lost that loving feeling - A View From California

Previously, when a Saturday rolled around and Forest were in action, I found myself either there to experience the game myself or, due to financial constraints forced by life as a student, glued to the radio or TV.

However, this season I have spent the majority of it, well, sleeping.

Living in LA has its obvious perks, but one of its downsides is that it is eight hours behind the UK and as a result I don’t get see the mighty Garibaldi. I can get up at seven in the morning and listen to the action over the Internet, and have at times done this. But as reality beckoned and I realized that I needed more sleep, my early mornings began to disappear as quickly as a pint in a student’s hand. Nonetheless, I have still followed everything that has happened, and have become an official ‘internet’ fan. And now as this season draws to a close, I give you my view of the season...

Due to not being needed in America until mid September, I was allowed some early season games, notably the first game of the season against Sheffield United. In many ways this game summed up what would be our entire season. Driving to the game, I heard on the radio the team news regarding how Andy Johnson refused to take his place on the subs bench. This began the trend with high earning senior players leaving the club.

Even though his petty behaviour would contribute to him being sold, he would have probably been sold anyway. His contract was up at the end of the season and the club wanted to get some money for him while also easing some pressure off the wage bill. After him would come Bart-Williams and Alan Rogers. I was only really concerned about Bartman leaving, as last season he proved an inspiration, and at last I thought he had found his best position as an attacking midfielder.

True, both Rogers and Johnson were good players and served the club well, but they did not really fit into the way that Paul Hart wants the team to play. In terms of Johnson, I think that we have better players that can play in central midfield with David Prutton being just as good at battling and Gareth Williams far superior in passing the ball.

Even though he has gone on to do well at West Brom, I would far prefer to watch Forest than West Brom any day. Even though as I write this, West Brom are on the verges on promotion, I don’t think I could stomach having to watch them every week. It was bad enough watching Forest play under Platt!

In terms of Rogers, I have never really rated him. I don’t think he knows his best position, as I don’t think he is defensively good enough to play at left-back and not good enough to play in midfield as he cannot pass the ball.

On arriving at the City Ground I sat down to find a very young team line up. This would also set a trend with players such as Craig Westcarr, Michael Dawson and John Thompson all receiving call-ups to the senior team.

As well as this, it showed how young players would become essential to the team. Even though they are still young, players such as Marlon Harewood and David Prutton can be considered as being experienced at this level, but still can improve.

In terms of Prutts, I felt that he had begun to hit form towards the end of last season and this term has been one of our most consistent performers. His hunger and desire is always evident and when he has played in central midfield has shown to be a defensive and attacking force.

Although the jury may still be out on Marlon, in my view he has improved immensely this season. His general play has improved greatly as has his finishing. If he can combine these elements with his pace and strength, we might have quite a player on our hands.

The season has also seen the establishment of Gareth Williams in the centre of midfield. Together with Prutts, I feel they can grow into having a great combination in midfield, with Prutts running around causing havoc while Gaz sits in and controls the game with his slick passing.

Another thing that began at the Sheffield United game was the rehabilitation of more senior players who I had previously thought were not up to it. This can be best seen through Jon Hjelde, who has gone onto have his best season in a Forest shirt. Injury has plagued him in previous seasons and limited his quality of performance. However, this season he has been injury free and outstanding, showing the kind of form that we saw when Harry Bassett brought him to the City Ground.

Others have followed.

Riccy Scimeca has also had a very good season playing at centre back. His error-filled games playing there under Platt convinced me that his future lay best in another position, but the emphasis Hart has put on playing the ball from the back has undoubtedly helped him settle down.

Another one who has improved greatly is Jim Brennan. Jim was in and out of the team last season and was never really convincing, whether he was either attacking or defending. He always seemed nervous on the ball, but this season he looks more composed and has provided an attacking option on the left.

So if there are so many positives to be taken out of the season, why do we find ourselves in a lowly position? The answer is not simple, but I will attempt to explain it.

When Paul Hart took charge he said that the season was going to be a roller coaster ride, and it certainly has had its ups and downs. A simple answer is, take players such as David Johnson, Stern John, and Jermaine Jenas, as well as Bart-Williams, Rogers and Andy Johnson, out of any squad in this division and they will struggle.

It is to Paul Hart’s credit that he has been able to put out teams that we can feel proud of in spite of all the departures.

Under David Platt I thought that the club as a whole was going nowhere, but now I feel that the club has a bright future. If the finances can be sorted out to a point where we can buy a few players and keep the ones we already have, I feel that we can challenge for the playoffs next season. This season has been one the most turbulent in the club's history, with having to significantly cut our playing staff and amongst talk of the club going out of business; we are still here and fighting. Under Paul Hart, the club is going in the right direction, playing the kind of football that our great club became famous for.

And finally, the last thing that was evident at the United game was the support the players received from the fans. This has continued all throughout the season and our support will certainly be needed next season as well, if we are to achieve what many others and I think we can… I know where I will be spending most of my Saturday afternoons next season.