Forest grow a spine
05/04/06 | by Andrew Brookes

Yeovil, Barnsley, Oldham, Milton Keynes… the list of away nightmares is endless this season. Countless times Forest sides, of which we were constantly reminded were ‘better on paper’, folded like the proverbial deck of cards at the slightest inkling of pressure away from the creature comforts of life at home at the City Ground. That seems to have changed now though, and with much the same personnel, the Frank and Charlie era has reaped away day rewards. The transformation in fortunes was clear for all at Saltergate on Saturday, and the strong spine of the team now seems to be able to cope with all challenges thrown at them.

Chesterfield were indeed on a downward spiral before Forest arrived for this fixture (dubiously dubbed a derby, but lacking the special feeling of one), and that seemed to be confirmed by a defensive performance that was decidedly shaky. But it was not so long ago that Forest were a team so generous on their travels that they gifted everyone they visited an easy end to their own bad runs. This was certainly the case against MK Dons, who were thoroughly relieved to have got their survival push on track in a simple home win against a disjointed mess of a Forest side. Away from home, Forest were like the abject opposite of the Harlem Globetrotters, touring around the depths of League One (and big crowds turned up for this touring show!), amazing all and sundry with their superb ability to capitulate at any given moment, and make the home team look like Brazil in front of their jubilant fans.

The trip to Chesterfield showed what we all hoped for from a Forest team on their travels this season. They looked up for the fight, were prepared to work hard, and looked capable of getting goals at any point. Nathan Tyson’s pace and Grant Holt’s strength and presence certainly proved a formidable task for the Spireites back line. At no time could it really be said that Forest were totally in control, although at times they did look quite comfortable, but no-one, especially given the previous form, expects Forest to be able to dominate totally on the road. To be able to compete and to be able to earn victories is a massive step in the right direction, and if this had been the case before February then the play offs would certainly not be a far-off dream, albeit one that’s becoming more and more attainable as the games go by.

The real key to the success of recent weeks, aside from the goal threat from the emerging Holt-Tyson partnership, has been the unsung success of the old heads that have formed a formidable backbone for the side. This has been provided by Ian Breckin and the resurgent Gary Holt. Breckin has certainly looked a deal more assured in recent weeks, and has commented in the press that he has benefited from the less fraught atmosphere of the post-Megson era. He has barely missed a header and was at his imperious best for the visit to the club he captained earlier in his career. Added to this, the ‘Breckin corner’ has proved the most deadly attacking weapon throughout the season, and he is well on course for his first ever ten-goal season haul. 

As much as Breckin provides a linchpin for the defence to rally around, Gary Holt is growing to do the same job in central midfield. Maligned in some circles for his lack of finesse on the ball, Gary has really come in to his own as the workhorse in the centre, giving all the effort he can muster and more besides to making sure the opposition midfield can never be settled. His main problem seems to be that, with other defensive midfielders around him in the side, he can often play too deep. This in turn invites long range efforts from the opposition, as proved costly at Bristol City and Chesterfield with Phil Picken’s piledriver. It really seems though that, after a start to his Forest career that was undistinguished at best, he has grown in stature under Barlow and McParland. With his experience, workrate and determination at the heart of the side, Gary Holt was to provide the platform from which others were able to win the game against Chesterfield.

The contributions of Holt and Breckin have therefore provided the spine to the team that was lacking in decidedly spineless performances earlier in the season. They, like the other key players in the side, have been in place all season but like so many others have flourished with the approach of the caretaker duo. With these two in form, and growing in confidence, the likes of Tyson and Commons can add the touch of creation that is required to make a successful formula. If these two continue to do their jobs to this level, and the troops rally around them, as they did in difficult conditions at Saltergate, then the play off dream may still not be totally out of reach.