lost that loving feeling - We're Nottingham Forest; we are supreme!

Throughout this difficult season, Forest fans have still travelled up and down the country on a weekly basis following the lads. It has been a rollercoster ride for sure and even though a number of top players have been sold we have stayed loyal and all Trickies can be proud. The team is developing into one of the brightest young sides in the league and the level of support has been superb all season as it has been for many years.

The support the team has received at the City Ground has been outstanding. Forest have the third highest average attendance in the First Division. That just highlights how loyal us Reds supporters are because not even promotion chasing West Brom and Birmingham have a bigger home attendance than we do. Our average gate is well over 20,000 and for a club that has had little to play for nearly all season, that's a superb achievement. The quality of football we have witnessed down at the City Ground has been excellent and there have been some big gates along the way, like the games against Bradford, Man City and Portsmouth and I'm sure we will have some good attendances for our remaining games this season. The record at the City Ground this season has been impressive, with the team only losing three times and I'm sure playing in front of big gates helps.

The away support the team has received this year has also been absolutely superb and I can't stress that enough. It doesn't matter where Forest play, on whatever night, the travelling fans are always there. Trips around the country are fantastic and I love visiting different places and watching the Reds because the atmosphere created by the away following is always magnificent. I don't travel to every away game due to some of them being night matches and some have stupid-kick off times, but I get to as many as I can. The people that travel to places like Portsmouth on a Tuesday night are truly excellent and next season I hope to travel to more midweek matches, although A-Level commitments may scupper those ideas but I will try my very best!

The away match at Gillingham on Saturday was another example of how loyal Forest supporters are. It was another long trip down south, but around 1,500 fans turned up to cheer the lads on and even though the weather wasn't brilliant it didn't seem to bother anybody. The result wasn't what we all hoped for either, but everyone got behind the team throughout the 90 minutes.

To add to the weather being poor, the Forest fans filled half of one stand behind the goal, which is terracing. It was only the third time I have stood on terraces and I'm not a big fan either. I was ok because I'm 6ft 5 but I felt sorry for others around me, especially my brothers. In my opinion terraces shouldn't come back into football, but that's an argument I don't want to get involved in just now.

Getting back to my original point, even though we were placed on terraces without a roof, with persistent rain, it was still a good trip even if the result wasn't what we hoped for.

Overall then, this season has been a difficult one for all Trickies. However, the support the team has received at the City Ground and on their travels has been nothing short of outstanding. I'm sure this will continue for the remaining six matches of the season. I'm 100% positive the players and coaching staff appreciate it - after all there wouldn't be a club without us and I'm sure the players enjoy playing in good atmospheres.

Our next game against WBA on Friday could also be a great night. Don't forget that this match is a special occasion due to the club making it 'Paint The City Ground Red' night. The idea is that everyone who comes to the match should wear something Red and I hope all of you are going to take part. I will be wearing my Forest shirt and a Red and White jesters hat, which will make me look a complete idiot but who cares. The game itself should be a cracker, played in front of a big attendance at the City Ground. Hopefully Forest can bounce back and gain three points against the Baggies.

I would just like to thank everyone who took part in the poll about Darren Ward. As I expected, the results backed up what I said in the article and those of you who haven't read it you can do so by clicking on Issue 11 from the drop down menu below. The final results of the poll, which asked how you rated Darren's performances this season, were as followed:

- Excellent - 74%
- Acceptable - 20%
- Disappointing - 5%
- Terrible - 1%

It is clear to see that the majority of people believe that Darren Ward is the right keeper for Forest and I hope that feeling continues for many years to come!

Before I finish this article, I would just like to welcome young striker Adam Proudlock to the City Ground. It makes a change that somebody is actually signing for Forest instead of leaving and when I heard the news I was so excited. It should give the whole club a boost especially the fans. It's a sign that Forest are moving in the right direction and hopefully this initial loan spell will turn into a permanent move because he has lots of potential and its an area which has caused us problems all season. Hopefully he will start his Forest career with a goal against the Baggies, but we have to be patient and I'm sure that won't be a problem - after all, we've been patient all season!