Seven Released Signals Fresh Start for Psycho

Article by e-Nottingham Forest Correspondent Chris Cave

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After an end-of-season collapse that saw a side firmly in the play-off hunt crumble into a team that looked lucky to earn a top half finish, new Forest manager Stuart Pearce will no doubt be wondering just exactly happened in The City Ground dressing room to cause such an implosion.

With 15 games to go The Reds were nine points clear of seventh-placed Wigan and still had hopes of a top two finish. However, in true Billy Davies fashion, his players seemed to burn out as they entered into the business end of the season; going from being unbeaten in 14 after their 2-2 draw with runaway leaders Leicester, to a team that took maximum points from just two of the remaining 15 games. During this spell, Forest suffered home defeats to Charlton and Millwall, got nothing from an away match at bottom club Barnsley, and looked like a side in the heart of a relegation scrap instead of battling for a play-off spot.

Amid the chaos, Kuwaiti owner Fawaz al-Hasawi grew tired of Davies’ petty feud with the media and relieved him of his duties after a humiliating 5-0 defeat at the hands of fierce rivals Derby. The performance, as much as the result, proved to be the final nail in Billy Davies’ coffin. Business for him at The City Ground was finally finished.

After youth coach Gary Brazil took charge for the remainder of the season, Forest seemed to play with no confidence, no conviction, and no passion. Nobody can place any of this blame on Brazil, however, as he was left to pick up the pieces of a catastrophic mess left behind by Davies that saw Reds’ supporters lasting memory of the formerly known ‘King Billy’ to be a sour one.

One positive to be taken from Brazil’s short and unfruitful reign in the Forest dugout was his inclusion of youngsters in his match day squads. Ben Osborn made the most of the opportunity afforded to him by Brazil, proving to be a shining light in many of the drab performances that Forest gave in the end of season run-in. Stephen McLaughlin, Josh Rees, Jack Blake and Dimi Evtimov were also names that found themselves on the team sheet come 3:00pm Saturday, placing fresh impetus on the youth that Davies had ignored throughout his time in charge.

Once club legend Stuart Pearce, affectionately known as Psycho by supporters, was appointed as the new manager, he reiterated his intention to bleed youngsters into the first team setup at The City Ground and signalled the start of a positive new era for the former double-European champions.

The decision to release seven out-of-contract players (Matt Derbyshire, Jonathan Greening, Simon Gillett, Gonzalo Jara, Guy Moussi, Marcus Tudgay and Ishmael Miller) added to the shift into new, positive times ahead at Forest. It may be harsh to call all of the aforementioned players ‘deadwood’, but it was definitely the right time for their time in a Forest shirt to come to an end. It gives Pearce a chance to start afresh and build his own team around the youth of Darlow, Lascelles, Osborn, Lansbury and Paterson; fused with the vital experience of Andy Reid and David Vaughan – constructing a side that can emulate the success of East Midlands rivals Leicester.

With the full backing of the fans, as well as the financial support of the chairman, Pearce has the opportunity to bring in the players he wants and piece together a team that combines youth and experience and doesn’t have to worry about shipping out players who are surplus to requirements.

A goalscorer will undoubtedly be high on Psycho’s summer shopping list whilst the former England U21 boss attempts to create a footballing ethos that The City Ground faithful can be proud of. Tying down Henri Lansbury to a new contract will also be high on Pearce’s prerogative as Forest look to become promotion contenders next season.

2015 will celebrate 150 years of Nottingham Forest Football Club: boasting an illustrious history and a trophy cabinet that most clubs envy. Although at present times are not so glorious for Forest supporters, it appears the appointment of Pearce is a step in the right direction for bringing success back to The City Ground. Indeed, after a season of chaos and disappointment, it looks as though the future is bright on Trentside.

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