lost that loving feeling - Exciting times ahead

I'm back to provide you with my wisdom once again on t'internet and since I last wrote an article a few weeks ago, much has been happening around the City Ground.

After a good start to the season many people are predicting an exciting campaign this time around for the Reds.

The results so far this season have been decent, with one or two slip-ups along the way, including our first home defeat against Watford where we really should of taken the three points against a team that hadn't even scored a goal away from home before then. Despite that though, Paul Hart should be very pleased with his side's performances so far.

The best in my opinion has to be the 1-0 win at Coventry. To go to Highfield Road and create so many chances against a good team and come away with three points was fantastic.

Let's not forget though the 4-0 hammering of Sheffield Wednesday. What a day that was. Living in North Notts means I know an awful lot of Wednesday fans and I enjoyed that game and the few days that followed, I can tell you, not to mention the superb first goal by super David Johnson. What a performance that was!

The home record has been impressive so far, where we have picked up seven points from a possible twelve. The away record on the other hand has been slightly disappointing with only one win in three outings. This needs to improve if we are to maintain a serious challenge for a play-off spot, but if the City Ground can continue to be a fortress then we'll have a good chance of going all the way.

One of the bright points of the season so far is the form of David Johnson. We're starting to see the player he was at Ipswich and hopefully he'll continue to score the goals. Johno's new hairstyle has been ridiculed, but as long as he's scoring goals I'm sure it won't bother him in the slightest, and maybe it's a magic hat after all.

The other players that have impressed me so far are David Prutton, Jack Lester and Marlon Harewood. There have been a number of good performances from individuals but those four stick out in my mind. Competition for places is high this season and it's producing the best out of the players and this can only be good for the club.

Once again the younger players have been superb. This was highlighted in the Worthington Cup game against Kidderminster. Michael Dawson, Craig Westcarr, Eugen Bopp and Chris Doig all put in fantastic performances and it proves that we have a quality squad capable of surprising a few people this season. It would have been nice for Westy to grab a gaol but I'm sure he'll score one soon rather than later. Add John Thompson and Andy Reid to that list above and the talent being produced is amazing. The future defiantly looks exciting for this club.

So what can we expect this season? Well, in this division, who knows? I believe if we can keep the key players injury-free and suspension-free then maybe, just maybe, this might be our year. One thing for sure, it won't be easy and there will be plenty of competition for the play-off places, but I'm sure Paul Hart has prepared his team for the battle and I'm confident. Mind you, I am every season.

It's only five weeks now to the big derby match and I can't wait. It's been a long time since Forest played the sheep and it should be a great game and hopefully we can give the sheep-shaggers a right good hammering! They've not had a brilliant start to the season and seem to be in a worse financial state then we've ever found ourselves in. I have no sympathy for them whatsoever after the piss they took out of us last year. I really can't wait because I've been waiting for this match since the fixtures were published and I'm sure everyone is looking forward to this one.

That's it from me but I'll be back in two weeks with another dose of optimism. Until then, you'll have to amuse yourself by laughing at the sheep during their current plight. Isn't it great?!