Left Brian: March

Off the pitch...

We started the month pondering whether Smoulderwood's deep cutting into the squad during the transfer window was wise, with no late arrivals materialising most notably to replace Nicky Southall. Perhaps inspired by this, a bunch of short-sighted 'fans' started plotting an anti-Nigel Doughty website. In the meantime, in happier news Kris Commons was nearing a return to full fitness (or as close to 'fitness' as he ever gets!). Meanwhile, the ever fickle element of the Forest faithful were starting to turn on the manager.

We discovered that a movie about Cloughie will indeed be made - based on "The Damned United" - a semi-fictional account of his infamous 44 days in charge of dirty Leeds. In the meantime, Forest fans were left wondering what on Earth had got into Nathan Tyson, who seems to have lost his discipline. Smoulders continued to get flack from the fans - I don't think there IS a right way for him to please some of our supporters with his media comments.

One fan thoughtfully formulated the Smoulderwood Conundrum, and proved to predict a template that Smoulds would later follow - does he read my blog after all? In the meantime, captain Ian Breckin was subject to heavy criticism for apparently swearing at one particularly unintelligent sounding supporter. We also took time out to laugh at how fickle some of Direby County's fans are - I regret to say the sheep-botherers are having a rather good season so far, as I'm sure you're aware.

The month ended with other teams playing rather than us, and left us in third place - just a point from second place (not bad considering our mixed run of form), leading us into March which features absolutely massive games away at Scunthorpe and Bristol City. So we've been down, generally - but we're not out just yet!

On the pitch...

A late equaliser for Bradford cost Forest two points with a solid performance at Valley Parade. The next game saw the Reds welcome Smoulders' old boys Northampton to the City Ground, and despite heroics from their keeper Bunn, Forest triumphed 1-0. This was followed up by an infuriating defeat to Brighton away. The next game was at the City Ground, and whilst it was annoying to end up drawing thanks to a dodgy penalty, Blackpool were on balance the better side.

Chesterfield were up next, and we claimed all the points with a battling display at Saltergate - taking a season's total of six points from the Direbyshire outfit with an edgy 2-1 win. An embittered and unprofessional photographer for the Chesterfield official website referred to David Prutton as "a random tramp" which made me chuckle quite a bit!

Forest have remained unconvincing, but we managed to take it out on Huddersfield, who were on the wrong end of a bit of a shoeing - with the Reds putting in a lethal display of finishing to end the game 5-1 winners (and it could have been more). It's done our goal difference the power of good, and it's put us back up to second place for the start of a very important month, could it finally be a month that is wholly positive for me to write about? (note: this was written before the Doncaster game - LL)