Kenny Burns: Breckin was Forest's Mr Honest

I would just like to pay credit to Ian Breckin, who bowed out at Nottingham Forest wearing the captain's armband against Southampton. He has given four seasons to the club, been a loyal servant and has done a good job in the Red shirt.

Billy Davies has gone on record to say he would only have played a handful of games had he been offered a new contract and has given him the chance to go elsewhere and play regularly.

But it was nice to see him lead the team out one last time and get the recognition off all the fans after the final whistle of the 3-1 win yesterday.

What you see is what you get with Breckin. He is Mr Steady at the back, there are no frills with him.

He is a honest centre-half and that is what you get from him, sheer honesty in his play.

But everybody runs their course at a club and I think now is the time for Breckin to leave.

He has a good two or three seasons left in him, maybe at League One or League Two level.

But he has been a solid servant to the club and got a nice send off yesterday – well done to him.

However, I thought the game was not going to go the right way after the first 45 minutes.

It was a strange afternoon with Forest already safe and Southampton already relegated. But in the first half Forest were all over the place.

They were being pulled out of position and just did not look at it. The Saints were by far the superior side.

But a good talking to at the break and a few adjustments sorted them out and they put in a decent performance.

It was more Southampton caving in than Forest winning it at the end.

As soon as Joe Garner struck the equaliser, they simply crumbled and the Reds took full advantage to post a 3-1 win and sign off on a high.

That is three home wins and three away draws in their last six games, ending the season unbeaten in six.

That is promotion-chasing form, not that of a side battling against the drop.

Now we will see some new additions in the summer, some more experience and Davies will stamp his mark on the squad.

Some will be shipped out on loan, new faces will arrive so it will be an interesting couple of months.

But at least they can plan for another season in the Championship.

When they were promoted from League One 12 months ago, there were people shouting about an instant return to the Premiership, fighting for the play-offs.

I said then I would take just staying up, a season of consolidation. And now that has been achieved, it is time to look further up.

Next season the Reds should aim for a top half finish, even knocking on the play-off door.

But this campaign was always going to be tough.

Now it is over, there will be change.

And Breckin is the first of a few comings and goings that will be witnessed at the City Ground this summer.

I wish him well and now I look forward to seeing who comes through the door to bolster the Forest squad.