Doubts

[sedgred]

I am worried, due to the success that Forest have enjoyed this season, looking at the side, as the business end of the season starts after Christmas, where a point dropped or an unexpected defeat, has a shorter time span to be corrected, by the placing of the team in the division table, are we ready for that pressure ?

To get to this position in a few short months, after worrying ourselves to death that the trap door to the depths was again swinging beneath is, shows the direction the club has started to head in, BUT oh some of the unrealistic expectations one hears and reads about frighten me.

We have a relatively young side, peppered with a few experienced heads, this seems to be the a fabulous mix, but will it continue when the chips are down, game after game after game. This is my only doubt, the fear along with that is the high expectations of many of our followers.

After a couple of wonderful back to back wins, a trip to Bramall Lane has never been for the fainthearted at the best of times. Sheff Utd do what Sheff Utd do best, Forest come away with a point after an uninspiring game. In some quarters this is being viewed almost a failure, yet a few short months ago, we were celebrating and so utterly grateful to gain a point at BL.

Pressure will mount on the players as the season hots up, lets hope they can cope, but it is a steep learning curve, if they stumble lets not be too critical......because it did not take too long for the odd moan to start after Tuesday night.

 

[earthworm]

All football fans get carried away, we can't help it. Saaay for example, this ...

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5763588,00.html

Birmingham midfielder Lee Bowyer is taking it a game at a time despite European dreams gripping some at St Andrews.

 

[Dadford]

After Christmas does leave a shorter time to gain back dropped points, this is true for the teams not called Forest too.
But the last match of the season, needing a win or another result to go in your favour doesn't leave any time to claw back points.

 

[zigga-zagga]

It has to be said that the Forest players are contributing to the air of optimism and Billy's demeanour does seem to have changed over the last few weeks.

I appreciate that a few short months ago we were nervously looking over our shoulders but you have to take into account the multitude of aquisitions made since last season. The signing of Shorey, albeit on loan, is as clear an indication as possible that our sights are set considerably higher than we dared to hope a few weeks ago.

The team against Sheffield Utd on Tuesday had only five players who played in the same fixture on April 13th (even then Gunther and Blackstock were loan players). As you say, disappointment at Tuesday's result is indicative of raised expectations, I am not getting carried away but having witnessed every game this season I can assure you there is every reason for optimism.

 

[earthworm]

The team against Sheffield Utd on Tuesday had only five players who played in the same fixture on April 13th (even then Gunther and Blackstock were loan players). As you say, disappointment at Tuesday's result is indicative of raised expectations, I am not getting carried away but having witnessed every game this season I can assure you there is every reason for optimism.

I'd say it settled me down more than disappointed, although I listened to Radio Nottingham rather than going along.

What's interesting is what this all does to expectations for tomorrow now. Confident? No. Worried? Not really either. Truth be told, I just don't know what this Forest team is capable of, and they keep surprising me.

 

[PSR]

If you wasn't around during the 1977/8 season then I'll tell you the feelings and doubts were much worse.

We scraped promotion from the old second division by coming third to Wolves & Chelsea but the following season we took Div.1 by storm - we won the league with 64 points with Liverpool finishing second on 57.

A lot of the supporters got carried away in the euphoria of our achievement and was reveling in it but their were also lots of the old ardent fans that didn't get really carried away throughout that season because of that doubt thing.

The club was in transition and no one at that time knew what was to come and eventually, even the doubters jumped on the bandwagon and allowed themselves to get carried away.

I'm not suggesting we will have such a big impact on the Premiership this time around should we get promoted but all I can say is - doubters are generally pessimistic people by nature but I also say - if it's there, take it and enjoy it whilst it is there.

It seems the club are in transition once again but I can never quite see it getting to the heights of that Clough era again (but that doesn't mean they can't). We've come through the bad times so let's enjoy what we all hope will be some good times again - and for those that wern't around in the late 70's and throughout the 80's - ENJOY.

 

[king_congo_red]

Pressure will mount on the players as the season hots up, lets hope they can cope, but it is a steep learning curve, if they stumble lets not be too critical......because it did not take too long for the odd moan to start after Tuesday night.

Billy Davies is very, very good at taking the pressure off the players...his constant comments about 'not being ready' take the pressure off them to succeed, whilst also making them determined to prove to him that they are good enough...

 

[wemaybefamousagain]

I am always full of doubt when it comes to Forest - a true cynic if ever there was one.

Therefore I am expecting us to fade a little at some point and I am sure it will be touch and go with the play-offs. However, it is still a masive improvement from last season and assuming we do not go up, we will be in fine fettle for a automatic promotion push next season providing we hold on to our players and get a couple more in. Especially as the teams likely to come down from the prem are much weaker than last year e.g. Pompey, Bolton, Hull, etc.

 

[marshdweller]

I always have doubts. Mainly because of days like October 7th 2006. Only one league defeat so far, and now Scunthorpe at home - no big deal surely? Boxing Day last year. Just when things seemed to be improving, and the gap was closing, we are at home to a relegation rival who is struggling to score.

Having said that, I was quite apprehensive at 12.50pm last Saturday as I sat in the Trent End.

Forest are like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get next.

 

[RM28]

The thing is, We have played every team in the champ so far? And we have made most of them look average, If we can keep our key players gong forward fit we dont even have to have a good game to pick up points!

 

[Strummer]

I'm the eternal optimist - my glass is always half full (usually with Guinness) rather than half empty.

Following Forest this season has been a roller-coaster ride; the lows of West Brom and Watford; the highs of the Sheep, Doncaster and the Bin Robbers.

However this season ends, I'm already happy with the improvement in the team from last year, which must be down to Billy and his backroom team and the players.

 

[Erik]

We are a good way to acheiving this seasons realistic aims.

At the moment, on the crest of a wave, it looks like we could surpass that.

The lads can play without fear because of the over acheivement so far - who knows where that could take us?

Even if the nerves do kick in, it looks at the moment very much like the worst we could do is what most of us thought we'd do at best - which is an upper half of the table finish.

Just enjoy the ride, because with Billy Davies in charge of this bright young team it could be a good one.

 

[goatboy]

Forest are like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get next.

Swansea away?

 

[dbarraclough]

I see Cardiff have just moved into 3rd after beating Boro. Things can change so quickly in this league. I can remember only about 3 weeks ago a QPR mate was bragging about being 4th. They are now 14th :blink: This league is so intriguing. Not saying it's going to happen to us but a string of draws can send you spiralling down this league. Would be great to build a nice cushion between us and 7th into the New Year

 

[sebs]

here's something to up doubts. first season under calderwood at this time we were top of league one by 5 points with a game in hand. we all know how that ended.

people will start figuring out billy davies' team. at the moment they have stolen a march on the rest of the division and billy's meticulous homework is paying off.

i believe through davies' experience which calderwood didn't have that the same effect isn't going to happen.

 

[marshal99]

Still too early to be talking about anything as yet , this league is simply too close to call anything. I mean , ipswich who had been down in the bottom 3 all season finally got out of there are just 11 points off the playoffs. There's not really a lot of difference between the middle half and top half sides. One bad run or good run and they might switch places. At the moment , with forest after so many years of dire results and struggle , i am just taking it one game at a time and enjoying it while i can , basking in the top half of the table and not having to worry about relegation for once.