Everyday I love you less and less 12/08/05 | by TrickyMatt

Welcome back to the Rambling Red column, now quite remarkably in its 5th season as part of lost that loving feeling. After a summer break from football (watching at least) where I shielded my eyes from the memory of last season as well as the dreaded fixture list (Yeovil!), one thing struck me on my return to literary duties. While Forest fortunes have, apart from one brief flourish, dipped to level I never even contemplated, LTLF has gone from strength to strength, even resurrecting the art of the fanzine. 

After reviewing some of my previous efforts, I concede that I am transforming from an optimist (I predicted that we would finish 3rd after the play-off season) to something of a pessimist. Following relegation, I could only see mid-table mediocrity for the garibaldi but a number of things have happened in the meantime which have lifted my mood.

Firstly, the new Brazil style away kit. Absolutely brilliant. I acknowledge that this doesn’t necessarily mean that super Gareth Taylor is going to morph into Jairzinho of the 1970 era Brazil World Cup winners, but at least we will look better than Derby who have brought out two shocking strips for them to secure their own relegation in.

Secondly, Gary Megson has addressed some of the problem areas in the team. When Taylor had to fill in at the back, you knew we were in trouble, even if he did look a fairly decent defender. Ian Breckin, Danny Cullip, Nicky Eaden, Ian, oops, I mean John Curtis (we know about him already), and Gino Padula should mean that Alan Rogers is unlikely to make a Tony Christie style comeback any time soon. Surely this new batch cannot be as bad as the previous incumbents. Then again, have any other English clubs bought as many turkeys as us?

Thirdly, the return of David Johnson. Okay, his finish against Huddersfield was hardly astounding, but he has a sort of talisman presence around the place. If he can stay fit (and that doesn’t involve the Waterfront) then he may just be the man to get some crucial goals to turn 1-1 draws into 2-1 wins, on a regular basis. I shared the sentiments of Paul Severn in his article 'Goal drought looming?' as I am sure a number of fellow fans did after the utterly riveting pre-season goal-fests Forest served up. I am slightly more confident now.

At Walsall, Forest (well in the latter part of the first half anyway) showed a willingness to get men in the box. This was something blatantly lacking last season. Scott Dobie is obviously a hard working player. If Megson can channel that energy into running into goal-scroring positions as opposed to touchline areas, then he too should be able to crack in a few this season. The run and take against Huddersfield following a superb Kris Commons pass showed plenty of promise.

During recent times it has certainly felt that everyday I have loved Forest less and less. It is so bloody hard to love a team with virtually nothing going for it. I think, and I hope that we are getting ourselves sorted for what should be a reasonable season this time around. It's time to fall in love again and this lady is for turning. The ball is in Forest’s court, take me on some romantic weekends and wine and dine me like you used to, then we’ll see about that mortgage and kids. Fingers crossed for a more loving relationship this season, a promotion charge would certainly help.