What did Kinnear expect? 20/12/04 | by TrickyMatt

A quick scan of the Forest website last Thursday was made more in hope than expectation. As a critic right from the start of Joe Kinnear’s managerial reign, I have wanted him out for what seems like ages. As the page loaded, stage by stage, Joe’s rounded face appeared prominently before the accompanying text. Immediately I knew what was coming, and I was right – it was the end of yet another frustrating and ultimately disappointing period in the history of Nottingham Forest.

Journalist Patrick Collins of the Mail on Sunday succinctly awarded Joe the petulant whine of the week after his latest outburst against the “living in the past” foes of Nottingham. It had got to a stage where I wasn’t taking offence any more, I just felt pity for this poor man, hopelessly losing control of not only the team he was paid to manage, but himself also.

It became apparent to me that Joe was less than well. Four league wins all season was hardly the stuff of promotion, although saying that, I suppose it is one way of getting out of this dreadful division! What did Joe expect, for everyone just to sit on their hands, keep quiet and passively watch week after week of appalling football? Yes we have phone-ins, yes we have the internet, and yes we have freedom of expression (well, sort of).

I couldn’t believe he cited the criticism of his methods on the various phone-ins as a reason why he felt he could no longer continue. A certain Mr Birtles – someone who can annoy me as well, for your information Joe – quite rightly stated that it wasn’t the ex-players who promised “sexy signings” and the rest of it. The whole episode unravelled into something quite pathetic.

Of course, our delightful Chief Executive, Mark Arthur was quick to point out Joe’s achievements of last season. He didn’t state that with the squad we had, this was not a particularly impressive achievement at all. We still managed to lose pathetically at Pride Park, a trick we have performed this season also. What was even more worrying was that Arthur wasn’t expecting it. From someone who was working closely with Joe, surely he could see not only the league table, but also the explicit signs of stress he was under? I am not impressed.

I cannot leave without throwing my managerial suggestions into the arena, for what they are worth. The whole Pearce/Clough movement is one I subscribe to, yet for some reason I cannot see it happening. Some people have questioned Nigel Clough’s managerial experience, or lack of it. For me, it wouldn’t be a problem. With virtually no money at all, Clough has done a tremendous job with Burton Albion, contrary to some beliefs. 

I wouldn’t mind Brian Laws either. I certainly don’t want Mick Harford in charge, but maybe my view of him is tainted by his association with Joe Kinnear. Against Leicester, Harford correctly moved Impey and Rogers away from the defence, but failed to remove them from the team!

It certainly isn’t much fun supporting Forest at the moment and after the latest debacle at Pride Park it surely cannot get any worse. Relegation says it can.