THE SPECIAL - Forest Away
Nottingham Forest v Newcastle United, City Ground, 10/May/26, KO: 14:00, Premier League.
The Tricky Trees and their European adventures are over. They look safe on forty two points, and on the banks of the Trent is this the next step on the Newcastle United recovery arc. We have never lost at the City ground in the Premier League - that must be rare for an away ground, as well as being the scene of Sandro Tonali’s return from his ban twenty months ago.
The Brian Clough years were great for Forest and they were ninety minutes from another European final, until Unai Emery intervened and Villa took control. How will this impact their mood going into this game? Hard to say really, but maybe they’ll be really keen to see Elanga again tearing down the wing and delivering … yeah no probably not!
The Brighton result seems to have split online opinion even further. Some people (myself included) just wanted a win because the whole place needed it, regardless of what it meant for the manager or the players – for us we wanted a win. In addition, there was that sneaking worry that if we didn’t win, the last few games could turn poisonous and the toxicity around the club could really gather.
Some people seemed to (my opinion) want a defeat to just get rid of the manager, though the Saudi ownership, the CEO and Director of Football all appear to have no desire for this. What a damning indictment of this season in the league and the way it has turned out.
Madly, Europe isn’t out of the question. For me I’d take ninth or tenth right now, finish above that club down the road if we can, and make sure that we hit the ground running for the summer.
It would be a good chance to have a look at the Forest squad, as this was built largely by Ross Wilson, lots of players from Europe and Brazil, maybe something we can learn from or go back to. It will be interesting to see who the outgoings and incomings are. The idea that Gordon is going to Bayern or Barca blows my mind. He scores penalties for fun but Barnes has been more impactful from open play. I can’t see many fans thinking that Harvey is likely to be rocking up at the Allianz. Watching Diaz, Gnabry, Kane and Olise – where does Gordon get in?
In other complex considerations Will Osula seems to have cemented the nine shirt for himself (effectively) but with Woltemade not getting a minute against Brighton, is he starting to think of pastures new? Will Lewis Hall be happy to be going to the World Cup or will he miss out because Dan Burn is keeping him out the Newcastle side? Good to see Tino getting fit for the summer as well.
Presumably our midfield picks itself again, so the only question marks are whether Gordon comes back in, Murphy or Elanga (I think the former) and then whether Tripps gets another ninety minutes at right back now Miley is out. On Miley I am gutted for him, just shaken off the longest dead leg in history and now has broken his leg, lets hope it wasn’t the same one – could be on for a leg transplant.
The Forest faithful will want to beat us to reel us in and they’ll sing a lot about the Geordie Maradona. They should enjoy him whilst they can - he won’t be there next year. Mind, he won’t be at us either. The idea of him rocking up at either Manchester club would be like a gut punch but fair play to the lad, he has been absolutely outstanding for them and shown the ability that many thought he had the potential to do when he was playing for us. The one thing that might be good for us is if Gibbs White is absent, but Chris Wood being in good goalscoring form hardly bodes well for our back line.
Finally, the goalkeeping situation is interesting. I would love to hear from Forest fans what they think about Mat Sels, as he looked awful for us and has looked solid, if not spectacular, for them. I can’t imagine they thought he would be a long term goalkeeping option, but given how he plays, would he be an improvement on who we currently have? Pope for me has lost any confidence in his own ability. The challenge against Arsenal is something he has always had in him and yet he got away with it, same against Brighton where he seemed to be on a one man mission to find new ways to help the opposition with his feet, but made some crucial saves. Hard to decide isn’t it.
Helpfully Minteh missed that sitter at 2-1 and we ran out winners. Sky have us on the box I presume because when they scheduled it they thought it could be crucial for Forest and relegation, like us against West Ham tomorrow. A week ago I would have thought we would lose both. Now … I think we will draw down there and probably relegate West Ham next week (much as I want Spurs to go).
Whether watching on the box or the away end visiting the Trent, let’s hope we do see something different from an away performance and a welcome three points. That would really make this a mini revival.
Stephen Ord
@smord84
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Power, Corruption and Lies
An interesting piece about the latest refereeing scandal that could potentially engulf Italian football.
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I don’t suppose there’s a bigger figure in German football than the late, great Frank Beckennauer. We all probably recollect Der Kaiser as the imperious force in the West German sides that performed in the World Cups of ‘66, 70 and of course as winners in ‘74. But he was also the manager who took them to World Cup success in 1990 and the lynchpin of the great Bayern Munich sides of the 70s which he captained. That’s not to forget his role in the NASL of the 70s where he played alongside Best, Pele et al. This looks like a good record of the great man’s career and I think I’ll have a bit of it in the not too distant future.
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The Special is dedicated to the memory of our dear friend and ally Glenn Ashcroft.
Art work by Peter Willis.
Michael Martin - @tfMick1892.bsky.social
9/10th would suit me too. Prefer to avoid Conference League. I’d love a strong domestic tilt with no distractions.
While finishing above that lot would be a tiny consolation, I’d much rather have beaten them twice and finish below them. It’s absolutely nowt to crow about. But I would.
Hoping Forest are deflated after that bad loss. Close one but I think we’ll lose by the odd goal. Just hope it’s not scored by our lad.
Nice one Ordy. It's a funny old game isn't it? Was that Saint or Greavesie?
Anyway it's been a funny old season and we never know if we'll turn up or not. Bruno makes a massive difference but he can't carry them all the time.
Pope is a microcosm of the team and coach this season. Brilliant at times but lacking confidence and making bad decisions.
I think a win today would set us up for a strong finish and I seem to be in the minority for wanting Conference League.
I know it's 2 games a week but it's an opportunity to play in the young uns and the new uns (fingers crossed).
New places to visit n'aal.
Anyway we can just get this bloody season finished with 2 away wins and a smile on our faces.
Howay the Lads