You know, I nearly forgot to write the article this week. Why…..? Well with just under a week to go before the championship season begins I suppose I'm still trying to get into the swing of things. On Saturday the Football league season will begin properly and forgetting all those 5-1 and 6-2 friendly score lines, the real action can indeed begin.

So what cruel hand has fate dealt people on opening day? The two losing Semi-finalist's in the Championship play-off's last season will do battle on opening day, having lost players of a high standard this will be a good test of their new season's characteristics and credentials. Who will be quicker out of the blocks, Crystal Palace or Watford?

After falling short, to many people's delight may I add, in last years League one play-off final it's a tricky away day for Leeds United. They visit recently relegated Scunthorpe, who last time in this division ran away with the title, albeit they had Billy Sharp back then. In contrast Leicester must adapt quickly to life outside the Championship and will face a baptism of League One fire when they meet the resurging MK Dons.

A new stadium, a new name and several new chairmen later the old Wimbledon is no more. League two Champions and a Johnstone Paint Trophy win last season has given real hope to the former Crazy Gang spectator's, and despite losing Paul Ince to Blackburn much will be expected of new gaffer Roberto Di Matteo, despite no actual managerial experience.

Not Since 1996 has any one outside the big 4 taken part in a Community Shield final, Charity shield as it was known when Newcastle took on Manchester United, but this season sees FA Cup Winners Pompy break that 12 year old cycle. With little and large (Crouch&Defoe) spearheading 'Arry's attack this season Sir Alex can't just expect to walk out of Wembley with his hands on the Shield without some sort of scrap. Although Portsmouth will have their work cut out to prevent United sealing a 17th win in the showpiece seasonal curtain raiser.

Coincidently that's where I am this weekend. I've spent the last three season's watching tat in the old division 3 and now my team is propelled back into the Championship I'm forced to miss the opening game of the calendar season. When the Fixtures were announced it all seemed to good to be true. Forest at home to Reading on the Saturday and a train ride down to London on the Sunday morning for the Community Shield . Life doesn't get much better. But, there's always someone in a suit hiding round the corner trying to wreck my day.

Sky decide that Forest's return to the Championship, coinciding with Readings bump back down a division will be a good opener for their Football League Sunday coverage, the fact they have lost the coverage of the Community Shield to Setanta Sport doesn't help matters either. So I will be sat on the TV gantry at Wembley hugging my little TV monitor, screaming out "uuuuuuuuuuuuuu reds", whilst trying to describe the build up to the Portsmouth V Manchester united Community Shield final. Spare a thought won't you?

Talking of Forest

I was impressed during our defeat, how many times in my life will I say that? against Sunderland last week. Obviously not with the result but the way we worked. I felt the energy levels and conduct of the starting 11, and the 25 substitutions that were made, showed real progress. Lewis McGugan once again stood out in a game where I actually saw just how good one El Hadji Diuof could actually be for Roy Keane.

Mr Keane himself got a rather good reception from the Forest faithful, and quite rightly so. The bearded Irishman took a moment to acknowledge the City Ground fans with a wave and expression that brought back fond memories from my teens. Keane, along with the likes of Pearce, Walker, Collymore and Stone was one of my heroes growing up and one day, and I mean no disrespect to CC when I say this, I would love to see him sat in the managers dug-out and perhaps emulating the late Mr Brian 'GOD' Clough.

The last ten or so minute's of the Notts County game allowed the Magpie's to dream for a little while but a much under strength side showed the striped half of Nottingham that they still have a long way to go before they're on a level playing field with the boys from the City Ground. The two goals from Rob Earnshaw will be a weight off everyone's mind as well, the longer he went without the more pressure it would put on a man who's just starting to recover from a nightmare season with the Sheep!

Roll on Sunday, and may we all be singing the praises of the mighty Red army, but heed this warning. The season is a long and drawn out affair and defeat on the opening day means little short of bugger all. So if indeed things aren't rosy after 90 minuets don't turn your positivity into a shout and a ball at the players or indeed the manager. Just remind yourself that we drew 0-0 with Bournemouth on the opening day of last season, and look how well that turned out!!

Hold onto your hats boys and girls, this season could be a bumpy one

Alan March,
Commentator for Visually impaired spectator's at Nottingham Forest and Wembley Stadium.