Passion’s lacking, but not on Megson’s part
05/12/05 | by Elliot Stanley

Another weekend, another capitulation away from home. The Megson Out brigade could be heard in good voice once again. I may not be his biggest fan, but defence where defence is due and I believe it is due here. It may well be easier to aim the crosshairs at the most obvious target and I admit my gut reaction was that something must be done, but on reflection I don't think getting rid of Megson is the right way to go.

One thing that was lacking on Saturday was passion. There was not an iota of pride in the red shirt of Nottingham Forest displayed by any one of our players and that simply isn't acceptable. They seem to play when they feel like it and what's worse is it doesn't seem to matter to them when they don't perform. Perhaps if they had to spend the majority of their wages travelling half way across the country full of hope and expectation every weekend only to be let down and distraught come 5pm they would understand a little more. 

Having a go at Megson is the obvious, perhaps unintelligent, choice. He is the scapegoat, yet only when we play away – at home we seem unbeatable; away from the City Ground a blind and crippled XI could cause us problems. The only explanation that appears to have any reasoned backing is that the players have a problem in their mindset, they are experiencing something similar to what other teams get when they come to Nottingham. Going back a week to Huddersfield, there were eight players – that’s getting toward 75% of our team – in camera shot for Huddersfield's second goal. That is down to lack of application – no number of tactical decisions or personnel changes can make up for that kind of ineptness. 

Megson clearly has pride in the club. He may sometimes appear over-zealous, but this is preferable to not caring at all and he does care. We seem to expect fast-flowing, passing football but unfortunately I must drop a bombshell on those intent on this being our only style of play – we are in Coca Cola League One and, at times, it is necessary to become physical and play a less attractive game. I don't enjoy seeing it anymore than the next man, but we have reached a point in our history where results really are more important than performances. 

I'd be lying if I said I am a Megson fan. I'm not, but the guy deserves a break. The anti-Megson campaigners are only adding to my support for him. Besides, what's the alternative? Nigel Clough? For nostalgia's sake it'd be great, but I doubt he'd want the job… yet.

There is hard graft ahead and maybe Megson will prove not to be the man we hoped he could be, but let’s at least give him a bit of time to have a good go. With the January transfer window coming up we can strengthen the squad a little more and push on in the remaining months. To claim that automatic promotion is no longer a possibility is absurd given the recent demise of Southend, the impending transfer of Swansea's star man and no doubt various other changes in the fortunes of the current top-placed clubs. 

It’s easy to get angry, certainly where Forest are concerned, but its time to take stock, to realise we haven't got – and never did have – a divine right to do well. I certainly don't like having my moods determined by the eleven that Megson sends out of a Saturday, but I'm stuck with it. People can tell you not to let it bother you but what do they know? Nothing in my opinion. I accept inevitable bad moods as part and parcel of having this infallible attachment to Nottingham Forest. It will be 16 years on Boxing Day since my first game and despite the seemingly unstoppable overall decline since that day I still cherish everything that’s good about my club.

I've seen us in a UEFA cup quarter-final, I've seen us promoted, I've seen us beat Man United, Arsenal, Chelsea and most others you care to name. But although now's not an easy time, I wouldn't change it for the world. This club represents a massive, irreplaceable part of my life that is important, not just on a Saturday afternoon, but all week long. I am proud to say I support Nottingham Forest and I have no doubt that Gary Megson is proud to say he is the manager of Nottingham Forest. You can accuse him of many things but lack of passion is not one and right now that’s what this club needs.