Nottingham Forest: Another one bites the dust

Article by e-Nottingham Forest Correspondent Matthew Walker

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Now the highs and lows of the 2013/14 season are nearly over, unless an absolute miracle occurs and we actually win every game and teams around us pick up our current form, it looks like yet another season in the Championship. Another season has bitten the dust. Of the 58 goals we have conceded all season, Darlow has had pick the ball 23 times out of the net in the last two months alone. Yet again, like the best con men, we have promised much and delivered little. However I have to ask myself, with this pattern of perpetual failure to finish the job, why do I have optimism that we can complete the assignment of reaching the promised land of the Premiership next season. This article will now try and highlight why.

The Leicester Example

Leicester have followed a very similar pattern to ourselves. They were pumped full of money, and in recent seasons have came so close but yet so far to the Premiership. Last year they were flying high for so long and then crashed. However we all know the story of what has happened this season. Many have said the reason for this success has been they have had a settled squad and have had something to prove. I genuinely believe with the exception of a decent striker and a much needed injection of pace Forest will not need to add many players next season. Additionally with the financial fair play rules, I am unsure whether we can afford to sign many more players. Additionally not only do the players have something to prove, so does passionate Pearce. He is a great player but the jury is out whether he can be a great manager.

Injuries

Billy Davies consistently and tirelessly used our injury list as an excuse for our deteriorating performances but the facts do back this theory up. When Hobbs, Reid and Lansbury have started together we have lost once in 22 games. We have been defeated 7 times out of 11 when the three haven’t started. Many believe Burnley are only so high because they have managed to consistently play their best starting eleven. I genuinely believe a backline of Cohen,Wilson, Hobbs and Lichaj is one of the strongest if not the strongest defence you will see in this league. This is with the addition of one of England’s great prospects Lascelles as backup! Add that to the midfield of Lansbury, Vaughan, Reid and Paterson and it is only the strikers who you could claim are not at the required standard.

The Pearce Factor

Without doubt Fawaz pulled off a positive PR triumph in appointing Pearce. If Forest can get off to a flying start under the club legend, I believe we can be pulled along a crest of a wave throughout the season. If we start well the fans will continue to flock, as I am sure they will for the Pearce Factor at the start of the season, and we will once again become an intimidating cauldron to play in and momentum can be built to get us over the finish line.

A Chief Executive

If the rumours are true Fawaz is looking to bring in a Chief executive. If we only bring in one signing in the close season I believe this is the most important one. Fawaz has done a lot of great things for this club and may have built the foundation for our success. However there are grumblings he is too hands on. For example the signing of the Algerians and his demands they play. I think Fawaz means well, is a great fan of the club, but if he takes more of a back seat and lets a chief executive be responsible for the day to day running of the club, many of the embarrassments on signings and laughable PR he has created for the club can be avoided which have only brought morale down this season.

I believe Fawaz’s behaviour can have a big influence on this club, if he can show trust in those he has employed not just by having patience with Pearce like Leicester owners have shown with Pearson, but also letting experienced men do their jobs with little interference, then with a combination of all these factors including luck highlighted above, we could very feasibly see Stuart Pearce lift another trophy for Nottingham Forest above his head next season.

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