Disorientated 25/02/04 | by TrickyMatt

I am completely and utterly disorientated with all things Forest at the moment. Paul Hart’s departure was inevitable - results just weren’t good enough, full stop. Nevertheless, I was desperate for the team to turn it around for him, but it just wasn’t to be. Transfer market failure is a much-talked-about topic at present, what with Gerard Houllier facing similar, if on a larger scale, criticism from supporters. The replacement, however, came to me as a big surprise.

Joe Kinnear’s record at Wimbledon was impressive, the style of football less so. Kinnear may not have been as “direct” as messers Bassett and Gould before him, but was nonetheless robust in the way his teams played. The constant Glenn Hoddle speculation appeared to be set in stone yet suddenly that option appears more appealing.

The bringing in of Andy Impey and Alan Rogers left me furious. My mind instantly reverted to last season’s home encounter with the much-hated Leicester City. I recalled David Prutton picking up the ball on the halfway line next to the Brian Clough stand facing Andy Impey. Prutts just pushed the ball to one side of the absent necked full back, before running the length of the half into the box (with the ball!) unchallenged. I knew Impey was poor, but that was ridiculous.

On hearing this Leicester luminary would be staring for the Reds, my heart sank. How far we have fallen can surely be judged by this signing. Forgetting the fact that he notched a goal (from five yards mind!) within three minutes of his debut, is he really better than players such as Brian Cash, Eugen Bopp, Gareth Williams, John Thompson, etc?

Alan Rogers’ return was even more surprising considering his treatment when he returned with Leicester last term. The spraying with Boost bars was condemned in many quarters (not mine) but it showed just exactly what we think of players leaving for those illustrious East Midlands fox bothering neighbours of ours. Despite my annoyance and general depressive state, I will support them as long as they pull on the famous Red shirt of Nottingham Forest.

One thing that Kinnear has managed so far is the fact that we are now actually putting the ball in the back of the net. Gareth Taylor AND Marlon King scoring in the same game must have brought a belated smile to a certain Mr Hart’s face.

Let’s just draw on some realism here, all the same. Taylor’s was an absolute sitter and until he starts scoring what I would call “real” goals then he should keep his head down rather than running over to gesticulate at disgruntled Main Stand regulars. With regard to that issue, the fan in question shouldn’t have said and done what he did. Criticism such as that is not overly welcome but I am sure he was the first to point out that at least it sparked a rare Taylor goal, quite a feat in his three minutes on the pitch!

I had the games against Coventry City, Walsall and Rotherham United as seeing a much needed return to form for Forest and a guaranteed seven points (I had the away game with the Millers as the tough one), yet we managed just two.

I guess this just goes to show how ridiculously optimistic football fans are, bordering on the delusional. Maybe apart from my Dad, who continuously predicts a Forest draw, whether it be Manchester United away, or Kidderminster Harriers at home. 

You will probably be reading this after the re-arranged home game against Gillingham, which has taken on massive importance. The point-generating swine down the A52, along with the form of teams such as Burnley and Watford, have for the first time got me particularly worried about the prospect of Division Two football next season. At this point, I would like to refer readers to my pre-season prediction of a 3rd place finish!

Despite any cold sweats, sleepless nights, etc, in Joe Kinnear I feel we have a boss capable of dragging us out of the mire. If we can replace ourselves with Derby then all the better.

On hearing Joe’s appointment, I drew comparisons with the scenes at Portman Road when it became apparent that Joe Royle was to replace George Burley as manager. The protests against the likeable Royle rang loud and clear but I am sure most of those fans are slightly more appeased now. After dragging Town up the table last season, Ipswich look realistic play-off hopefuls which could see the club returning back to the promised land.

I think managers such as Royle (great record with Oldham and Manchester City, don’t forget), Kinnear, and Dave Bassett have a knack of getting teams results in the unpredictable and often mediocre world of Nationwide football. Despite this magic wand-waving, I feel the real knack is knowing when to sack them, i.e. when you eventually get promoted. This task seems a long way off for Mr Doughty. For the time being, I will settle for survival keeping my fingers crossed that Derby face a visit to Field Mill next season.