Billy calls for Positivity & Unity

[garrilla]

In the post match interview, Billy had more comments to be aimed at the malcontents, who foster negativity around the club, and the the speed at which the moaning and groaning can grow around the ground when things aren't going our way.

He wants unity so that teams can't come to the CG and frustrate the crowd, andthe players then rush into mistakes.

Will this happen?

Personally I'm unsure. There is a long tradition of whinging at Forest. For example, anyone who has programmes for the 80/81 season will be able to dip in at will and find letters from irate supporters bemoaning Clough's resting of Shilton, playing Bowyer out of position and of course, the weekly favourite, John McGovern is shite and unworthy of the armband.

So, while I agree with Billy, I think he's on to a losing strategy with this and I wonder if harping on about it all the time will do his cause more harm than good?

 

[Tnewton_1988]

No it won't end because the minority won't be happy until we thrash Real Madrid 4-0 in a Champions League Final.Also they will still moan and groan because they are stuck in a Brian Clough glory years time warp.

 

[JtheNorwegianRed]

I like how Billy is using psychology to get the things he want...
His timing is perfect... praise the fans when we are doing badly, and when we're on a run, he tries to get rid of the negatives! Everyone is talking about Billy being honest, he's not... but what he's doing is spot on, and I hope he never will become an honest man!

 

[birkin youth]

Well, when we went 1-0 down at Peterborough, the Forest fans started singing SO loudly, it was brilliant.

But the away crowd and the home crowd are obviously two very different things.

Silencing the home moaners will be nigh-on impossible. In a recent article, Billy actually singled out negative fan who sits behind the dug-out, in Main Stand. Saying that he was shouting abuse at Billy during the Scunthorpe game. I think Billy said that when we went 1-0 up he turned round and gave a thumbs-up to the individual.

Also, were we booe'd off against Watford? I don't think there was any significant booing, was there?

Now think back to October, November and December of last season. It was horrible, and there was a lot of booing.

I bet we don't have a repeat of that this season. Even if results do go our way, and even if we do have disappointing performances, I don't think the fans will dish out quite as much stick as they did last time around.

That shows to me the crowd are, and will continue to be more positive because everyone else at the club seems to have pulled their fingers out a bit.

 

[Rich]

No it won't end because the minority won't be happy until we thrash Real Madrid 4-0 in a Champions League Final.Also they will still moan and groan because they are stuck in a Brian Clough glory years time warp.

I'd be gutted that we hadn't put the 5th in.

 

[earthworm]

I'd be gutted that we hadn't put the 5th in.

... and Paul Smith flapped and let their 7th in. Lee Camp would have commanded the area so well that the ball wouldn't have dared cross the line into our box.

 

[Rigler]

I like how Billy is using psychology to get the things he want...
His timing is perfect... praise the fans when we are doing badly, and when we're on a run, he tries to get rid of the negatives! Everyone is talking about Billy being honest, he's not... but what he's doing is spot on, and I hope he never will become an honest man!

Couldn't agree more. I can't help but wonder if he's had some kind of training in the psychology of football fans and how to get them on your side.
This isn't a criticism by the way, I think it's a good thing.

 

[JtheNorwegianRed]

You have to understand people to be a good football manager, and I wouldn't be surprised if he's studied psychology. You have to remember that he has to analyze footballers before every game, and one thing is for sure... the ego of a footballer can be hard to predict..
I think we have the right man at the rudder this time!

 

[king_congo_red]

You have to understand people to be a good football manager, and I wouldn't be surprised if he's studied psychology. You have to remember that he has to analyze footballers before every game, and one thing is for sure... the ego of a footballer can be hard to predict..
I think we have the right man at the rudder this time!

Agreed J. This is a side of the game most fans fail to understand. Look around the web at the message boards of teams who are struggling. Most fans will suggest dropping a player or two, maybe changing the formation or getting rid of the manager. There's very few people who will suiggest that a manager could get a better performance out of a player by putting an arm around them at the right time, or giving them a rollicking at the right moment. In fact, most managers are pretty clueless when it comes to this, but man-management is a vital, if misunderstood part, of being a winner.

 

[earthworm]

Agreed J. This is a side of the game most fans fail to understand. Look around the web at the message boards of teams who are struggling. Most fans will suggest dropping a player or two, maybe changing the formation or getting rid of the manager. There's very few people who will suiggest that a manager could get a better performance out of a player by putting an arm around them at the right time, or giving them a rollicking at the right moment. In fact, most managers are pretty clueless when it comes to this, but man-management is a vital, if misunderstood part, of being a winner.

I'm sure I read that Clough was good at this, although I think he relied on Peter Taylor for the "arm round" part to some extent.

 

[king_congo_red]

I'm sure I read that Clough was good at this, although I think he relied on Peter Taylor for the "arm round" part to some extent.

Indeed. Taylor was very much the 'Good Cop' to Brian's 'Bad Cop' at times.

 

[JtheNorwegianRed]

Ha ha... I'm reading The Damned United at the moment, and I love the fact that Cloughie was pretending to be Bremners best mate, and always sat next to him at the team coach, only to piss him off! Good man!

Billy is very good on protecting his players as well. Like Earnies penalty against Watford, to be fair, it was utter crap! But he pretends that it all came down to bad luck... When we're playing scrappy games, blame the conditions... . I have a feeling he knows that these comments make him look like an arse sometimes, but it's better to attract attention to himself, instead of creating a big fuzz around the players. Many of these guys are, like myself, in their early twenties... And I can only speak for myself here, but I'm worth much more at work when I feel comfortable, and not under constant pressure... Stress is probably something you deal with better when you "grow up", but for these young players, I think it's important that they are confident when they go out on the pitch on a Saturday.

 

[RICH1977]

to be fair I have noticed attitudes changing quite alot at the city ground since the derby game, against blackpool there where no boos and there was a very loud shout of nottingham, nottingham riseing up once we went 1-0 down, I dont think we will sillence it tottaly but we are alot more possitive than we where this time last season

 

[TheStorm101]

Even if results do go our way, and even if we do have disappointing performances, I don't think the fans will dish out quite as much stick as they did last time around.

That shows to me the crowd are, and will continue to be more positive because everyone else at the club seems to have pulled their fingers out a bit.

I think this is a good observation.

Since Hart left we've had a lot of players (and by extension sides) that you got the impression really didn't give that much of a damn when push came to shove. When you see that week in week out, it's natural that some fans will start thinking 'well why should I contribute positvely when the players can't be bothered?'

You look at the squad now and I don't reckon there's any 'bad eggs' left and maybe more importantly, we've got a manager who gives off the impression he's a good motivator. You never really thought the same about Kinnear, Megson or even to an extent, Calderwood.

 

[RRRREDUN]

Half the problem is that many of the Forest home crowd seem to lack football education. As soon as our team are keeping posession by playing it around across the back for instance, there is an impatience about some people who want the instant 'killer' ball. This can rush players into making mistakes 'cos they want to shut the f--king crowd up from their wingeing. Watch one of the top few prem sides keeping posession, and probing for an opening.
Away - it's different 'cos normally we're under pressure and our tactics have to be different anyway.

 

[Annesley Red]

Positivity and Unity ? play one at lefy back and the other at centre half

 

[ubique]

Indeed. Taylor was very much the 'Good Cop' to Brian's 'Bad Cop' at times.

Sure I've read this is Billy's style too with him firmly being the gaffer and not afraid to criticize the players with Ned being their mate

 

[JWJW]

No it won't end because the minority won't be happy until we thrash Real Madrid 4-0 in a Champions League Final.Also they will still moan and groan because they are stuck in a Brian Clough glory years time warp.

Only 4-0, thats not good enough, I am going to join FOND and be merry friends with SHJ and co until we thrash them 15-0 with only 9 men playing.

 

[Anatoli]

I have to agree. McGovern is too often just a passenger. Some of the team selections have just been bizarre - I mean, playing Birtles in goal for crying out loud. We're too fond of kick and hoof and tactically we are naive. We think if Burns takes our their Centre Forward first attack, that will be enough. I'm not sure that Cloughie is the man to do well for us. That Alex Ferguson is doing well up at Aberdeen...

 

[JtheNorwegianRed]

I have to agree. McGovern is too often just a passenger. Some of the team selections have just been bizarre - I mean, playing Birtles in goal for crying out loud. We're too fond of kick and hoof and tactically we are naive. We think if Burns takes our their Centre Forward first attack, that will be enough. I'm not sure that Cloughie is the man to do well for us. That Alex Ferguson is doing well up at Aberdeen...

I guess there's always been people like that..!?
To be honest, I never go to games with my dad, as I know he will spend most of the game criticizing the ref and the players of the team he should be cheering on... And when he comes back, if they won, he won't say a word - and if they lost, he won't shut up about how terrible they are

 

[FBS]

I think this is a good observation.

Since Hart left we've had a lot of players (and by extension sides) that you got the impression really didn't give that much of a damn when push came to shove. When you see that week in week out, it's natural that some fans will start thinking 'well why should I contribute positvely when the players can't be bothered?'

You look at the squad now and I don't reckon there's any 'bad eggs' left and maybe more importantly, we've got a manager who gives off the impression he's a good motivator. You never really thought the same about Kinnear, Megson or even to an extent, Calderwood.

I totally agree with you storm. This is "NEW" Forest.