lost that loving feeling - The season so far

We are just over half way through the season and what an enjoyable campaign it has been so far. There have been many highs and lows during the past few months but most of all the football has been fantastic to watch. Throughout this article I will be looking back at the games which made us experience a number of emotions, both good and bad.

August

The campaign got off to a steady start against Sheffield United on the opening day. Forest were very unlucky not to gain three points from this encounter but the positive was the style of football the team played.

This set the standard for the rest of the season. Unfortunately we lost to Barnsley in the next game although we did come very close to picking up a point after Jenas equalised in the last minute, only for Barnsley to go straight back up the other end and score the winner. This meant that we had to beat Palace to win our first match of the season and the team didn't fail. It must be one of the most exciting matches there has been this season. Forest won 4-2 after squandering a two-goal lead only to produce another two fine strikes late on in the game. After the Palace match we had a dramatic trip to Highfield Road. This was a game I won't forget in a hurry. As you all know, Forest were down to nine men for half of the game but still managed a 0-0 draw. Some fantastic saves and great defending by the Reds earned them a well-deserved point in one of the matches of the season in my opinion.

September

A fairly steady month as Forest picked up 10 points from a possible 18. The main highlight was the Bradford home game. The Reds picked all three points after a superb goal from JJ, 17 minutes from time. This match was one of the toughest games of the season so far in front of nearly a full house and to win it was a real boost for us, the supporters. However the low point of the month came in the next game against Wolves at Molineux. It looked as though the match was going to finish 0-0 until the 90 minute. Another late goal had cost us a very good point but it just wasn't to be. Forest played really well and it was just unfortunate that we conceded a goal so late on.

October

The month got off to a good start against Burnley at home. It wasn't a pretty game by any stretch of the imagination but a vital win for Forest over the high-flying Clarets. A goal after 78 minutes by Chris Bart-Williams ensured us three points.

After the Burnley match we picked up a point against Birmingham and then it was off the Millwall for a fierce encounter. This was another dramatic game at The New Den, which finished 3-3. Forest were 3-2 up after clawing our way back into the match after an early Millwall goal. Again it wasn't to be and the home side produced the equaliser 2 minutes into stoppage time.

Paul Hart didn't have to wait long before the next win however because we played Watford at Vicarage Road in midweek. After going a goal behind we finally won the game 2-1 in our first away win of the season. Unfortunately the Reds couldn't follow that up with a win against Man City the following Sunday. Instead Forest had to settle for a draw after a one-off mistake by Darren Ward. The real low point of the month was our first home defeat of the season against Sheffield Wednesday. Again missed chances cost us when really we should have gained all three points at home to a very poor side.

November

Mainly full of lows rather than highs. At the start of the month we looked very tired after a difficult string of matches. We lost to both West Brom and Walsall in games where the lads really should have picked up at least a point. However the scoreline was a little better when Preston came to the City Ground. Unfortunately we still only managed a 1-1 draw but at least it halted the string of defeats and set us up nicely for a trip to Crewe.

Forest produced a very good performance at Crewe and deserved the three points after a double from David Johnson and a goal by Stern John. The result was a major boost and made a long trip to Portsmouth a little easier although the trip back was a very long one. Forest were harshly denied a point after a late penalty which never was.

December

So far this month we've had two home games which have both ended in draws. The two trips to Selhurst Park have presented us with two very different performances. Against Wimbledon, Forest were poor and deserved to lose 1-0 to the Dons. The passing was poor and the whole team had a bad game with the exception of Darren Ward. However it was a different story against Palace a few days later. On this occasion the lads were very unlucky not to win the game although a point against high -flying Palace is still an excellent point away from home.

With two games remaining in December over the Christmas period, both at home, against Norwich and Coventry, Paul Hart will be hoping his team can deliver some festive cheer and move up the league table.

Overall Hart can be proud of what he and his team have achieved so far this season. The manager has had no money to spend and he has been forced to sell a number of players over the past few months. However this has not stopped the team from playing good football and it is delightful to watch. This has been one of the most enjoyable seasons for a long time and hopefully it will continue for the rest of the campaign. During the next few months I expect us to become stronger and hopefully pick up more points and grind out certain results against teams which won't let us play football. This season we should expect a midtable finish, which will give us a platform to build on for next year.

To finish this article I would like to wish all Forest fans a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Let's cheer on the lads in 2002!