The Rambling Red - Issue 9 15/11/02 | by TrickyMatt

Well readers, the rain is heavy, the skies are dark, what have we to look forward to? Hopefully promotion! Recent weeks have seen the boys in red come up against other promotion candidates and have more than held their own. Admittedly there have been a few draws, but the progress is outstanding. At least we are not getting beat, especially at places like Norwich and Palace, places which have seen us slip up in the past. The season is still relatively young but the foundations for a top 6 finish are already in place, something which we are certainly capable of. Anyway, on with the show…..

The game against little Leicester City was something to warm the hearts of even the most disinterested fan. The comeback from two down was fantastic and thoroughly deserved. Our opponents are candidates for promotion and you can see why. A big team, built on aerial attacks are always going to have a chance in this division. Forest on the other hand, play the way the game is supposed to and it was great to see the lads battle back, yet doing so in the style we have become accustomed to. The atmosphere was also a welcome improvement. Even Pinnacle Place and the West Bridgford upper were making lots of noise which added to the hostile feeling of the afternoon. As for the A-Block, throwing Boost Bars at Leicester players is obviously something the police aren’t too fond of but I thought it hilarious! I was a bit peckish so next time lads, throw ‘em my way. Another funny story I heard was a car bedecked with Leicester regalia got egged at a petrol station on the way back from the game! Oh my heart bleeds! Apart from all this obvious excitement, coming away from the game felt like a victory march, we are back and in good shape.

However, the five star performance was saved for the visit of our South Yorkshire friends, Sheffield United. For me, this was the best United team I have seen in Nottingham for ages, playing neat football, especially through the talented Michaels, Tonge and Brown. Talented as they are, we destroyed them and I along with the other revellers loved it! The passing football was a joy with star performances all over the pitch. Special mention from this game has to go to Louis-Jean and David Prutton who were my Man of the Match candidates. Prutton in particular has really turned it on recently with powerful and athletic performances, crucial to the success of our team. Players like Gareth Williams (great second half against Sheff Utd) need strong runners like Marlon and Prutton to make the ball possible. My dad was in attendance at the aforementioned game and I muttered to him something along the lines of, “you couldn’t imagine we would be watching this type of stuff three years ago” - I was in footballing heaven!

I will be absent for the visit of Bradford due to a birthday bash in the fair city of Dublin. I should expect wet streets, plenty of English and lots of the black stuff. I hope to be toasting three points come Saturday evening, as well as my mate's birthday of course!

A recent musical release of note was the new album from Badly Drawn Boy. For those who unaware of the genius that is Damon Gough, it’s time to get educated. Writing all his own stuff, playing most of the instruments and creating havoc at his live shows, BDB possesses the kind of inventiveness sadly lacking in this era of manufactured rubbish, something which I for one welcome. It's hard to pigeon hole the tunes, but this offering certainly shows a leaning to the Beatles with lyrics you wouldn’t really expect in acclaimed works such as this. If you were considering getting this album, I suggest you do so as there are at least seven noteworthy offerings.

On the entertainment front, Alan Partridge made a welcome return to our screens. I read a moderate review but I would conclude that Alan is as funny as ever. To see what the fuss is about, Monday 10pm, BBC2 will reveal all. From the first episode, there were many classic moments but the telling of school children to “rubber-up” when partaking in homosexual acts did it for me! I’m not sure what that says about me though! Stay tuned, disappointed you won’t be.

Shed Seven, Yorkshire’s favourite indie poptarts begun their second album by proclaiming its “Getting Better”. For Forest it certainly is.