Thinking about the forthcoming fixtures, the proverbial mountain we have to climb - the incredible turnaround in form we require, Smoulds was sitting at his desk. He toyed with formations, cast his eye over a few potential younger players who may warrant a chance. He reached to the very back of the personnel files and found a small brown paper package, marked “my inspiration”, in handwriting akin to Joe Kinnear’s. He opened the package, and sampled the contents - before speaking to the Evening Post, it seems.
Because, dear friends, it appears that we are still harbouring hopes of winning the title! Smoulds has been absolutely adamant, since we fell from our lofty heights, that there was due to be a twist in the tale of this season - alas, rather than mounting a challenge for the title or just second place (which would do me!) we look more like dropping out of the playoffs (heaven forbid!). One thing I do agree with though, is that six points from our next two games are critical - Smoulds reckons the gap would be smaller after that, chances are it may be - but we must also beat Bristol City at Ashton Gate.
But of course it’s easy to say that “Oh yeah, we’ll get six points from the next two games, then it’s plain sailing!” - one of those games is against Gillingham, who I’m sure still have rather vivid memories of the day we dragged them into League One with us thanks to an Eugen Bopp thunderbolt. I’m sure that they remember the glee the by then joyless Forest fans took in that “achievement” of relegating the Kent side. I’m almost certain they’ll be more than happy to throw a spanner in the works given half a chance - it won’t be an easy game. Still, keep taking the peyote, Smoulds, if it makes you feel more confident!!
Click 
12 March, 2007 at 12:59 pm
Lol, tough as things are atm, there is still room for a good gag. Quality.
12 March, 2007 at 1:12 pm
No chance, Calderwood, you are crackers.
12 March, 2007 at 1:16 pm
I wish I was a flood with the feelings CC has…..we talk about a fall from grace..apart from the Scunthorpe game at home(0-4) we have been ok in defence, not great at times but OK, we just don’t score enough or make the chances, we almost always have a lower shots on target or shots off target ratio then the other team..Saturday was the same the Iron had twice as many shot as we did but thats away…well its not much different at Home…we just don’t craft enough chances on a regular basis…whether its strikers or midfield I’m not sure but if you have enough chances you will score…Saturday 4 on target 1 goal…25% imagine if we were gwtting 10+ on target….I think it speaks for itself….
If we do end up in the playoffs…is it in Cardif or the New Wembley?
12 March, 2007 at 1:17 pm
if we win every game in the next four seasons we will be european champions.
12 March, 2007 at 1:32 pm
The new Wembley I think!
12 March, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Hey John ….you must be on the same stuff as Smoulds ……
how about every game in the next 4 weeks. That itself would be enormous.
I was so confident that we would go on a run after the Huddersfield game but alas reality bites.
I guess on the season overall we could hardly have played worse but we still lie in 4th place. Also looking on the bright side , a little more application for the short remainder of the season could get us in the top 2 . There are not many (if any) really tough games to come . Surely Smoulds can motivate the players for 9 more games . I think his future at the city ground should hinge on our form and his tactics in this vital run home.
12 March, 2007 at 1:58 pm
if we win every game in the next four years i predict our lot will only get booed off at half time on about 63 occasions
12 March, 2007 at 3:16 pm
No decision has yet been made on whether the play off finals will be held at Wembley or in Cardiff.
The Football League originally had until February 28th to book the events at the Millennium Stadium, however due to the finish of the Wembley development, they have been allowed an extension to make a final decision until after the two test events at Wembley in the next couple of weeks.
Up until the last couple of weeks, I had paid very little interest in the play offs and where and when the finals will be played. However, from being perceived as favourites for promotion until the end of last year, we are now long shots for automatic promotion. Saturday’s performance was okay in the first half but once again pretty poor in the second and we were lucky in the end to get a point.
If we are honest, how many of us are confident of winning at Ashton Gate. We could conceivably go into that game 7 points or more behind Bristol City. If we lose there, even CC would have to publically accept that it’s the play offs at best for us.
Currently I have little confidence in our side to beat Oldham over two legs. Yeovil may be okay but we have struggled at home recently against both Blackpool and Tranmere.
CC’s optimism is now looking increasingly misplaced and occasions downright foolish. He has a week to give the supporters and the team a lift (a loan signing would be good) otherwise John’s prediction of boos may well prove to be unfortunately accurate against the Gills (and Mr Jarvis??) on Saturday.
12 March, 2007 at 3:41 pm
i’m nicking that picture…
12 March, 2007 at 3:54 pm
I admire your honesty!
What are you going to do with it?!
12 March, 2007 at 4:22 pm
Somebody get it on a big banner for the Trent End on Saturday …
On three everybody … “Colin Calderwood’s crack smokin’ army!”
12 March, 2007 at 8:26 pm
Talking of game stats - there is one stat that we always come out on top with: fouls conceded. Now, I know that Saturday’s referee would have seen foul play at the annual Nottingham Lace Making Championships, but it’s a trend I wish we would stop. It costs us suspensions all over the park, which doesn’t help cohesion and consistency (big words when you’re smaked up, like Smoulds).
On the same twisted plane as our beloved leader, I keep watching Man City’s downward spiral with interest. Obviously I don’t wish Psycho any ill will, but the Premiership is traditionally short on patience with managers at this end of the season. If Psycho gets the push, and we don’t get promoted, maybe he will replace CC and come to a two-bit 3rd division team and lead us to glory…
Or maybe I need rehab…
12 March, 2007 at 10:06 pm
Psycho’s going for U21s full-time. That’s why he’s made such a big deal about it - he knows his days are numbered.
12 March, 2007 at 10:55 pm
probably use it as my profile pic on myspace!
12 March, 2007 at 10:58 pm
Quality! Well enjoy it!
13 March, 2007 at 12:59 am
[...] Hallucinogens in abundance at the City Ground! [image]Thinking about the forthcoming fixtures, the proverbial mountain we have to climb - the incredible turnaround in […] [...]
13 March, 2007 at 9:57 pm
Lets face it, we’re joint third really, there’s only one goal difference. I’m optimistic about finishing higher than where we are now. Auto-promotion would rule.