August sees the new football season begin for our three local league teams: Mansfield Town, Notts County and Nottingham Forest. Following a summer of World Cup action it’s back to the day-to-day and hopefully hydration breaks, interference from Donald Trump and middle of the night kick-offs will all be a thing of the past. Our regular fan columnists Josh, Julian and Gareth are all on the case to let you know what you can expect from their teams…
How did last season go?
For much of last season it was plausible that we’d get relegated and win the Europa League. In the end, we avoided both with a couple of weeks to go. The intense schedule of our European run created a strange sensation: by most metrics we were having a terrible season and yet rarely would four days go by without a win. Also we had four different managers, which it would be nice to avoid this season.
What games are you looking forward to this season?
After a 55-year wait, we’ve now beaten Liverpool at Anfield in each of the last two seasons. So let’s call that a happy hunting ground while we still can. It’s been an ice age since we last got anything out of Bournemouth, so I’ll stick my neck out and say we’re doing the double over them. Crystal Palace away will be tasty since we poached their manager.
Tell us about the gaffer…
I’m delighted with the appointment of Oliver Glasner. I’ve always thought the model for Forest to follow was Aston Villa. They sold Jack Grealish for £100m and went out and got the best manager they could, Unai Emery. What followed has been non-stop success for them. Forest have sold Elliot Anderson for £116m and appointed Glasner, a man who wouldn’t have looked out of place at Old Trafford or the Etihad. We have an elite manager, on the up, with a well-defined philosophy and playing style. If he’s not still with us at the end of the season it says more about us than it does him.
Who are your best three players?
Neco Williams is the best fullback Forest have had since Stuart Pearce. His lung-busting work rate and commitment are something else. Morgan Gibbs-White is the best player I’ve ever seen in a Forest shirt. Everyone knows his tricks and flicks, but I’ve never seen a number ten who does so much of the ugly stuff too. We’re very lucky to see all the things Southgate tribute act Thomas Tuchel obviously can’t. Central defender Murillo isn’t just a bundle of Brazilian fun, but he occasionally pops into my local gym for a workout. He plays with freedom and joy.
Tell us about your new signings…
Just one at the time of writing as Austrian midfielder Xaver Schlager joined us on a free transfer after starting four games for his country in the World Cup. There’s likely to be more by the time you read this though.
Fan group Forza Garibaldi are amazing: so much commitment, energy, enthusiasm and creativity
What big boots are there to fill?
Elliot Anderson. It was an absolute privilege to witness him quickly become a world-class talent. It’s pointless trying to directly replace our Geordie Maradona, but I’m pleased it’s Glasner we’ve brought in to redesign the midfield.
What’s the mood of your fans?
It’s good. Glasner’s a real coup and the more sadistic among us will enjoy the fact it prolongs our beef with Crystal Palace. Plenty of us need a season to recover from the toll the European run took on our bank balance, and we know that the absence of those midweek games will give us the fitness advantage over half the league next season.
What’s the best chant on the terraces?
I love the logic behind the song which insists that Murillo, born 6000 miles away, “hates the Derby.” It’s also to the tune of Salt-N-Pepa’s Push It.
Where do you think you’ll finish?
Ninth. Success will be getting to a cup final. Failure will be the ownership and/or the fans turning on Glasner. It’s about time we all gave a manager a chance to fail, make some mistakes and come out the other side together.
What’s special about your club?
Fan group Forza Garibaldi are amazing: so much commitment, energy, enthusiasm and creativity. Their values shine for Forest even in the darkest times and they help keep things in perspective.
If your team was a film, what would it be?
The Producers. We do self-destructive things (like hire four different managers in a season) and yet somehow end up in a European Semi-Final.
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