The full skinny:
Left Brian - shirt illustration by Adam Poole
Though Sven County have been grabbing all the headlines in the last few weeks, flaunting their new-found ‘wealth’ like an office secretary with a ludicrously gaudy engagement ring, the suddenly mousier club on the other side of the Trent has pushed its glasses up the bridge of its nose, pretended to be happy for its colleague (whilst feeling confident that it’ll end up with Jeremy Kyle getting involved), and has been getting its head down to a serious backlog of work this summer.
Yes indeed, Forest have been far the busiest club in the shire, as manager Billy Davies splashes the cash with the backing of an – ahem - English business tycoon. Amazingly, chairman and owner Nigel Doughty seems to have trusted the experienced boss (who is gradually losing his reputation as a ‘Derby reject’) with free reign over the chequebook. It might not last, but with nine signings already and several irons still in the fire (to use one of Joe Kinnear’s favourite phrases), Billy seems to be making the most of it.
This summer there’s also been talk about a new stadium being built in time for the 2018 World Cup. At the moment, Forest clearly have no need for a 50,000 capacity ground - but if we can steer ourselves towards the Premiership, then maybe the plans will start looking a bit more realistic. But would we want to leave the City Ground?
Reassuringly, it’s not all change at Forest; as we go to press, we’re are still waiting for a glimpse of the new home and away shirts. Obviously the administrative staff at the City Ground aren’t used to working at Billy Davies’ speed when it comes to preparation for the new campaign.
Pre-match drinking:
LTLF members will be drinking in The Globe on London Road this season where there’s a healthy selection of ales (unlike our previous drinking hole, the Amici Wine Bar on Radcliffe Road). The Southbank Bar is always full on matchdays too. Fans looking for a quieter pint and quality snap to boot should also consider the Lady Bay (Trent Boulevard) and The Stratford Haven (off Central Avenue).
Best Forest chant:
Has to be our version of You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling – inspired by Tom Cruise and now used to taunt opposition fans after every goal. All together now: ‘You never close your eyes any more when I kiss your lips...’
Players in:
Where to start? Billy Davies has been a revelation this summer. He’s managed to bring back five of last season’s loan players on permanent deals - popular goalkeeper Lee Camp, defenders Joel Lynch and Chris Gunter, winger Paul Anderson and striker Dexter Blackstock, all of whom had a big impact last term. Add to that highly-rated local lad David McGoldrick (from Southampton), Preston’s long-serving captain Paul McKenna and veteran striker Dele Adebola (from Bristol City), plus exciting Polish international Radoslaw Majewski (on a season-long loan), and we’ve got a team that will fill even the most pessimistic Red with hope. For a change.
Transfers out:
We said goodbye to former captain Ian Breckin at the end of last season (he’s joined Chesterfield) and shed a bit of dead weight, but so far we’ve kept hold of our first team players, despite rumours linking Wes Morgan, James Perch and Nathan Tyson with moves. Youngsters Joe Heath, Brendan Moloney, Shane Redmond, James Reid and Matt Thornhill will all get the chance to improve their games while out on loan.
Last season:
19th. Do we have to talk about last season? Not a great campaign, but at least we re-established ourselves in the Championship.
This season:
6th. If Billy can get his new squad to gel quickly then I’m confident we’ll have the talent and – more importantly – strength in depth to push for the play-offs.
Look out for:
Some fantastic betting opportunities for Forest fans. Not only are new club sponsors Victor Chandler offering daft odds on promotion, but rivals Paddy Power are running their own set of special Forest-related markets via the LTLF website.
Best fanzine website:
LTLF.co.uk, naturally, with the busiest Forest forum on the web, daily updates from passionate fans and a plethora of Forest funnies. We also feature posts from some of the
best Forest blogs, including NFFC Blog, EighteenSixtyFive and forestfans.blogspot.com.
Tickets:
Adults £22-£30, Concessions: £6 – £22. Phone 0871 226 1980 or see nffcretail.co.uk.
Nottingham Forest official website
The small but full of potential Forest pre-season thread
Write Commentby 诺丁汉 Jul 22, 2009, 05:30:38 pmExciting times to be honest, we are always going to be the greatest team in Nottingham just wish we (fans) had more say in our club!
by Al (G) Jul 22, 2009, 05:34:55 pmTrying to put together a starting 11 is proving very challenging... so far i've got:
Camp / Smith
Gunter
Morgan
Chambers (or a new CB)
Lynch / Bennett if fit and good enough
Anderson
McKenna
Cohen
Tyson
Earnshaw
Blackstock
Bench: Smith/Camp, Perch, McGugan, Moussi / Majewski /, McCleay, Adebola, McGoldrick
I could happily swap Tyson with McCleary, Adebola or McGoldrick with Earnie / Tyson / Blackstock. Centre midfield is just up for grabs seemingly too.
That's a pretty strong squad right there.
by Al (G) Jul 22, 2009, 05:36:25 pmActually i'd probably swap tyson for cohen (or just drop cohen to the bench) and get mcgugan or majewski in the middle as cohen and mckenna are prob a bit too defensive to play together.
So it's all about picking the starting 11 based on who we are playing. I'll expect us to be playing fast attacking football at home and probably start with adebola up front in the tougher games...
by 诺丁汉 Jul 22, 2009, 05:47:35 pmI'd pretty much agree with the second conclusion, any thoughts on the Chairman forest fans??
by 诺丁汉 Jul 22, 2009, 06:47:06 pmNottingham Forest Home Kit 09-10
Launched:
Vs Stoke City Wednesday 29th July 2009.
On sale 7th August 2009.
Nottingham Forest Away Kit 09-10
Launched:
Monday 24th August 2009
On sale 28th August 2009
by Al (G) Jul 22, 2009, 07:34:28 pmOur marketing dept needs a kick up the arse.
by Al (G) Jul 22, 2009, 07:49:10 pmMajewski scored after 2 mins against Rushden, nice start!
by Al (G) Jul 22, 2009, 07:53:35 pmI also missed that it's been confirmed that he has signed on a year long loan.
by Jared Jul 22, 2009, 09:15:08 pmForest have made some wicked signings! Gunter is ace so i'm told. Also, hopefully that might mean if Moloney does okay then he'll stay with us too.
Blackstock, Adebola and Anderson all sound like proper bargains too! Not as sure about Mckenna and McGoldrick (who certainly never looked like he had the potential of Pennant, Best or even Wilson when he played for us). I know sod all about the Polish lad, but he may well come good.
Realistically if you play a strong team, you should beat us 3-1 or 4-1 on Saturday. Despite the Sven effect, we still have a squad of only 18 players to choose from (that are over 15 years old anyway). And none of them cost anything except for Sean Canham (�5k from Team Bath). They'll be motivated, but so will your lads now and ours are just not yet good enough to compete with you.
Incidentally the ex-Forest players currently in our squad are:
Russel Hoult (on loan to ya once)
John Thompson (our captain now)
Brendan Moloney (still actually your player)
Ben Fairclough (tiny former youth player for you)
Craig Westcarr (after Spencer Weir Daley our fans groaned at this signing from Kettering, but he looked sharp against Arnold Town last night)
Grant Holt / Jack Lester (one of whom might sign before the weekend)
by it's alan Jul 23, 2009, 10:16:01 amRemember when Pemberton took charge for a few games?
He played McGugan just behind the strikers, and it worked really really well?
I think something like this would be a solid attacking line up.-camp-
gunter - wes - chambers - lynch
-mckenna-
anderson - tyson
-mcgugan-
-earnshaw - blackstock
*McKenna to stay back and sit in front of the back four...
* Anderson and Tyson will use pace to thrash the wings,
McGugan will have the skill & vision to make attacking play through the centre.
* Then if needs be, you can swap McKenna for Moussi
* Bring on McCleary for Anderson (McCleary owned so many full-backs last season when he came on as a sub, so much pace and aggression)
*Cohen or Majewski can come on and play anywhere in the centre of the park.
*McGoldrick can replace McGugan... or come on as a striker up front alongside Adebola and/or Garner.
Loads and loads of attacing options and I can not wait
Not bought a Season Ticket because it's not really worth it in A Block.
I have bought a �20 NFFC Membership though, which gives me some priority ahead of General Sale for all league games... plus at least �20 worth of discounts through out the season. That's a good scheme, credit to Forest for that!
by Al (G) Jul 23, 2009, 10:24:17 amYeah i like that formation a lot.
by it's alan Jul 23, 2009, 10:34:02 amYeah i like that formation a lot.
The only problem is, Tyson wants to be am out-and-out striker.
Which is a shame because he's so useful on the wing! (And Cohen, I think, is wasted playing out wide)
by Jared Jul 23, 2009, 12:49:23 pmTotally uncomfirmed rumours on our board that Sol Campbell has been seen in town.
Hypothetically: Forest or County (can't even believe i'm asking that question)? My money's on you lot as you still need centre halves and we don't.
by Albert Herring Jul 23, 2009, 12:56:45 pmI dunno, it's nearly 1 pm and we haven't signed anybody new yet today. I may yet have to go and support Notts instead.
SACK THE BOARD!
by LeftLion Jul 29, 2009, 05:42:50 pmClick here to read this article: Left Brian: August
Billy Davies has been a revelation this summer and we�ve got a team that will fill even the most pessimistic Red with hope. For a change
Please use this thread to comment on the above LeftLion article.
by Lord of the Nish Jul 30, 2009, 06:22:08 pmThe long line of piss-poor Forest shirts continues;
Relegation kit.
by timmy Jul 30, 2009, 06:31:11 pmthat looks crap
by Lord of the Nish Jul 30, 2009, 06:41:19 pmThe stripes make it look as if one shoulder's higher than the other.
When are Forest going to see sense and tell Umbro to fuck off? Forest have not had a decent shirt for nearly 30 years. It's supposed to be a plain red shirt, you fucking cretins.
by 诺丁汉 Jul 30, 2009, 11:04:34 pmThe stripes make it look as if one shoulder's higher than the other.
When are Forest going to see sense and tell Umbro to fuck off? Forest have not had a decent shirt for nearly 30 years. It's supposed to be a plain red shirt, you fucking cretins.
GARIBALDI RED aswell get some sence that colour is an important part of our history!
by Al (G) Jul 31, 2009, 09:27:13 amyeah not great is it, although we'll probably only have it for one season as VC are a one season sponsor. Having said that they are adding rhe sponsors to the shirt in the club shop (if you pay extra!) as it's a gambling company.
by Lord of the Nish Jul 31, 2009, 09:47:35 amThe stripes make it look as if one shoulder's higher than the other.
When are Forest going to see sense and tell Umbro to fuck off? Forest have not had a decent shirt for nearly 30 years. It's supposed to be a plain red shirt, you fucking cretins.
GARIBALDI RED aswell get some sence that colour is an important part of our history!
That goes without saying, you twat.
by Stillman Jul 31, 2009, 09:51:15 amI would highly respect any FA chief exec who came along and banned kit changes.
by Jared Jul 31, 2009, 10:55:34 amyeah not great is it, although we'll probably only have it for one season as VC are a one season sponsor. Having said that they are adding rhe sponsors to the shirt in the club shop (if you pay extra!) as it's a gambling company.
That's cool. I'd much prefer to buy a Notts kit without the sponsor on it - in fact i'd pay extra to do so. Seems stupid to me really that you pay �45-50 for an item of clothing that carries a blatant advert for some (usually) shit company in the middle of it. But the kids love 'em I guess...
by New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Co. Jul 31, 2009, 01:58:30 pmI would highly respect any FA chief exec who came along and banned kit changes.
The players would be pretty smelly by October...
by 诺丁汉 Aug 03, 2009, 11:22:35 amThe stripes make it look as if one shoulder's higher than the other.
When are Forest going to see sense and tell Umbro to fuck off? Forest have not had a decent shirt for nearly 30 years. It's supposed to be a plain red shirt, you fucking cretins.
GARIBALDI RED aswell get some sence that colour is an important part of our history!
That goes without saying, you twat.
How does that make me the twat?
by 诺丁汉 Aug 03, 2009, 11:46:29 amIf your on facebook and you love the legend that was (and still is) Sherwood the bear and want him back at the city ground search Bring Sherwood The Bear Back To The City Ground...
There does seem to be quite a few groups the tried to start the crusade but seem to have failed...
I'm still gonna try it, cos I miss the big feller,
And im sick of the polish looking Robin Hood!
by Lord of the Nish Aug 06, 2009, 06:06:57 pmWhy have one shit shirt when you could have this cut-and-shut Rangers monstrosity as well?
by ketch Aug 06, 2009, 06:33:31 pmI don't mind the new home kit to much, but that looks shite.....
Also I read today we should be buying a new centre back, I can't remember his name, but he's costing �2m.
by 诺丁汉 Aug 06, 2009, 08:19:33 pmPlease please, if there is a god, that is not our ****ing away kit!
by Jared Aug 12, 2009, 10:58:20 amBe interested to see how you fare against Bradford tonight. Their team were gash against us on Saturday, but they'll obviously be more fired up tonight because of it.
Still, if you play a big-man-little-man combo up front (i'd go for Adebola/ Blackstock and Earnshaw/ Tyson) you will probably destroy them. The rest of their team is okay, but their centre-halfs Rehman and Clarke have been terrible every time i've seen them.
Forest to win 4-1 for me.
by Al (G) Aug 12, 2009, 11:57:47 amWe have 2 fit defenders (no lie) so a win whatever the score line would be a good result. I don;t think it'll be anything like the beating County gave them last Saturday - unless we get a couple of early goals and really knock their confidence (further).
by Purple_Jim Aug 12, 2009, 10:33:45 pmBaggie boyz are comin to town
by Al (G) Aug 13, 2009, 01:08:28 pmdecent result last night. Pretty worried about us defensively for saturday but bring it on!
by Albert Herring Aug 13, 2009, 09:02:26 pmLynch was looking better as a central defender last night than he has at LB during preseason; assume that he will be there on Saturday too with Gunter back at RB and Cohen on the left again.
by ketch Aug 13, 2009, 09:47:59 pmis there anywhere i can watch the highlights from last night? i want to see the goals, and this tackle on tyson.....
by Daysleeper Aug 13, 2009, 10:20:44 pmThey are here: http://nffcblog.com/
by Purple_Jim Aug 13, 2009, 10:49:03 pmdecent result last night. Pretty worried about us defensively for saturday but bring it on!
We're pretty lightweight upfront at the moment and still poor at the back, could go either way, should be a good game
by ketch Aug 14, 2009, 06:04:56 pmcheers Daysleeper
by it's alan Aug 17, 2009, 10:28:51 amWe deserved a lot more from the match on Saturday.
A disallowed goal
a missed penalty
two open goal misses.
For long periods of the second half, we were all over WBA... We just weren't ruthless enough. If we create as many chances against Watford, we should have enough to win.
by Jared Aug 17, 2009, 11:41:11 amUnlucky chaps!
Now is David Prutton any good these days? He's being linked with the Magpies...
http://www.leedsunited-mad.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=458143
by Hello Thor Aug 19, 2009, 10:08:45 amhmmmmm
i know we've only played three games but i am starting to worry again and i don't think it's all just down to the defence. the midfield looks a little light on experience to me, despite having mckenna in there. i know raddy has loads of potential but he is going to have to learn very fast, losing mcgugan is definitely a big blow.
by it's alan Aug 19, 2009, 11:10:20 amCohen is wasted at Left-Back. He's not particularly bad in that position except for his positioning. You can see him wandering further & further upfield as the match progresses. Watford figured it out quickly, and attacked down that flank - which led to Cohen having to run himself ragged by sprinting back to LB position, time and time again.
On a positive note, that Majewski player looks pretty decent, a good touch, good positioning and usually finds decent passes.
Why are Forest always so bad at throw-ins?
And corners too?
All through League One, and last season too, we very rarely used these set-pieces to our advantage. It's really frustrating, but also quite bizarre.
I'm not one of those loons who thought we'd be pushing for promotion this season.And, I also know our opening fixtures have been relatively hard. But I did expect a better start than this.
Who's going to QPR on Saturday? I am. Not expecting much to be honest. Would be really good to get a win under our belts before Derby arrive, but I just can't see it happening.
by Al (G) Aug 19, 2009, 12:23:52 pmWe were rubbish last night, we just didn't turn up.
