Through the seasons before us..

When I first heard Smoulderwood’s comments after the Tranmere game I was a bit nonplussed, it is very easy to read into what was said, or to pick out key phrases that nark you - an example of this would be Kinnear referring to a game against Derby as “just another game” - had we gone on and won that “just another” game, I imagine that comment could have been hailed as genius, as we lost - and badly - it proved to be a significant nail in Big Fat Joe’s coffin.

Here is what Smoulds had to say after a rather lacklustre draw against Tranmere:

“Do I think we will record 10 more wins this season, which I’m pretty sure would be enough to get us promotion? The answer would be yes.”

“Have we got players good enough to take us up? Yes. There are so many positives about our situation that we’ve got to be careful that we don’t allow negatives to creep into our thinking.

“It’s insignificant that we’re no longer top. The significant thing is that we’ve shown good character to come from behind and claim a point against a good team. I think if we win at Oldham on Monday we could well find ourselves top again - but they don’t hand out prizes for being top in December or January.”

Now, which is the phrase that jumps out of that little lot - the one that could really bite him on the arse if we don’t pick up form?  It is of course “It’s insignificant that we’re no longer top.“  I’m sorry Colin, but it bloody well is - in actual terms it is significant, and more crucially it is a huge psychological blow to not see us topping that table any more - particularly when we have the knowledge we had a 7 point gap at one point.

As an aside, walking out the ground with my seat-mate when we were 7 points clear he remarked “7 points! That’s like fucking up three games whilst others keep winning - surely even Forest can’t fuck up that much!” - hmm, I kept my council at the time, alas, it seems that they can and have!

However, we must temper what Smoulds says to the press with the certain knowledge that he undoubtedly says something different in the dressing room.  It wouldn’t do for him to have a Jose Mourinho style tantrum about not being able to play when we only have Commons and Morgan as injury concerns.  A public lambasting of the players with less than 48 hours would perhaps not have been the wisest course of action - so those of you criticising Smoulders for being overly positive, think of the big picture.

It does go to show that Smoulds hasn’t quite won over Forest fans generally though, people are quite quick to jump on his back, self included on occasions.  With worries that the 3-4-3 formation he so rigidly enforces is being found out, concerns about which areas of the side  need strengthening and all manner of petty gripes, January is a critical month for Smoulders both on and off the pitch, so perhaps that he can maintain a calm exterior when we’re all pulling our hair out is a good sign he’s equipped to deal with it.