Dexter Gets Called Up

Good week for Dexter Blackstock after returning to goal scoring form he is now set to commence his International career by playing for Antigua and Barbuda.

Blackstock is eligible via his Grandfather and so will join his new international team mates in a friendly versus Trinidad and Tobago, before they enter the next phase of World Cup Qualification where they will face Guatemala, Jamaica and against his teammates Robbie Findleys nation of USA.

The game will be played at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, which is much better known (Although also infamously) as a West Indies Cricket venue, used in the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

Dexter at the Double

I am not sure there are many of us Forest fans who expected to get anything out of the game versus Birmingham on Saturday, but lo and behold if Dexter Blackstock, scorer of that vital survival goal 3 years against Bristol City weighed in with goals again that could help play a vital part of us staying in this division.

Blackstock's brace were his first goals upon his return from his long term injury lay off, since that day at Cardiff that was a wonderful victory that came with huge costs. Blackstocks strikes also illustrate that the big man might now be back to himself, rather than the few first few weeks of him getting himself back up to speed.

It wasn't even a if this was a smash and grab away win like so many before it, but deserved win, on the back of a strong performance. From everybody. All the more with Higginbotham going off injured and Lynch having to once again come in and fill the void.

Both goals additionally came from renaissance man Garath McCleary, whose form has been instrumental in our improved performances and results. His crosses from the right resulted in both goals for the Reds. G-Mac as I said has been instrumental in recent weeks, and again showed it here.

The first for Blackstock was close range finish after a low cross at the near post. The second was a wonderful piece of control from G-Macs cross, where he killed it mid air and finished well. Not a goal of the season, but nonetheless great technical ability and high standard control. In between Chris Burke scored a good left footed shot for the Blues, which when they scored I will admit I thought the worst and that they would go on and finish us off.

The fact that I thought this, and no doubt many others did speaks volumes about how far we have come in the last few weeks. We had character and determination, and that new drive saw us get the win. The new loanees have given us not only new quality but new belief and confidence. Guedioura has been immense.

Luck was even on our side too; with Faheys drive hitting the bar. This might have gone in a few weeks ago, but like how Guedioura hit the bar against Middlesbrough late on and we lost out this time it was our luck that held.

Make no mistake this is a giant win. More so because of results elsewhere not being ideal, but without us winning it would have been disastrous. Instead it also brings other clubs into the relegation mix. Instead of a couple of weeks ago it looking like it was 3 from 4, now Bristol City and Millwall are not safe yet either.

Huge win Forest. Huge.

Leicester game rearranged

Forest's forthcoming derby match against Leicester has been rearranged for Tuesday 27th March, kick off at 7:45.

The game was initially planned for Saturday 17th March but due to Leicester's involvement in the FA Cup, the game has been pushed back 10 days.

This has now set us up with a tasty away game sandwich from 13th March where the Reds will play Derby County, Leeds United, Leicester and Crystal Palace with a home clash against Brighton in the middle.

Hold onto your hats.

Amazing Forest Song

You have to love a 1979 Norwegian Disco tune about Nottingham Forest.... don't you?

The Cult of Radi

Radoslaw Majewski, is no doubt a magician at times with the ball, and a highly skilled player, but can’t get anywhere near a relegation threatened team. Why is this? There are those who constantly chant and cheer for his inclusion into the match team. They argue that the introduction of a bit flair and creativity would be perfect for the team. Yet he languishes outside the 16.


However, on the other side is the fact that he is incredibly inconsistent and extremely prone to drifting out of games and remaining anonymous for vast swathes of a match. Radi can go for a long period of you forgetting he is on the pitch. And yet he is lauded by the fans still.

During the game with Coventry, the upper tier of the Bridgford End started cheering for Radi. When it was 0-0 and it was looking bleak, they chanted for the name of a player they thought could change it. Because people remember things like the Derby goal, the West Brom goal. These two goals were undoubtedly two of the best we have seen for a while, but what else? Yeah occasional good assists, but in the last year? No.
Thing is, I get he’s talented, but I have never been convinced he can do it consistently enough. And I still feel people have been blinded by those goals and overlook the overall performances. Around me, the main Majewski fans are also the type who never understood McKenna’s role. For them football is all about the flashy and not the blood and guts.

Majewski and McGugan for instance on the same team would not work. Two players going for the Hollywood, and no steel. And McGugans form last season was only going to result in one winner.

I see him as an equivalent of Andrei Arshavin. Supremely talented but just not doing it, but why? Has he had enough of the club? A lack of motivation? People criticise Cotterill saying he isn’t implementing him rightly, often on the wing, or that he should simply use him as a creative outlet, and yes he can create a spark, BUT, and capitals intended, but, how often is it this last year or so that he has provided that?

Let’s be honest as a winger he offers no defensive cover for his full back, in the centre he has to be implemented further up and that removes potentially a presence in midfield. It leaves us with a make weight when defending, and we have to defnd as a team. Having Majewski leaves you open. It’s one less defender.

But, when he is good he is a great creative player, the problem is I don’t think he wants to be here? And I think that dates from before this season. Once McGugan was starring last season it left Radi to be sidelined often. Majewski has to be in the team, to get a run of games, but you can’t carry him for those games he is finding form.



This season in the league, Radi has played 18 games, scoring twice. With goals against Southampton and Blackpool (sealing the win) but this was all towards the first few months. He hasn't featured since New Year Eve and last played 90 minutes in the away game versus Bristol City. You can draw a parallel in form between us performing badly and not scoring with his absences. When Cotterill started he used Majewski and we got several results before the form dived. So there is evidence that with Radi we played well. But some of the worst performances featured him too.
But Cotterill wants more steel in the team and that’s the one thing Majewski doesn’t offer. Let’s be honest as the central midfielder to partner the steel of either Moussi or such like, then Guedioura is far far better than Majewski. His passing range is better. His tackling is better, his shots are better.

Majewski is reportedly now a target for Reading. I think perhaps it is time for him to move on. For his own career as Cotterill clearly think he’s too lightweight. And basically because I think he has his time under Davies He wasn’t always a first teamer, and he clearly by his possibly mistranslated comments to the Polish media this week thinks he should be. His comments there suggested he believes his future lays elsewhere and fore when a player says that he has to move on. Players can’t have minds elsewhere.

The Majewski club will call foul. But this is a player who has done very little this season. Why sing for a player that isn't going to fit in with the style of play or the team? Ok so people also want that style of play to match what he can do, but that’s wanting your cake and eating it. Majewski for much of last season for me was a passenger. Unable to influence games as he once had, and when he can’t he merely drifted on the periphery. And that is where he has stayed.

Back to Winning Ways

In a drab drab match which was instantly forgettable save for a Garath McCleary solo effort, Forest finally won a game again then raised them out of the relegation zone.

To be fair it was a match in which neither team wanted the ball for the first half, possibly nervous about doing anything with the ball. In a game with so much riding on it, the teams almost seemed nervous about what to do.

Both Coventry and Forest for the first half certainly and for large periods of the second half lived up their positions of relegation threatened teams by playing poorly. Even the recent bright spark Guedioura was largely ineffective and poor.

The tactical decision to play one up at front at home didn’t work, Tudgay was not a battering ram, and the side barely got up front much to support. The wingers supposedly able to push on.

It wasn't just Forest though. Coventry themselves looked a poor team. But how bad that we couldn’t break down a poor team? Surely that signals as much as them being poor, is our complete inability to turn this to our favour?

The second half however saw a positive move from the off. Findley and Blackstock coming on for Tudgay and Wooton. The switch to 4-4-2 and having a dual pronged strike force immediately made us look more balanced and with more impetus. We came out brighter. However the unclogging of the midfield buy releasing one upfront eased the logjam for Coventry to also have bright points, and have more space.

Indeed they could well have taken the lead, and probably should have but yet the ball ricocheting in the area and shot back in was deflected away from goal.

The goal when it came though was a diamond in the rough. McCleary picking the ball up in his own half and running at them. He just kept going, like Forrest Gump galloping through the midfield rather unencumbered. He could easily have been bought down by McSheffrey, and get booked, and in hindsight he must wish he had, as three defenders approached McCleary, a step over and a dropped shoulder, and moving the ball on his left foot evaded them all and he rifled a low shot in the corner.

McCleary was later removed, to a catcall of boos, fans apparently unable to realise he was injured. As before his removal he stopped moving as much, and had been a doubt before the game. It's been good to see McCleary blossom given a run in the team. Often our most potent weapon at the moment.

The second goal was purely beautiful craft from Reid with his wand of a left foot. A high ball through in the air evaded the defence and Findley was in, a good touch (for once) and a good finish practically sealing the points for Forest. Again pleasing for Findley who gives plenty of effort often for no reward.

There was time for a potential third. Half the Trent End though that a high floated through ball had crossed the line when the keeper caught it. I can neither confirm nor deny this.

A word for referee Mark Clattenberg who had a great game. No bookings, and none needed, pickier refs might have done so a couple of times, but he left them, as it had been a clean game, save for one lunge by a Coventry player and a Forest penalty appeal when Findley was felled in the area,

All in all three vital points. Considering the results elsewhere it was imperative we won, and the three points take us back to safety for now.

The Guedioura Show

Well first of all I will surmise the game on Saturday as saying that we saw what Adlene Guedioura is all about. What a monumental performance he put in for Forest on Saturday. At the centre of most things it was the player we have been screaming out for.

And additionally a goal!! A sweet merciful goal at home. I almost forgot what the Fratelli's sounded like. Poor bloke who has to press that button to play the song has been largely redundant for the past few months.

Garath McCleary did what he is starting to do more, score a long range quality goal. And he did it again this with a low drive into the corner from around 25 yards. And the team celebrated by pointing to the sky and dedicating the goal to Nigel Doughty.


And this had at the start given the game an odd feel. Starting with the minute’s applause for Nigel Doughty. It was strange seeing people cheering for the man that I remember some people denouncing and vilifying a few weeks ago. But that is football.

The minute’s applause was pretty largely respected. And I think largely genuine. The Watford fans also joined in, which was good to see. And it was obvious that it had also enthused the players to put in a performance. Guy Moussi coming to the Trent End before the game pointing at his black arm band and clapping showed what it meant to the players.

We looked bright throughout, and as I say Guedioura was majestic in the middle. McCleary also put in a top showing, and the new defenders all looked the part. Wooton playing at right back was a surprise, but he played well there. It was also interesting to see Elokobi to be unleashed on long throws for a new tactic. Interestingly though mainly in the first half where there was less run up space than if he was on the Main Stand side.

However, when Watford scored it was the air of resignation amongst fans. No-one was hugely shocked, no gasping intake of breath, no anger. Mere acceptance that we conceded.

The second half could have gone both ways, we did play well, and had the better chances, mostly falling to Gunter ghosting in at the back post. He hit the bar, skied a great effort and headed over the bar. This was also after a first half effort, where he looked like he scored lobbing the keeper that shifted wide before being cleared.

Findley also messed up a great chance when a perfect through ball was played by Reid, a truly wonderful pass designed for a pacey striker to latch on to. Findleys first touch though was horrendous and it ran through to the keeper to let the chance go begging.

Frustrating that we failed to win a game there for the taking, but there were a lot of positives to take. The new signings bedded in quickly. We scored. We created chances. We just need to get the extra bite in front of goal.

Two Left Backs

So after so long of having no left backs, now comes along another one in the shape,(and its a large shape) of George Elokobi from Wolves.

The man is a man mountain. Not someone to mess with and adds to our options in the traditionally thin position of left back.

Elokobi is one of those players who seems to divide fans as I have seen very differing views from Wolves fans.

Some say he is useless and some love him, as he is a somewhat cult favourite. It also seems that he really isn't Premiership quality, but might do a job for is, if not in place of Cunningham but also in terms of temporary filling in for him whilst he is injured.

It also takes our loanee's to five, and with that pretty much our quotient for the moment.

So welcome to the City Ground George.

Nigel Doughty dies aged 54

Forest 24-7 are today sad to report the sudden passing of owner Nigel Doughty at the age of 54.

Doughty, who has been owner of Forest for over 10 years, was found dead in the gym at his Lincolnshire home early this morning. His death is not being treated as suspicious.

His passing marks another low in our disastrous 2011-12 campaign.

Doughty in recent years has been a man who has divided supporters. The lack of recent success, poor form and Billy Davies' sacking, saw some fans take matters into their own hands and call for his resignation ahead of the Birmingham game in October 2011.

Doughty resigned as chairman shortly after and put the club up for sale. He did, however, pledge to fund all existing contracts until the end of the 2013/14 season.

The club now has an even more uncertain future than ever before.

But today, I'd like to thank Doughty for everything he has done for the club over the past few years. It's a shame it ended tragically.

Follow me on twitter @benando_torres

Bamford Exits Sad Message.

The recent departure of young talented striker Patrick Bamford is a sad indication of what has happened at Forest.

OK, so we have sold young players for a profit before, but they have always broken in at first team level and made progress in the team. Reid, Dawson, Jenas, Prutton, they all came through and started to make a name for themselves before we had to sell, and at the time for good prices.

But now we are losing talented youngsters who have played just a few minutes, and this illustrates how far we have slipped. We held on to Lascelles from Arsenal last season, could we do the same now?

That £1 million or so could help the whole team out and potentially save us from relegation, but it also robs us of a talent we nurtured and could have got a good year or two out of. But it’s the sad state these days that clubs at the very top can cherry pick youngsters for relatively low fees and store them in their youth teams.

No ends of other players have been poached in this way, indeed Paul Anderson in our own team was taken from Hull to Liverpool at a young age, but never made the grade. But the fee’s are so low at this stage that it makes fiscal sense, rather than buy these players for vastly higher fees later.,

Maybe Bamford will make it, maybe he won't, but £1millto Chelsea is nothing. To us these days it is so much more. We haven’t been a selling club in a long while. Now we have lost 2 players, one first team and one youth team member in quick succession.

We offered a very lucrative contract apparently, but no doubt whatever we could afford Chelsea could quadruple without even thinking about it, and who can blame a young lad wanting to get those huge wages and to work with Drogba, Lampard etc.

What it does show is we are slipping and become one of those clubs which sells its youngsters before they ever get anywhere. And that with the new Premier League rules coming in that makes it easier to poach youngsters, so this will become easier and cheaper for top clubs to do.

What I'm saying is get used to it.