The Rambling Red - Issue 8 25/10/02 | by TrickyMatt

Well here we are; the nights are drawing in, the wind is cold, and the rain is teeming down. Sounds like a raw deal, yeah? Well take a crafty peek at the league table and the frown should be replaced with a knowing smile. Yes, my teletext button has been relatively redundant over the past few years, but now appears in constant use as I attempt to seek solace in our lofty position, especially in comparison to our sheep-bothering neighbours!

It was a pity that we couldn’t turn over the Sheep on their own patch but a hard fought away point is always a welcome one. I wasn’t able to obtain a ticket with the Red Army, so strings were pulled and I ended up with the enemy. I was at the other end to the Forest masses and there was some great value for money in the Derbyshire stand or whatever it was called. What I mean by this was that the inhabitants of the said stand were probably not allowed out without supervision. Every time Derby were remotely close to the Forest goal, you would hear high pitched screams closely resembling Beatlemania! I half expected John, Paul, George and Ringo to step out and regale us with 'Paperback Writer' or some other Beatles classic. Well, maybe not.

One lad was so pissed, he was escorted out at half-time after sitting with his head in his hands for the entire first half. Muggins here thought it was a reflection on Derby’s league position.

With regard to the game, I thought Forest were good in the first half and were obviously unlucky with a couple of offside decisions. To me it seemed that the final ball was lacking whilst the approach play was neat and precise. The second half was a bit disappointing as we were forced further and further into our own half. Just wait till we get them back to Nottingham!

I sincerely hope all and sundry have been watching the excellent second series of The Office, shown on BBC2. David Brent’s inspiring office pep talks seem impressive enough to me; maybe Harty should incorporate them into his team talks! More laughs have been available with the re-runnning of That Peter Kay Thing. One of the episodes contained a character selling ice creams out of one side of his van, whilst selling pornographic videos out of the other - Classic! Also, keep your eyes peeled for the brand new Alan Partridge offering coming soon.

With games coming up against Leicester, Norwich and Sheffield United, Forest have a real chance to become forerunners in the title race. I can certainly see Pompey and Leicester slowing up which should provide us with the chance to make up the ground. A free-scoring David Johnson is obviously vital to this process, as is the form of the mecurial Michael Dawson. If you recall, my last piece attempted to extol the virtues of the said defender and my observations seem to be a consensus shared by Leeds and Manchester United.

If anyone in official Nottingham Forest capacity reads this (doubt it!), don’t bloody sell him. The performance he showed at the Sheep Dip was once again commanding and highly impressive. Let's hope he can be a future star for a Forest side in the top division and not become another Jemaine Jenas. After all, we are Nottingham Forest, not Norwich City (no offence Canaries, but you are a selling club, always will be and will never compete for major prizes - fact!) so le's get promoted and keep these talented gems.

Anyhow, that’s enough rambling for the time being. Keep the faith, give the lads the support they need and keep checking the table cause I bet you will be smiling form ear to ear.