against the Pool would be a good vantage point to view us from. In general we have had our fair share of luck in a lot of games. Maybe now, it's running out.

Tempers and feelings are running high down here. Almost as high as the expectation levels of some supporters. Two weeks ago we were playing Northampton and the players were booed off at half time with the score at 0-0. After Saturday's 2-1 defeat at the hands of Brighton there will be a riot if we are not beating your goodselves at least 3-0 by the interval. You can tell we are entering the business end of the season because the usual suspects are calling for resignations en masse. The cold facts are that we are nicely placed in 4th, 5 points off top spot.

At the beginning of this campaign if you had offered our present position to most fans, they would have bitten your arm off. Admittedly we have not played like Champions or playoff candidates for much of the season, but we are nonetheless sitting pretty. I still fancy our chances of automatic promotion as I feel our strength in depth will tell come the final run in, although it does take a massive leap of faith to say it.

As you know only too well, League 1 has no respect for past glories or reputations, this is something many of the players of Forest have struggled to come to terms with. All too often this season as with last our players have not been ready or prepared to roll their sleeves up and fight for the right to win games. This is something they are slowly coming to terms with.

Colin Calderwood has so far done a decent job, although there are some who have him marked as a failure already. He had a gigantic and some would say impossible job to do when he arrived from Northampton. He has done well to offload most of the deadwood (did you see the great Forest giveaway sale of Southall, Harris, Cullip, Thompson and Eaden?) and has instilled a team spirit second to none. 'The group' as he likes to call them seem very close and get on well, unlike under Megson where there was a lot of infighting.

The most disappointing thing from a fans point of view for me, has been our lack of activity in the transfer window. Luke Chambers and the impressive David Prutton have been the only additions. We are expecting a high profile loan signing, but it is hard to decipher messageboard mischief from fact. Time will tell I suppose, but we could do with a couple to help us over the line.

It's all very tense and every game is a cup final from here on in. We really need the points on Tuesday, but you will argue the same. I think both teams will have to go for it, as a draw is no good to either sides ambitions in where they finish the season. Well, safe journey down to all those travelling, pity it's a Tuesday night in February, you can tell football supporters don't draw up the fixture lists.

Guinless
VITAL FOREST

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