Review of the April - signs of progress
30/04/04 | by Adam Gray

It was never in doubt, was it? Forest are finally safe from relegation and thoughts can turn towards our final two games, knowing that they are no longer as important as the previous few.

In fact, April is the first month of our season where we have gone the entire month without defeat, which is a real sign of progress. It is a shame that it has taken so long for Forest to be considered as a difficult team to beat, which we thankfully now are under Joe Kinnear, because had we turned the corner a month earlier, who knows where we could have ended up? Just ask Crystal Palace. 

There has been a real buzz around the City Ground since David Johnson’s full return, and his three goals this month has been a real confidence booster. Two more games this season – hopefully he hasn’t finished scoring yet.

Not only was April our first unbeaten month of the season, but we also managed to salvage some pride back by beating Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, a result which left us all very happy, yet also with a feeling of where we could have been had we done it last May. Nevertheless, it was a great performance, one that found the Blades out for the average team they really are. 

There have not been many times this season where the positives outweigh the negatives, but this month has been such an occasion, and long may it continue.

Here are April’s awards:

Player of the Month
I am going to give this to a player that has worked extremely hard to get back into the team. His patience, determination, but above all, his ability in front of goal gives me no choice but to give the award to David Johnson. 

Goal of the Month
No contest. Andy Reid’s 35-yard screamer against Millwall. Not only Goal of the Month, but a genuine Goal of the Season contender.

Performance of the Month
Sheffield United away on the 3rd. An away win of the highest value, especially against a side who deprived us of so much 11 months ago. Part of the reason why we – and probably the Blades – are looking forward to Division One football again next season.

Idiot of the Month
There are two idiots of the month this time. One is our old mate Mark Cowburn, who “refereed” the Stoke game. The other is Millwall’s Daniele Dichio, whose reaction towards Wes Morgan has cost him his place in the FA Cup Final.

We close out the season at home to playoff-chasing Wigan, then a trip to West Bromwich Albion on the final day, a team who will still need points for the championship. It’s an opportunity to play without the pressure of needing a result, but it would be nice if we could spoil one or both of these teams’ seasons.

Make sure to look out for my end-of-season piece in a couple of weeks, where I will reveal the winners of the player, goal, performance and idiot of the season awards as well as offer my honest opinions of season 2003/04.

E-mail me with any comments at adamgray50@hotmail.com