I won't make any excuses for the lateness regarding this entry. I simply have been putting it off.
When I started this blog back in August, never did I think I would be writing such depressing and negative material, week by week.
It's no secret that my enthuasism for writing this blog is seeping away, but not quite as fast as the enthusiasm and belief is seeping away for many of the 23,000 fans who saw Tuesday night's performance.
Those of you who have read my previous entries will know that I've kept the faith. ''We just needed a break. We just need some luck. THEN our fortunes will change.'' Remember all that optimism?
Well, at the risk of having humble pie firmly shoved in my mouth, I concede defeat. As I meandered down the steps and away from the ground following the final whistle, it was the first time that I couldn't see an escape for us.
Everyone is making a fight of it and for one reason or another, we simply aren't. If it wasn't for a late revival at Blackpool, we'd be sitting bottom of the Championship and what makes things worse is, we'd deserve to be there.
It wasn't a dreadful team performance, for certain periods of the game, we controlled it. But it isn't good enough and it doesn't take a fanatic fan to realise that if you're conceding goals down one end and struggling to score at the other, it's going to equal a very miserable season.
That's exactly what's happened.
For a team that is lacking confidence, and that most certainly applies to us, the longer you can stay in a game, the better. So to concede after 2 minutes just made Tuesday night an even tougher battle than it already was.
It may sound like an obvious statement but all the fans' shoulders dropped, negativity oozed round the ground and the players looked disinterested. Not brilliant when you still have 88 minutes of football to be played.
In fairness, we came back into it immedately. Ishmael Miller should have done better and I'll never know how Moussi missed.
The penalty decision was comical. I praised McCleary for tracking back and making the tackle, next thing I know, he's thrown a foot out and it's a penalty. Game over. Or so we thought?
Jay Rodriguez slips, misses and we're still in it. Although no-one admitted it, we all felt it, a change in luck. Even Lynchy punched the air and shouted motivational messages to his team mates.
Or not.
Just eight minutes later, we hand the game over to the opposition. Another cross and another header. It was the type of goals we conceded under McClaren, something that we had cleared up and have now started doing again.
I won't place blame on Lacelles. In fairness to the debutant, I thought he did a stirling job. But i've said before crosses from the right flank are a huge danger when our right back, just cannot win and sometimes looks to even refuse to challenge an aerial ball. Most times we get away with it as Morgan or Chambo expect it but Lacelles is inexperienced and Gunter did not help him out one iota.
The mention of Morgan brings me nicely on to the infamous transfer deadline day. For as long as I can remember, we have never been a 'busy' club surrounding last minute transfers. But we saw the departure of Wes for a £1m and the arrival of Wolves midfielder Adlene Guedioura.
Firstly, I was gutted to see Wes go. He was such a vital part of NFFC and has matured into a brilliant defender at Championship level. He had a few hiccups along the way, dare I mention Yeovil in the play offs and that dreadful attempt at a backpass, but he has been a servant to this club and I was disappointed to see him leave.
However, the more I researched the subject, the more my disappointment turned to frustration.
As I'm sure most of you know, Wes was offered a contract, not just money but first team football and the chance to give his all and become a potential hero should he play a part in saving us from relegation. OR he was offered a contract with more money, but the odd substitute appearance from the bench and a basic offer that implied 'When we have to get people off the wage bill due to Financial Fair Play, we'll need you then, cos you're a bit cheaper see?' Morgan apparently saw that as appealing.
I take my hat off to Clark and Cotterill. They kept the fans in the loop and risked the financial situation getting worse by potentially keeping a defender who could leave for nothing in the summer. Their faith was thrown back in their face by a supposed Nottingham lad who couldn't wait to jump ship. Well done for getting a £1m for the defender. I don't think we could have expected much more. Also, the money we earnt has apparently already been spent on clearing up the Harewood and Cunningham deal while also offering new deals to Chambo, McCleary and Ando.
Then there was the departure of Bamford. Another rant is on its way.
A young lad who has come up through the ranks, who Forest have nurtured and show huge deal of faith in and now the striker is reaping the rewards following his exploits in the FA Youth Cup.
Yet, rumour of Chelsea sniffing around him makes Bamford think he's ready for the big time. I'd be interested to know, how much of it was Bamford jnr and how much was controlled by Bamford's agent, his dad.
Do they know that the last Chelsea youth product was John Terry? Bamford is already 18. Although that may seem young, you look towards Arsenal starlets such as Theo Walcott who made his Arsenal debut at 17 and Oxlade-Chamberlain who made his debut at 18. Daniel Sturridge at Chelsea began to make his impression in a loan spell at Bolton where he had just turned 20.
Is Bamford going to be able to settle in, make his mark and break into the first team all in 18 months? I doubt it.
But he's bordering on being too old for the youth squad, but not good enough for the first team. He's a good striker but I just can't picture the MOTD highlights where the 4th Official holds up the board to signal Torres to be replaced by Bamford.
I hope I'm wrong. I hope he doesn't get lost in a squad rotation system where he fails to make the grade and goes from club to club trying to settle. I hope he is a success and that's not because of all the add on's we get from the contract!
As a Nottingham lad, I hope it proves to be a good deal. But I can't help but feel the timing and execution of it, is all wrong.
On a more positive note, there were rumours that a few clubs were interested in Chambers. However, the captain has said he had no intention of leaving and will discuss his future at the end of the season. For me, that's professionalism and he should be applauded for it.
But we did have three new arrivals. I was pleased with Guedioura, clearly lacking in match fitness but was energetic, positive and wasn't afraid to have a shot at goal. Although its frustrating to see it fly into row Z, when we see it fly into the net, we wont be complaining!
Always pleased with the arrival of a defender and certainly someone with not only just Premier League experience but East Midlands derby experience. That has to be a huge help. I hope he goes straight into the side and to boss proceedings.
As for Wootton, I must admit I know very little about him. From snippets of Man U fans, he can play right-back, or centre back and it was mentioned that he can play in the holding midfielder role. So, it seems like a good acquisition. However, a condition of the deal will be that he gets games and regular football so someone is being knocked out the side. Who? I'm not quite sure.
Camp- At fault for the goals? Probably not. Defence need to be doing more in front of Campy. Average performance. 6/10
Gunter- I feel he's let Lascelles down. Although Lynch must guide him, any issues from the right side must be conducted by Gunter. Didn't defend fantastically, and offered little threat going forward. Not a good evening. 4/10
Lascelles- Probably wasn't how he dreamt of his debut unfolding. But didn't appear to let it faze him, was strong in the challenge and dominant in the air. Bright for the future. 8/10
Lynch- Again, don't feel he did too much wrong. Won his defensive duties but can't do it all himself. Always shows passion and dedication to the cause. 7/10
Maloney- Dreadful, dreadful performance. Can't remember one tackle he won, a successful pass. Looked nervous all night. Not his position? It's not a dramatic change from right-back to left-back so shouldn't be an excuse. 2/10
McGugan- Went missing yet again. First half tried to get on the ball but after the second goal, forgot he was on the pitch. Rightly substituted. 5/10
Moussi- My Man of the Match. Energetic, fiesty with huge amounts of tenacity in the middle of the park. Still a bit clumsy but after tuesday's performance, he'd be first name on the team sheet. 9/10
McCleary- Had the left back in the palm of his hand all night. Skipped past him time after time. But decision making isn't quick enough and needs to learn when the time is right to take a player on and when the time is right just to swing the ball in. 8/10
Guedioura- As I said, worked hard and offered some energy in midfield. Couple of poor touches and bad decisions but almost certainly due to the fact he hasn't played for so long. Solid debut. 7/10
Anderson- Impressed with Ando. Looked to get on the ball and go forward. Always positive and decent delivery into the area. However, his lack of discipline in sticking to his wing meant we never had an option on the left flank and Moloney offered nothing. Also, defensively was nowhere near good enough as Burnley controlled the side of the pitch. 6/10
Miller- Tough night for him when he was technically playing up top on his own. Had the odd chance and ruffled a few feathers but nothing major. Will probably feel hard done by that he didn't get a chance to play with a striker alongside him. 7/10
Blackstock- Put himself about and won a few flicks. Seemed to be an understanding with Tudgay as well. Looked more threatening after he came on. 7/10
Tudgay- Similarly to above, Tudgay put in another workman-like shift. Not afraid to get stuck in and showed understanding with Dexter. 7/10
Reid- Probably should have come on earlier for me. It might be his fitness but he should be starting for me. Has the ability to spot that through ball and his delivery from dead ball situations was excellent as well. 7/10
I remember when we were in our last relegation battle in the Championship and Billy Davies came in and brought a few loan signings in. One of them was Dexter Blackstock who popped up with a beautiful volley against Bristol City which signalled our fight and passion to save ourselves. The loan signings (and Davies admittedly) changed the atmosphere and mentality of the place.
There may be no Davies this time but it would be fantastic if the loan signings could come in and lift everyone. It's a lot to ask, but it's our last hope now.
So on to our next game...oh wait. Derby away. Bugger.
I'll be there. My optimism won't be.
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