End Of Season Report

Here it is, then. OK, hands up those who really thought our chances of making automatic promotion were dead in the water after our abysmal showing at Doncaster? Mmm, thought so. And, come to think of it, did our opinions change that much when, four days later we pulled off a superb win with a gutsy performance at Brunton Park? No, me neither.

And to think back to that cold and blustery evening on 1st of April when I dared to close my report on that game with 'Enough for us still to even make the top two, perhaps? Surely not...' - a throwaway remark if ever I made one. But whilst the media were too busy focussing on Swansea (for a while until they got bored, realising how far out of sight they were as games ran out) Doncaster and Leeds, plus of course their obsession with the Big Four in the Premiership (to which I will return later), they quite forgot about Forest, even when the winning sequence began to build momentum, resulting in us crashing almost un-noticed through the promotion gates at Mach2 on May 3rd, even if only days earlier we thought we were in for another gut-wrenching ride on the play-off rollercoaster, and then something goes right for us on the final day.

If only it were as simple as that. When the campaign got off to a decidedly stuttering start it looked like we were in for a very long ride with several matches falling into the 'Draws we should have won' category. Bournemouth, Bristol Rovers, Northampton, Brighton and Walsall (all home) plus Crewe, Leeds and Southend (all away) all resulted in frustration by the bucketload, and left us listening to the sound of more nails being hammered into the promotion coffin. In fact, re-reading some of the reports I wrote during March, it still feels amazing that, weeks later we are the ones with that smug look on our faces having reached promotion via the Wembley by-pass route - a path which at one stage we even doubted we'd be embarking on.

Yes, there were mistakes - some of which we never seem to learn from. Our generally excellent defensive record might even have been better still were it not for a couple of crossed wires, usually involving Wilson and Smudge. Failure to kill the game off featured more than a couple of times, and playing football in the sky was reported by my spies on several way trips. Worst of all there seemed a number of bizarre tactical moves, and the 4-3-3 formation just annoyed the hell out of practically everyone; it only took Commons to start drifting across the field and making a complete pig's ear of chances like he does, and suddenly we were left with about as much shape as a beached jellyfish.

But, to be fair we must not forget the positives which, despite Calderwood's insistence that they were always there, certainly pulled us out of a couple of tight spots. The most notable example has to be the New Year fixture which must have filled several players with dread, given the number of players who were getting early use of some discarded soap out of a Christmas gift pack. Kelvin Wilson was this year's fall-guy, yet the team stuck to the job in hand to turn a goal (and player) deficit into a thoroughly deserved win, courtesy of McGugan's last-minute stunner. If ever there was a defining moment of belief among the squad, this was it.

Whether that belief was to filter through to the fans each time was entirely a different matter, and given the successive years we fans have been put through the wringer, you could be forgiven for thinking that it could prove to be yet another false dawn. You only had to look at our results during March which started badly with our home defeat to Carlisle United - our first since August at the hands of Leeds (who even then showed a determination in the face of adversity - in the form of a 15-point deduction- which really ought to be a lesson to everyone).

And with the disappointing result at Gresty Road sending us further adrift from the top, our season was starting to have an air of inevitability about it, and by the time we produced that dismal showing at The Keepmoat the weekend after Easter the sighs of despair were competing with the sound of knives being sharpened. We'd been screaming for another striker ever since Junior Agogo left to participate in the African Nations, followed shortly by Grant Holt's disappearance through the back door, and the feeling of deja-vu after a similar lack of fire-power twelve months previously came as little surprise. When the response to the crisis came in the form of an injured 'keeper it really did feel as if an amalgam of David Platt and Gary Megson had arrived back at City Ground to fulfil our worst nightmares.

So then, credit where it's due. To quote Kipling's If, there can be few better examples of people (i.e. Colin and the boys) keeping their heads about them when others all around are losing theirs. In front of our smallest travelling support of the season Carlisle United end up playing the April Fools with no idea at that time at least that their promotion bandwagon is about to be derailed in spectacular fashion. It only goes to show that blowing a 7 point cushion In April is far more painful than blowing it in January just like we did last year. So, whatever our hang-ups about Calderwood during the season, and the heavy weather he appeared to make of things during the promotion trail, it is time to cut him a little slack since achieving two promotions as manager from the level at which he first started at. As a placard at the Yeovil game so poignantly put it 'He does know what he's doing' in acknowledgement of achieving the promotion we sorely needed, so we the fans ought at least to bear that in mind.

So then, what can we expect in the coming season? No words of support from BBC Sport, that's for sure. How I wish Ray Stubbs & Co would just bugger off and work for MUTV or somewhere they can drool over the so-called Big Four without antagonising the majority of football fans who represent the real world, the same people who cringe at the sight of a red shirt with AIG emblazoned all over it. ITV's Championship highlights will offer some relief as long as we get cover as featured game at least once in a while. Meanwhile, some real effort by the Forest board to interact with the desires of the fans wouldn't go amiss either. Season tickets are being gladly renewed, albeit at higher prices, but still season ticket holders wait in hope of some tangible gesture in the form of recognition of their loyalty. Go on, Messrs Doughty and Arthur - show us you have a heart!

So far, there is indication of renewed ambition with the securing of Robert Earnshaw as our first acquisition of the summer - even more important now as Agogo looks set to leave us. Whilst agreeing with my friends' comments Earnshaw probably won't have quite the same appeal as say Johnno or Jack, he is undeniably proven at Championship level, forget about his miserable stay at the Sheep Dip, or even Carrow Road, and we can only hope he can prosper with us as much as he did with Cardiff and at West Brom.

Of course the scenery in The Championship has changed a little in our three-year absence. We can look forward to trips to Southampton and Birmingham, and as we leave the likes of Boundary Park and The Bescot behind, homework will have to be done as we contemplate visits to certain bogey-grounds at the next level: We still have the worst record of any visiting team to Molineux in recent times, and I'm sure it must be at least a hundred years or so since we scored at Carrow Road (coincidentally and ominously the venue for this year's Christmas hangover fixture). Deepdale is now completely rebuilt, in contrast to the dismantled play-off reaching squad of a couple of years back, hey - we might even win there for a change! Oh, and let's see if we can really ENJOY our visit to Prideless Park next season, and ensure the BC Cup is brought back to Nottingham with us.

And so to the squad - the Good, Bad and Indifferent...

Paul Smith - Smudge's communication with his defence became cause for concern in early March, and eclipsed his distribution - the other aspect of his game which got peoples' backs up. Otherwise, the usual excellent shot-stopping, and 24 league clean sheets for the ever-present cannot be argued with. 7/10

Kelvin Wilson - Didn't take long for us to be asking ourselves why on earth Preston decided to part company with him, and has proved a worthy contender for the captain's armband throughout the season. Form took a dip in March, but otherwise an integral part of our rock-solid defence - and it's impressive record. 8/10

Matt Lockwood - Could arguably go down as the unluckiest player of the season following injury on the opening day, a setback he never really recovered from. That said, he failed to make the most of his chances and his departure from Trentside about as noticeable as his arrival. 3/10

Luke Chambers - Not as assured as last season, although seemed to make a bigger impact away from home, which I eventually saw bear fruit at Brunton Park. Whether he can cut it at Championship level remains to be seen. 6/10

Wes Morgan - Improved as the season went on, making the most of his chance to keep Brecks confined to the bench. Had less of an impact up front compared to previous seasons, but the goal scored at Prenton Park in a Man-Of-The-Match performance still underlines what an important player he is to us. 8/10

Ian Breckin - Competition from Wilson and Big Wes is arguably the best thing to happen to Brecks this season. Gone is the complacency which appeared to overshadow him last year, and although he's lacked presence in attack compared with two years ago, he's stuck to the job of maintaining Fortress City Ground. Next season will be a big test for him. 6/10

James Perch - Still remains an enigma, not least as to where his best playing position is. His poor shooting has lately been more than compensated for by some impressive tackling, which gives hope for the future, especially since I was beginning to doubt whether he'd be able to compete at Championship level. The jury's still out. 6/10

Kris Commons - Fulfilled my wish of playing more consistently throughout the season, but still had that annoying tendency to waste chances, going for glory and at times behaving like a right tart. Never lived up to expectation generated in THAT cup game in 2005. All the same, thanks for everything, Kris. Not sure whether you'll be missed that much, although why you - a self-proclaimed Forest fan - want to switch to join such a bunch of losers is a mystery. Expect the flak here next season just like you got during your first visit to The Britannia after you first arrived here. 6.5/10

Nathan Tyson - Did plenty of worrying defences doing what he does best, along with worrying plenty of us in case injury threatened to sideline him yet again. As long as he can use his pace to the best effect he'll realise his potential (hopefully still with us) next season. Proves he still has it with the brace at The Withdean, and came good late on last term, especially with that calmly executed goal at Prenton Park. 7/10

Grant Holt - With hindsight, that transfer request handed in twelve months ago ought to have been accepted there and then, whatever the circumstances. Apart from the January win over the O's did little to impress. Won't be missed. 3/10

Will Hoskins - Showed us he was up for it, but blighted by injury, so barely got a chance. 6/10

Garath McCleary - Waited patiently for his chance, then grabbed it with both hands. This guy's gonna go places, and demonstrated his intention with that superb performance (and deserved goal) at Brunton Park. 7/10

Arron Davies - Beset by injury which hampered any prospect of a decent run in the side. Showed occasional flashes of brilliance (Crewe home) but on the whole came well short of expectation. 5/10

Chris Cohen - Unlike his ex-Yeovil colleague, Chris soon made an impact and made the position his own. Covered plenty of the field in a typical game and should enjoy doing this far more with the departure of Commons. 7/10

Sammy Clingan - Once again proved to be an unsung hero with assured passing and generally being the driving force of midfield, though finally got that elusive first (and ultimately only) goal in the exhibition-like performance at home to Crewe. Likely to disappear down a black hole like so many ex-Forest players gone to Carrow Road ahead of him. Of the departures this one will be missed the most. 7.5/10

Lewis McGugan - Another season which shows he has enormous potential, but needs to keep his feet on the ground and not allow himself to get carried away with the prospect of anything big likely to come his way. Will be remembered this season for the priceless goals scored in big games: Huddersfield (h), Hartlepool (a) and of course the promotion clincher on the final day. 7.5/10

Brett Ormerod - Any misgivings about this apparent journeyman were soon pushed aside as it appeared that he'd found a side whom he could gel with. Took two games to equal his strike-rate for Preston who still appear to dither over his value to the squad. He'd be welcome back here next season for sure. 7/10

Junior Agogo - Looked to be our prize asset going into the African Nations with ten goals already in the bag. Wasn't the same player on his return so his Junior A-gone-gone from Trentside this summer will surely be no big deal. 6.5/10

Matt Thornhill - Two goals in five starts certainly put pressure on some of the more established players. The Walsall home game was possibly his finest overall performance. Shows promise, but the Championship is a big step up. 7/10

Julian Bennett - Unlike so many before him, he took being sidelined like a true professional and with sheer bulldog spirit never stopped fighting to win back his place. Frequently rated MOTM by this fan, Jules deserved every accolade going his way this season, responding to receiving the biggest prize with the much-needed opening goal on the last day. 9/10

Player Of The Season

Julian Bennett - From being cast into the wilderness to finish as fans' choice player of the season, transformations in fortunes rarely get much better than that.

Honourable mention goes to: Wes Morgan

Best New Player - Garath McCleary

Most Improved Player
This would also have to go to Julian Bennett, simply for the way he fought to claim his place back.

Find Of The Season - Kelvin Wilson

Biggest Let-down - Grant Holt, Matt Lockwood

Unlikely Hero - Brett Ormerod

Goal Of The Season - McGugan's late winner on New Year's Day

Best Performance

Carlisle Away - Ground out an excellent (if unexpected) result in very blustery conditions.
Crewe Home - Almost exhibition football played by both sides.
Tranmere Away - Got better as the game went on - two very well taken goals.
Yeovil Home - Hardly vintage, and Yeovil were there to ensure we didn't have it all our own way, but three first-half goals set the foundations for the party to follow an hour later.

Worst Performance

Bournemouth Away - Glad I missed this one is all I can say.
Brighton Home - Uninspired, passionless and unsurprisingly goal-less.
Doncaster Away - Four days after Brighton, and we looked more like relegation contenders. Glad I missed this one too - the reports I had back from my friends more than justified my decision!

Disappointment Of The Season

Failure in the transfer market brings us just an injured goalkeeper instead of much-needed strikers.
Losing to Luton in the FA Cup, denying a vintage encounter with Liverpool.

Old Habits Die Hard

Losing at Walsall (again)
Losing the Christmas Hangover fixture (Gillingham Away) - again
No reply after conceding in 70th+ minute goal (Carlisle home)
We still can't score against Oldham - though see below...
We still can't win at Huddersfield

And Those We Managed To Break

Achieving two clean sheets for our first points against Oldham in two years must represent some improvement, I suppose
Seven points from the Festive Four games is a significant improvement on previous Christmas periods

Worst Moment

The dismal showing at Doncaster which sent a large number of fans home angry and in total despair.

Bizarre Moment

Smudge's goal in the rematch against Leicester to deflect the attention away from the return of Megson to the City Ground.

Turning Point

The unexpected win at Brunton Park three days later which reignited our promotion chances and sparked a reversal of fortune for Carlisle who were then still looking comfortable in second place.

Defining Moment

This report cannot be complete without a swipe at Arsene Wenger who probably failed to notice the number of English players we fielded in the Yeovil game and, more significantly, that all three Forest goals came courtesy of Nottingham-born players!

Best Moment

Need you ask? The news filtering through that Cheltenham had beaten Doncaster as we entered stoppage time on the last day, meaning the party could at long last begin.

And on that happy note that's probably the best way to conclude this season review, especially since I can now take great delight in reliving the occasion thanks to the DVD of the final game brought out recently. Enjoy the rest of the summer and Lancashire Red coverage will return in late August.