NOTTINGHAM FOREST BLOG: 150th season is make or break for the Reds, says fan Steve Corry

Forest began their 150th season with a defeat away to Brighton, with a performance that was below average to say the least.

For me this season will prove to be one of the most important in the club’s history, it’s literally make or break for the club.

This time last season most fans were waxing lyrical about an opening day victory over Blackpool and the return of Stuart Pearce, as you’re well aware by now I was not convinced.

It’s a different scenario this time, there is widespread doubt among the forest faithful and it is understandable to be fair. However, when you look at our squad, embargo or not; we have enough in the ranks to mount a play off challenge.

It is widely agreed that we desperately need a left back and a centre forward, thankfully Chris Cohen is on course to return and fill that defensive gap. The acquisition of a striker is imperative and Freedman must act fast.

If it’s true that we are looking to bring in the Swiss youngster Michael Frey then you can kiss the season goodbye. If you’re going to play with one up front, a striker with less than 10 goals in the last 3 seasons is obviously not the answer.

We need a forward with pace, who can play on the shoulder of any given centre half. Dougie has to take the Watford approach and get a hungry loan signing, if he does not then both himself and the club are in trouble.

Our opening fixture was the showpiece for Sky TV away in Brighton, Forest looked the part in the gold emblazoned anniversary kit. The performance however was more like the ‘Ratner’s’ version!

Brighton were the better side and deserved their victory, Kazenga LuaLua stole a yard on Eric Lichaj before finishing well from the left side of the area for the game’s only goal. We lost Tesche to another injury which didn’t help things at all.

De Vries pulled off a couple of great saves during the game and confirmed that he is more than capable of keeping the shirt for the season. I didn’t think we needed Ben Hamer to be honest, I saw enough of our Dutch stopper last season to know that he’s the man.

Forest rarely threatened despite coming close when Lansbury’s free kick struck the post. Brighton’s impressive Tomer hemed also hit a post as the home side mounted wave after wave of attacks.

It looked like an England game at times, one side pushing and probing for victory whilst the opposition were just trying to avoid defeat. The home side unveiled Bobby Zamora before the game and the travelling band of forest supporters were thankful that he didn’t feature in the end.

Quite a contrast when you think about it; the Seagulls have a few attacking options with their latest acquisition whilst we are scratching around for anyone we can get up top. I said earlier that this is a make or break season and I stand by that statement.

I believe that if we fail to go up this season that our chairman will walk away from the club next May. On the other hand, with a couple of changes over the season, I wouldn’t bet against a play off spot.

I’ll leave you with a quote from a man called Brian Clough: “Nothing surprises you in football.”

By Steve Corry