Must Do Better

It's been a strange old summer. Four weeks of nothing; not a peep from the club and then news gets out (unofficially, of course) that, after numerous meetings and discussions, Billy will stay. The majority seemed happy but everyone is at least in agreement that we now need to make some damn signings. A few days later the manager is gone; on a Sunday of all days. Being in Rome at the time I didn't even know about it until the next evening when McClaren had been appointed. Initially it left something of a bad taste that Davies had been removed after guiding us out of the lowest point in our recent history and taking us to the dizzy heights of the top-six in consecutive years. Sure he had his faults but his record, certainly in comparison to his predecessors, is unquestionable.

As a spectator he was the bees knees; moulding a hard working and eye-catching team while creating a siege mentality around the club. Our defeats at Derby in 2010, the Leeds debacle and his final game at Swansea stand out for me as evidence of how he could pick us up of the floor and turn a silent away crowd into a defiant and proud set of supporters. I watched McClaren skulk down the tunnel at full-time yesterday and I missed all that.

As a supporter though, maybe his removal was for the best. Following the defeat and Norwich and his subsequent outburst it was obvious that relations between him and his superiors was shot to pieces and you have to feel that if it had happened earlier in the season he may have been shown the door. I would suggest, however, it was his reluctance to turn to the academy that have been the ultimate motivation behind the chairman's decision to terminate his contract. As we have since seen and heard, the board believe that this latest batch of youngsters are good enough should be given every opportunity to make the grade which would have been difficult under Davies. McClaren's record of blooding and developing youngsters, plus the dual role of Rob Kelly as assistant manager and development coach is further indication of the boards intentions. Doughty's favourite Twitter subject, Financial Fair Play, apparently makes this all the more crucial. 

Despite a few clowns jumping the gun, we aren't going to really know if the gamble had paid off until the league starts to take shape at the end of the season. As hard as it may be, perhaps a season of mid-table obscurity awaits with next season the real acid test. That doesn't hold much water with me; the squad has arguably been strengthened from last term (now that we have a couple of new strikers anyway) and top-six should be a realistic aim once again.

But anyway, thanks for the memories, Billy.

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Sat in Wetherspoon's in Holborn, London at 9:45 on a Saturday morning could only mean one thing...the football season was back. It had seemed likely the game wouldn't survive at one stage in midweek due to the scum of London and beyond running amok and shaming the nation to the watching world. They aint quite so anxious to do the same now though now they have realised that that there will be consequences for their deeds. 

Myself, PL and Matt continued south to Waterloo at 11:15am to meet Cags and Karl who were sat inside the pub on Platform 1 at the station. Following a quick pint we made our way to the Inn on the Wharf at London Bridge which many may recall from our visit after the Palace game. Our presence this time was a little more low-key; no mexican waves or anything like that! We found a table next to a foreign couple who were jabbering away. 'What language is that'? I asked to the group; foolishly not considering they might actually understand. 'It's Dutch' the bloke replied! A mainly football related conversation soon kicked in when we learned he was an Anderlecht fan. Turns out although they spoke Dutch they were actually from Belgium and on a four day trip to the city. We informed him that we were Forest fans which he instantly acknowleged. '1983'? I suggested but it failed to hit home so I tried again. 'UEFA Cup semi-final. you cheated' I said leaving little doubt this time. This did the trick!

The final task before the train to South Bermondsey was to meet the Sea Beast who was in All Bar One by the station. Unsurprisingly, he wasn't there. Instead we bumped into him on the concourse as we discovered our train had been cancelled. This gave a bit more time to return to the pub but did mean k.o would be upon us by the time we reached the stadium.

The traditional approach of keeping your head down on the short ride to Millwall wasn't adhered to by a large and rowdy group of Forest aboard the train. Nothing ever materiailsed fortunately although two home fans obviously weren't too pleased but decided to wait until past the away walkway and behind a dozen police officers before returning some stick.

As for the following 90 minutes, those who weren't there could simply cast their minds back to the previous Saturday as the performance was very similar. We passed it around nicely enough but lacked any urgency and forward threat. Has an opposition goalkeeper made a save against us in the league yet? I think not. Simply not good enough.

The only real entertainment provided by those in Red were the victorious group of kids who represented Forest for the half-time race around the pitch. Having seen this a couple of times in the past; once at Leicester I believe, this remains my favourite form of interval action. It wasn't very well organised as there was no real finish. The kids, bless their hearts, just kept running and running until it just fizzled out but there was no questioning the winners. Our only reason to cheer all afternoon.

Some clapped at the end, a few booed and most just stood waiting to leave. It was Boateng who rounded up his colleagues and pointed them in our direction. He probably shouldn't have bothered because they didn't get much response. He, in my view, was probably our best player. Hardly impressive but seemed to be the only one who knew what he was doing. Nor did he give up at 2-0 as most appeared to. Vast improvements required for Tuesday and beyond.

Our mood was hardly helped when we were informed throughout the second half that there were ninety minute delays at South Bermondsey so it was advised that all fans should use alternative stations. After a hell of a walk we arrived at Surrey Quays and travelled back into the city. There we went our separate ways with the three of us making our way back to Kings Cross and home.

Hardly time to panic but a shot on target would be a lovely start at the Keepmoat. It's never been a happy hunting ground in the past but we could really do with a win even at this stage of the season.