Burns: The contrast on the two sides of the river couldn't be more different
THE contrast could not be more different on the opposite sides of the River Trent.
On one side, you have a team that has won promotion and is on the crest of a wave.
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Kenny Burns
Optimism has never been so high, the club oozes positivity and the new signings are only fuelling the feeling that it will be an enjoyable season.
Everyone associated with Notts County is still buzzing after winning the League Two title.
Meanwhile, on the red side of the Trent, it should be the same.
After all, Nottingham Forest enjoyed their best season in years, finishing third in the Championship, just missing out on the Premier League when they lost to Blackpool in the play-offs.
But instead of expectation and excitement reaching fever pitch, it has all gone a little flat.
Instead of an overriding feeling that this season they will go one better, reach the promised land of the top flight, there seems to be some concern among supporters.
And I'm not surprised. They have looked on why Notts County make good signings for their level, like defenders Jon Harley and Liam Chilvers.
While at the City Ground, once again, nothing has happened. Well, that is not entirely true.
James Perch has been sold to Newcastle and Joe Garner allowed to leave on a six-month loan to Huddersfield. Suddenly, Forest are two players worse off.
I thought transfer windows were meant to be a time to strengthen, not weaken.
Look at January when the Reds lost Nicky Shorey but did not bolster the squad. In the end, it cost them.
Yet here we are, 12 days before the start of the new season and Reds fans are still awaiting new additions.
It is not the best way to prepare and as a result, it casts a shadow over the club at a time when it should be bursting with belief.
Even the players must be sat there thinking what on earth is happening?
You have to ask the question about what the transfer acquisitions panel is doing. Surely there should be a few players in by now?
As for a left-back, I'm just scratching my head as to why that has not been sorted. It's mind-boggling. I have always said when a world class player comes in, he does not need time to gel.
He should be able to fit into a side like Manchester United.
But we are not talking world class, we are talking Championship and a few weeks are needed to blend with the squad properly.
I understand season ticket sales are up but there will be plenty more fans out there waiting to make a decision, waiting to see who the club sign before spending their hard-earned money.
On Wednesday, the Reds take on Champions League side Lyon at the City Ground.
It's a big test and one in which I am sure manager Billy Davies will want to play his full-strength side, something akin to the one he would like to start the season with at Burnley.
However, he would like to have four or five quality players in by then and that is never going to happen.
It is disappointing more than anything as Forest should have acted quickly to build on the momentum from last season. Instead, the brakes have been put on a little bit.
I just hope this week they take them off and get a full head of steam. To do that, follow the example of Craig Short at Notts County.
Chilvers and Harley are two experienced Championship defenders who will bolster the Magpies rearguard.
As a defender himself, Short knew he had to build from the back and he has ensured that department is stocked with solid players. If you don't concede, you don't lose.
But at the same time, you need goals and Lee Hughes has scored for fun at Championship level, never mind League One.
Add the experienced Ben Burgess from Blackpool, and no wonder Notts have given their fans reason to hope the return to the third tier will be a memorable one, not a hard slog.
The contrast should not be more different. I just hope come August 7, both sides will be fielding a number of quality signings.
To ensure that, the Reds have some work to do. And quickly.
31 Comments
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by Nick, Nottm
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 8:47PM
“Mandy
You dont give it a rest do you. Ask King Billy what he thinks of pre-season obviously not a lot looking at your results so far.”
by Tone, Notts Derby border
Monday, July 26 2010, 11:26PM
“C'mon lads! We had a brill season 2009-10!
Let's not kid ourselves - Would you like to equal (or do worse than) the PRams disasterous venture into the top flight? I really enjoyed the tension and successes of last season. The fabulous wins over the likes of west Brom - on their own turf!!! the slaughter of hopeful local rivals Leicester!!! The sadness following the loss at pride park (due entirely to bad refereeing and bully-boy kick-the-kids-head-in tactics from God Jnr)
Let's get real. It's Nige's cash - which he wants to keep (and increase - who doesn't?) The hoover -NAY Dyson! (not Tyson) - of the prem could clean him out likkety split!
Until Roman decides red is better than blue then we should be happy in tier 2. Derby had 32 games without a win at the top level (thanks Billy & Paul - the cheque is in the post!) - a good laugh on this side of the Trent, but as I work in Derby I would not like to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune...”
by mandy74, southwell
Monday, July 26 2010, 8:18PM
“nick,nottm
and how often do the county fans resort to the we owe the tax payer for the trentend story or the we owe ND 60/70 /80 million one.
tony
When you buy a club for a £1....you should be debt free but
i dont believe you are ..what your owner has done is pay off the ones who were threatening to shut you down and negotiated repayment deals with the other hundreds of creditors.
Forest besides the million on the trentend are debt free no matter what you lot may think.
i seem to remember you all beliving the tripe that came out of tremblings mouth this time last year...you lot never learn”
by Tony, Arnold
Monday, July 26 2010, 7:39PM
“Mandy
Like your figures on attendance. You have sort changed Nott¿s a little. The big difference is that NCFC are debt free on 7000 average attendance where as Forest lose 6 million a season on 24000. I suggest you get some medicine. It might calm those no signing, going nowhere feeling you reds are suffering from....”
by Nick, Nottm,not the red side though
Monday, July 26 2010, 7:31PM
“I always come on here for a good chuckle and Mandy never ceases to fail. She has an opinion on everything. How many times does she keep having a dig at our attendances because she can find nothing else compare us with. Friendlies mean nothing especialy when you lose the majority of those games. Why did you chose to play Mansfield this season because you thought they would be a walk over.
You accuse us for signing free agents is this not sound business sence following the Munto fiasco. Lee Hughes was a free agent and easily earned the golden boot. Its not because teams dont want to release players to you its because the players are not interested in joining you and you insult them by offering peanuts.
I have supported Notts for over 30yrs haveing first being taken to the City Ground but chose the underdogs and have never looked back. I could never understand why your gound empties 5 minitues before the final whistle.”
by ash, nottm
Monday, July 26 2010, 5:04PM
“mike... that was an U18 side that lost to the harriers.
and we must keep harping back newcastle being thrashed by leyton orient last season... meaning that pre season match results mean very little”
by mandy74, southwell
Monday, July 26 2010, 5:03PM
“Retro Man
Oh dear ,oh dear you have just let yourself down so badly....NOTTS forest...tut tut ...no REAL forest fan calls us that ...get a life and find one for Mike while your at it..
Oh and yes ive bought a season ticket ,same as ive done for 30 something years and in no way would i rip it up ..a true fan follows their team no matter what !!!
Tony
Yes the final payment is due this year or as you say it can be deferred until next year .I have read the terms of the loan in full (they are available on the councils website ) and absolutely no where does it state we were to rebuild any part of the ground ,seeing as we are only tenants paying the taxpayer a heftty fee each year !!!
Mike ,Notts
The team that played Kidderminster was our youth team .I know your not familiar with a youth set up seeing as county scrapped theirs a few years ago as they couldnt afford to keep it going ....”
by Mike, Notts
Monday, July 26 2010, 4:25PM
“Mandy come back when you can beat Kidderminster harriers!
3-0 TO THE HARRIERS!”
by Tony, Arnold
Monday, July 26 2010, 4:18PM
“The loan is not paid off, they have a bullet payment of 1 million. To be paid this season or deferred to next season. Also as part of the agreement Forest should either started or have a contract to rebuild parts of the City ground. That¿s why Mark Arthur was trying to get the new stadium, so they did not have to spend this money. Perhaps this is why there are no signings.”
by Retro man, notts
Monday, July 26 2010, 3:57PM
“mandy I think the magpies are on the up. we arnt. The days of notts forest being a force are over. If i bought a season ticket i would burn it, in protest. sack the board!!”