Well it’s been a busy old time since the last edition. Forest have played 3 tough games and come out with them unbeaten and with 5 points. This should have been 7, and some would say it should have been 9! Still, Paul Hart’s Red and White Army are still right up there knocking on the door of the play-offs. With that said, let’s get on with the show!

The first of the aforementioned games was a date with our friends from Sarf East Landan. After drinks were consumed in Central London, we made our way over to London Bridge where we were met with an extremely largely police presence. Still, this didn’t prevent the drink from flowing as 3 o’clock drew closer. A member of the capital’s finest then approached me to say: "Excuse me young Sir, would you care for an little escort to the New Den, as the locals don’t like any trouble, they're fragile creatures you see. We wouldn’t want the aforementioned scholars getting upset and frightened by you tough Nottingham types, I’m sure you’ll understand.”

With this said, we carried on the journey (with the Old Bill) down to the station where the tourists queuing outside the London Dungeon began to look slightly sheepish at the sight of a couple of hundred young gentlemen being marched to the station! Talking seriously though, the police were lined up at London Bridge station together with barking dogs and were even with us on the train with us down to South Bermondsey train station, very organised. After arriving at the location, the operation was stepped up yet further. After waiting for the Millwall fraternity residing on the other side of the road to move on, the Old Bill proceeded to give us (or the locals) the kind of protection saved only for instinct animals originating from the South American rain forest! This involved loads of foot soldiers, meat wagons, and some fine looking nags! Anyway, some of our Millwall friends exchanged pleasantries through the fence flanking us as we approached the turnstiles. One such 'friend' sporting a very fetching white top and a very short hair cut lent over to say something on the lines of: “Now then boys, enjoy the game. Let the best team win. I say we meet up afterwards to discuss the finer points of the beautiful game, what do you think?”

Why one of his associates felt the need to accompany this request by lobbing a can of lager over the fence was just plain confusing! With all this excitement, I had forgotten that there were three points up for stake. The game itself, as all Trickies will now know was an absolute belter; a six-goal thriller straight from the centre pages of Roy of the Rovers, which we should have won, especially as Stern John put us 3-2 up in the dying moments of this tasty little encounter. Still an away point is usually a good one, and this was against a team who should be pretty useful on there own patch this season.

Unfortunately, after the match, us Trickies had to put up with a 30 minute lock in as the locals prepared to discuss the weather with us. Funniest of all was the bloke who had climbed to the top of a pub armed with bricks in preparation for the now escorted Forest contingent! As we made our way back to the station, it was evident that the Millwall 'fans' had been joined by the locals for the weekly dust up with the police. After indicating to these types that we do indeed play Millwall twice a season, I was off to the Shepherds Bush Empire and a date with Turin Brakes. A quality gig rounded off an exciting afternoon, although the moody tones of Olly and Gale were a stark contrast to the atmosphere at the pleasure spot that is the New Den. No bum notes, no shit jokes, just quality from start to finish. Unfortunately, the lad stood behind me was the type you would be quite happy to see crushed by a herd of angry elephants, he was that annoying. He kept going on as if he knew the band personally, whilst explaining the virtues of the B-Side that hasn’t been written yet. Nevermind

My visit to Watford three days later was a much more tranquil affair. A fine Forest performance watched by a large amount of Reds. Personally, I thought the Bartman was superb, especially in the second half as he pushed further and further up the pitch. Getting out of work later than expected and travel problems meant pre-match drinking was confined to a couple of cans bought from an offie! Still, the three points were more than welcome and provided a nice little platform for the return of Psycho. Wasn’t it great to see the almighty back on the hallowed turf. His gesture at the end of the game with the A-Blockers was superb and I’m sure that he will back one day in some capacity.

With that I am off to enjoy the melodic sunshine.