Played on grass
11/01/06 | by Elliot Stanley

I've spoken in the past about optimism and how it often blinds us as football fans. Even before they kick a ball, every new signing brings new hope, a belief that the much heralded aims will be achieved. I've also spoken in defence of Gary Megson, despite perhaps not being totally sure myself of his suitability and indeed ability. But talk is cheap and it's actions that count. The days leading up to a game invariably contain media speculation, fan anxiety and a world of unknown for the players, but this will all be engulfed by harsh reality in the ninety minutes that follow out on the pitch.

There is a feeling around Nottingham Forest, with the signing of two promising young players, that the big push for promotion is most definitely on. With the return of Kris Commons, the impending return of Scott Dobie and more 'irons in the fire' so to speak the impact is going to be even greater. But none of this matters, its just words, its just fantasy. A great man once spoke of the fact that football is played out on grass and not paper and, as with so many of his words, he was right on a number of levels. Cautious optimism is the key for Forest in the coming months, we should be encouraged by events during the transfer window so far, buoyed by the return of two of our better players but not looking at them for salvation. Success has never and will not come easily and if anyone knows that it's Gary Megson, whose 'hard work' ethic is well known. 

Taking second place in the division as our marker, we are twelve points from where we want to be. I am not suggesting that I expect us to finish second or that I think we will, but it seems, at this stage, a target that is achievable and challenging in equal measures. We have a couple of games in hand, but again we're down to the paper vs. grass scenario. Inevitably we see two games in hand as six points gained, but more often than not the harvest does not offer such a fruitful return. It's down to damn hard work from now until the final game in May and then maybe three more after that.

Personally I believe a play-off place would be a superb achievement for the club. Many will argue that we have a great squad, full of players who could ply their trade at a higher level but again I refer you to the paper vs. grass argument. The job Gary Megson had in not only assembling a team of decent ability but also shifting attitudes, changing the mentality of the club. When facing up to relegation this is as, if not more, vital than the standard of players you get in, as you get further down the football pyramid attitude, commitment and confidence take greater precedence, and ability, whilst still an asset, is not as much of a guarantee of relative success as it is at higher levels.

On a personal level, I feel more detached than ever from my beloved Nottingham Forest. Currently exiled in Leeds I am far away enough for my liking but an impending move to Ireland's capital, whilst having its advantages, has the one huge downside of greater division between my club and myself. It's not difficult to stay in contact with what's going on - modern technology sees to that - but for someone who rarely misses a game there is nothing more agonising than being elsewhere on match day; internet commentaries cannot replace the real thing and as a substitute they do nothing more than raise my blood pressure beyond that of a game viewed 'live', such is the difficulty in visualising what's really going on. You see, football isn't played on paper; it's not played out in the pub over a pint; its not contested in a fanzine. It's played on grass, and that’s where it needs to be played between now and May.