A familiar mood has Elliott Ward believing Nottingham Forest can still challenge for promotion this season
THE return of a familiar feeling has convinced Elliott Ward that Nottingham Forest could still earn a place in the Premier League this season.
The defender was part of the West Ham side that won promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs in 2005.
-
Elliott Ward
The Hammers looked to be out of the running before finishing the season in storming fashion, losing only once in their final ten games, to snatch sixth spot, before triumphing at Wembley.
Forest head into a testing clash at second-placed Hull City tomorrow on the back of five-straight wins.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
And defender Ward, who also won promotion to the top flight with Norwich City in 2010/11, says he can feel similar momentum building under Billy Davies.
"It feels very similar to the West Ham promotion, when we went on a late run and got into the play-offs on the final day, finishing sixth," said Ward, who has established himself as an integral figure in the heart of defence, since rejoining on loan from the Canaries.
"This feels similar in terms of momentum, in terms of keeping clean sheets and winning games.
"At West Ham, we were unbeaten for eight to ten games during the run in and it took us to where we wanted to be.
"We have to take it game by game and see what happens. We are taking nothing for granted, because things can change quickly."
Ward says Forest are merely benefiting from producing their best form consistently for the first time this season.
"The quality of the squad has always been here, it is sometimes just a case of getting the best out of players," he said.
"At the minute, people are producing their best. It is something that Billy seems to have a knack of inspiring. He has come in and made it feel bright for the lads. We just go out and play with a smile on our faces, that has been part of things in recent weeks as well."
Manager Davies must again decide whether to keep skipper Danny Collins alongside Ward in the heart of the back four or restore Greg Halford to the side, after he returned to the squad as a substitute in last weekend's 3-1 win over Wolves. But Halford is just enjoying being part of a squad on such a positive run.
"That is the most rewarding thing. We are six games unbeaten, we have won five of those and we can't really ask for much more at the minute," said Halford.
"It does give you confidence. We do not fear anyone. We were snatching at chances during our previous spell, when we struggled for results. But now it looks as though every chance we get, we will score from.
"That is what confidence does for you. It is a massive part of the game and we are full of it at the minute."
16 Comments
View all
by kel666
Friday, March 15 2013, 7:44PM
“do it the billy way and the only way is up
come lads win win win”
by kel666
Friday, March 15 2013, 7:43PM
“come lads win again then forest fans can sing this to the hull fans
http://tinyurl.com/c4225h
ha ha ha”
by derkaiser
Friday, March 15 2013, 7:18PM
“johnnylcfc:
"...deep down he would rather be any were else."
_________________________________________
So is that why you're on this site then?”
by johnnylcfc
Friday, March 15 2013, 7:05PM
“plainsman,
hes not wearing one,because deep down he would rather be any were else,,you boys really do make a rod for ones back....so funnnnnnnnny.......”
by flipflopper
Friday, March 15 2013, 6:44PM
“I don't want to imagine Billy and Natalie making blueys together. Me instead of Billy, now that's a thought.”
by Craigwigan
Friday, March 15 2013, 3:25PM
“LATE KICK OFF THIS SUDAY
ITS THE BILLY AND NATALIE SHOW
BILLY SHOWING NAT SOME VIDEO”
by TrickyinExile
Friday, March 15 2013, 1:58PM
“I'm intrigued by how we end up aprproaching tomorrow's game.
There is no doubt that for the majority of BD's away games in his first stint he set us up to be resolute and on occasion a little negative, particularly against teams higher up the table. Often successfully I must add and occasionally more expansively, but undoubtedly with the opposition and the fact that we were away very much in mind.
This time he has clearly created total confidence within the team and a willingness to really go for it. All combined with no little tactical nous in getting our relatively narrow midfield that lacks natural width to function with fluid attacking potential, whilst at the same time somehow never looking unbalanced. This is no easy managerial feat to pull off.
I'm not passing comment on which way s the right or wrong way to get the victory tomorrow, it is about trying to get 3 points from a game like this.
I'm both excited by the match and interested to see which sucessful BD formula we go with. Will it be 'difficult to beat' approach of before or the more 'swashbuckling' approach of this new chapter.
Either way I can't wait and is certainly a game to look forward to.
You Reds.”
by tm2204
Friday, March 15 2013, 1:42PM
“@Forest_mad Just installed the AdBlock Chrome extension, bloody brilliant!!!! Cheers.”
by Forest_mad
Friday, March 15 2013, 1:16PM
“Download "adblock" that will stop them.
Let's hope for a good win tomorrow. We will need to be patient but unlike at the CG Billy will play to our strengths and let them worry about us, rather than how it was at the CG when SO'D played a side to neutralise them.
And here is a prediction for Mablethorpe_mart. Should we lose he will be back on here with his other friends Snennyram, Blounty3 and Paul72 to tell us our bubble has burst.
Whatever happened to our woolly friends from down the road?”
by bolulu
Friday, March 15 2013, 12:35PM
“Is everyone here as sick as I am of the irritating verbal advert that pops up with every single page on this site?
Wish they'd knock it off.
It's not a successful campaign because I (like many others, I suspect) always switch it off before I ever see what the hell it's advertising.”