Garry Birtles: Nottingham Forest should not fear anybody
YOU can analyse the fixtures, you can scrutinise the form book and you can talk about required points targets until the sun goes down.
But the most important factor – perhaps the only truly vital one - at Nottingham Forest is that, when they run out onto the green stuff, they continue to fear nobody.
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Garry Birtles
People will say that Billy Davies' side face their toughest challenges yet in their next two games, when they face promotion rivals Hull City and Brighton.
But it doesn't matter one bit. Forest should not concern themselves with that.
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What they need to focus on is exactly what has taken them to five consecutive wins – and that is the simple belief that, if they can play to the best of their ability, they have the quality to beat anyone in the division.
If they perform at anything close to 100 per cent of what they are capable of against the Tigers on Saturday, they will notch up a sixth straight win.
Then, when Brighton visit the City Ground after the international break, they must do exactly the same thing.
They deserve huge credit for edging close to the club record number of consecutive wins. If they do beat Hull and Brighton, they will equal a record that has stood since 1922.
And that momentum can carry them to where they want to be this season. But it would also not be lost if they drew a game or, even if they did slip up.
What the manager has instilled in them is a fresh level of self-belief; an attitude that says 'we are Nottingham Forest and you can worry about us'.
If they do get beaten, they must not lose that spirit, they must not think that the world has ended, if they do not break that record.
Quite honestly, with the way they are going, they can do it. They can continue their winning streak whoever they come up against.
But what matters is not breaking records or earning a place in the history books, but securing a place in the top six.
And they should set their sights even higher than that. They should be aiming for second place in the table; for automatic promotion.
Yes, it is unlikely. It is a huge ask for them to close the gap and steal into the top two. But it is not impossible. With the way other sides are slipping up, there is room for a team with momentum to sneak up on the rails.
But, for me, it is the attitude that is most important.
If you believe that you have a chance of securing automatic promotion, if you strive for that with everything you have – then you have a better chance of finishing in the top six.
Yes, Forest would be happy if they finish in sixth place, on goal difference, by claiming the right result against Leicester on the final day.
But there is something to be said about how you go into the play-offs, as well as merely getting there in the first place.
Look at Blackpool when they were promoted. They had to go on an incredible charge to snatch that final place – and their momentum carried them all the way into the Premier League.
Swansea went into the play-offs on the back of three straight wins when they beat Forest in the semi-final, before surging past Reading at Wembley.
In the dressing room, Forest's players will feel they are invincible at the minute. I am not talking about them being cocky or having misplaced confidence. Billy will have them organised and prepared as well.
But they have that belief that, if they play to their best, they will beat anyone. To me, it does not really matter who they play between now and the end of the campaign. Nor does it matter if they don't win every single game.
What matters is that they maintain that momentum and that belief. That is what has reignited their season under Davies; that is what has edged them back into the promotion reckoning.
And, if they are to succeed, that will be a big part of making it happen.
46 Comments
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by flipflopper
Friday, March 15 2013, 6:51PM
“desnffc, you want Nigel on the gates? No way, our gatemen are supporters. I can't think of any other job he would be capable of, he's just not good enough for Forest.”
by desnffc
Friday, March 15 2013, 3:24PM
“I dont feel sorry for him at all or his backroom staff I really do just think of them as forest greats turned Judas, the likes of metgod, Crosby,Wassell, Nigel himself should all be breaking their backs to get back here running our academy and bringing our youngsters through but they chose to go to dxxxy there's a saying bed and lay in it. All that said he's done a fantastic job at dxxxy hes worked wonders with no money, don't get me wrong I'd love him to come back to forest one day just not yet
Yooooooooooooooooooou reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeds”
by Redblood
Friday, March 15 2013, 2:56PM
“I too hate derby but really wish Nigel the best hope if he goes he gets a decent job derby have messed him up big time, his dad was the greatest plus Nigel was a very good player for us legend, hull game I don't think we will loose win on score draw my prediction”
by TrentEndRed
Friday, March 15 2013, 1:49PM
“Ancient, I'm afraid I lost the loving feeling for Nigel a while ago. He did a job for us, his dad did a better job for us, but he's 100% Derby and has said things like dismissing his success at Forest which was unnecessary.
But Nigel aside, Derby is not a one man club, like Billy Davies isn't Forest. Therefore looking at their supposed future (academy) which 4/5 years into development is bottom of the league doesn't bode well. Yes it may be young as some players have progressed to the first team (have they?) but I fail to see what is special about Will Hughes if he's their best. Compare that to what Paul Hart brought through. Michael Dawson back in the England squad, Reid still class, Jenas still in prem, big wes doing well
Granted 4/5 years isn't really that long when talking youth. But everyone is "concentrating on academies" and Derby aren't doing it very well.”
by AncientRed
Friday, March 15 2013, 11:37AM
“Trent End Red: Have you read this then?
http://tinyurl.com/bcqv8ql
Feel sorry for Nigel, still a Forest legend.”
by desnffc
Friday, March 15 2013, 11:28AM
“@ tigerjack
So you've seen better teams than forest come to the kc and been dismantled what like sheff wed!!.... Not being funny m8 but you were battered that night and by a poor Wednesday side who played you off the park, good old Stevie boy then resulted to hoofball tactics, plus we owe your lot big time hope you're ready for the red n white invasion
Yooooooooooooooooooou reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeds”
by derkaiser
Friday, March 15 2013, 8:43AM
“tiggerjack:
Sorry, I just found you post speaking to me personally.
I don't really believe that you don't see the handball when the second goal was put over the line. That, my friend is cheating. Cheating, face it. So although the scoreline read 1-2 in your favour I still do not see a victory for your side. How can you have beaten Forest 'fair and square' when your player cheated to get that second goal. Please somebody explain the word 'cheat' to me??? Or the rules of this game regarding hand ball??? Maybe I missed something or I'm on the wrong dope...
Back to tomorrow's game. There is a completely different set-up around Forest, tighter, more fluent and - yes - better football is being played. You will not resist us. No chance. Hull City will lose this game. I won't predict a score (I'm never right!), but you will lose. No problem.
Get worried, my friend. We're coming.
Thanks for the reply yesterday, by the way.”
by buddybonny
Friday, March 15 2013, 7:51AM
“TIGERJACK.
Im afraid if thats the BEST football you have witnessed in 30 years, then that feels me with even more confidence..
However, good luck for Saturday, though, not too much...!”
by TrentEndRed
Friday, March 15 2013, 12:38AM
“I like this http://tinyurl.com/bo3zemb
Wherever you look derby are awful lol. So after 4+ years of concentrating on homegrown talent, they are poor even at youth level. Can't see Nigel lasting much longer.”
by jillycarol
Thursday, March 14 2013, 9:32PM
“Fair response Tigger...I think that club you mentioned was the one I was in last time I went to Hull and had a good chat with some Hull blokes and ended up taking photos of one another shaking hands etc. May the best team win!.....Keep The Faith!”