Forest Promotion Push Finely Balanced

Nottingham Forest picked up four points in as many days as they further cemented their place in the Championship play-offs.

Considering that back to back wins would have taken the Reds to within three points of the summit, it goes to show just how far we’ve progressed since the departure of Fawaz Al-Hasawi.

And, as the January transfer window begins to close, I dare to use the words that became the mantra of Mark Warburton not so long ago, it really is a case of fine margins in the race for the Premier League.

It’s fair to say that Forest haven’t quite dazzled on the field of play during the 28 games played thus far, however, we are still within touching distance of the automatic promotion places and the table doesn’t lie. Are we good enough to break into the top two with the players we currently have? The answer is a unanimous NO.

Most of the supporters I’ve spoken to back up this statement, even Sabri Lamouchi was pragmatic enough to utter the same sentiments when asked after the Luton victory. With the current crop of players at our disposal, the general consensus is that a play-off finish is possible, but automatic promotion would certainly require a couple more quality additions to the side.

So, let us focus on what the current crop of players have achieved in the last week. The victory over bottom side Luton Town was a must win affair and the Reds did not disappoint. Despite going behind to Harry Cornick’s first half strike Forest, inspired by the resurgence of Joe Lolley, put the game to bed in real fashion. Lolley’s second strike of the afternoon is a contender for goal of the season and was befitting of his endeavours on the day.

The 27-year-old has found his shooting boots again at the perfect time. It does make me smile when I read knee-jerk comments regarding his deployment in the Forest side at times; when we’re losing “he’s out of position and should be on the left,” but on days like last Sunday, “told you he’s better cutting in from the right!” My personal take on the matter is this, he is comfortable on either flank and both player and his manager are singing from the same hymn sheet.

The Luton victory propelled Sabri Lamouchi’s men into a second consecutive home game against Reading on Wednesday evening. The sides had met eleven days earlier and all told, there was little between them at the Madejski stadium. The injury time goal fest certainly evoked mixed feelings for the Forest supporters; the best analogy I can provide for that minute of madness is as follows. It was like watching your mother-in-law drive off a cliff in your brand-new Aston Martin!

Surely, it couldn’t happen again…..could it? Despite the Royals lowly league position, they are no push over. With just one Championship defeat in their last nine games I was expecting a resolute and well drilled outfit at the City Ground, and that’s exactly how the away side presented themselves once more. With the incentive of a three-point gap between their team and the top spot, many Forest fans were guilty of disregarding the opposition’s potential.

Despite the déjà vu of taking a late lead through Lewis Grabban, who bagged his 16th of the season, only to be pegged back by Sam Baldock, a second successive draw against Reading was a fair result. I’d go as far to say that the away side looked the most similar side to us that I’ve witnessed this season. Solid from the back to the base of midfield with limited attacking threat.

Of course, there’s a mini crisis unfolding on social media regarding the form of Brice Samba, which in my opinion is nonsense. Some people blame him solely for Reading’s late equaliser on Wednesday, but I would implore them to watch it again and be asking how Baldock managed to evade three defenders before despatching his goal bound effort.

It matters not because the result was a fair one, had Forest scraped a win courtesy of their own break of fortune, it may well have masked the enormity of the task ahead.

The objective to return to the Premier League after 21 seasons in exile is within the Reds own destiny and could well be enhanced within the next eight days. I’ve lost count of the number of possible signings that may or may not be walking through the Peter Taylor stand car park in that period. However, I cannot envisage the manager changing his formation at such a delicate juncture in the campaign. Which obviously eludes to the procurement of a striker who’s willing to wait in the wings as opposed to partnering or replacing the excellent Lewis Grabban.

The necessity to recruit a winger is obviously massive but there’s not a great deal to choose from. It’s such a pivotal time of the season but I’m trusting the club to choose wisely in whatever they decide to do. The team are in a fantastic position and the apple cart is very finely balanced!