lost that loving feeling - Spirit of Freddie an example to Forest

As cricket fans celebrate the highest of highs this week, those who are also unfortunate enough to be Forest supporters too, know that it may be just a short respite from our sporting woes. Led so often by the inspirational Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff, the England cricket team, has fought back from some precarious situations, to match the opposition and then to win in style – despite the loss of a few million fingernails!

Yet it’s easy to remember that England lost the first Test at Lords. Forest too have started badly, yet seem unable to find any answers. England were well drilled and stayed with the same XI. Forest changed goalkeeper, moved their centre forward into defence and lost five of the first seven league games.

England succeeded against the very best in the world. They made experienced Australian Test campaigners look ordinary and kept going when Shane Warne, the best bowler in the world, threatened to ruin their party. Forest on the other hand, have trouble keeping at bay talents such as Swindon’s Rory Fallon and Brentford’s Darren Pratley. Our squad, experienced, costly, and reputedly talented, is consistently outplayed by meager opponents who simply have a greater desire to win.

Cricket too, can teach us a lesson or two about competing with determination. The Australians play hard, fight to the end and bat and bowl with skill and invention. Tail-enders score fifties and the key players stand to be counted. Forest pump long balls towards five-foot-six David Johnson and wonder why it’s not effective.

When things go wrong, Australia make changes, dropping stalwarts like Jason Gillespie and give debuts to young fast bowlers such as Shaun Tait. Forest leave promising youngster Spencer Weir Daley out the squad and bring in a 32-year-old Tranmere reserve.

The Australians too, show class in defeat. Their captain, Ricky Ponting congratulated England on being the better side. After the calamitous Scunthorpe defeat, Gary Megson said he hates losing games he has dominated – yet the official web site showed Scunthorpe had 50% possession, more shots on goal and more corners.

If any Forest players or coaching staff watched any of the Ashes, they might learn from Australia that you have to fight every inch – even to lose in style. From Freddie and England they can learn even more. Flintoff has not always been a star, he’s fought back from considerable lows to become a hero. Spinner Ashley Giles was barracked a few years ago, but has made the most of a limited talent to become one of the toasts of English sport.

Forest have to start fighting now, even if it just to stay in League One. Somebody has to look at Freddie, and score a great goal, save a penalty or simply give 100%. If they do that, then, even if they lose, they will regain the respect of the fans.