A title race to write home about

As the Premier League title found it’s inevitable place in Old Trafford’s trophy cabinet for the third successive season you could be forgiven for thinking that football is becoming extremely predictable. Fans of the Premier League will point to the fact that Liverpool pushed them mighty close but it’s nothing that Chelsea hadn’t done the previous two seasons. Look elsewhere and this predictability isn’t present.

Germany’s Bundesliga enters its final round of games this coming weekend with the title seemingly still wide open, three teams in with a chance of winning it. The even better point, which may be missed by the casual observer, is that no-one has looked like winning it, or wanting to win it, all season.

Hoffenheim became the autumn champions after confounding all the critics who predicted a struggle, but could only win two games since the winter break. This could be put down to the injury of Vedad Ibisevic, whose statistics for the first half of the season read 17 appearances, 18 goals, 7 assists.

Next to be pretenders for the title were Hertha Berlin, who have only recently dropped off the pace and only last week could still have won the title had it not been for Schalke’s stubborn back line. Andriy Voronin’s goals had powered Lucian Freund’s side to the top of the Bundesliga playing a style of football associated with German teams of the past.

Now we come to the three sides contesting the title. First up the side currently in third place VfB Stuttgart, managed by ex-Liverpool defender Markus Babbel. Stuttgart have crept up from the relative unknown to challenge for the title at the last hurdle, powered on by the striker who is as inept for Germany as he is effective for VfB, Mario Gomez. At only 23 years of age he has his best days ahead of him, but don’t be surprised if a big money offer comes in from Eastlands any time soon.

Bayern are up next, and are still in with a chance after what can only be described as a disastrous season for many at the club. After the Klinsmann debacle that threatened to see them only qualify for the Europa League, Jupp Heynckes has steadied the ship so that a win at home to Stuttgart could win them the title.

Last but not least there’s Wolfsburg. Departing boss Felix Magath has built a team that are exciting going forward, creative in midfield, and usually solid at the back. Led by the goals of Grafite and Edin Dzeko you can see why they are the people’s choice to win the title. Faced with a home game against Werder Bremen they should win the league, but the unpredictability factor could play a part, and Diego may want to sign off on a high in front of Werder’s travelling army of fans, in what could be his last game for the club.

My pick is Wolsburg, but don’t be surprised if either of the other two usurp them at the last in what promises to be a pulsating afternoon of football.

One more to go, as the bar codes fall ever further

RECORDS BEING BROKEN

When Sir Alex Ferguson stepped off the hallowed turf at Old Trafford following Saturday’s eventless draw with Arsenal he moved ever closer to the mantra he has carried with him since taking over the helm at Manchester United, which was to “knock Liverpool off their perch.”

By equalling Liverpool’s record 18 league titles it has set up what would already have been a massive season in 2009/10 into what could see him sign off equalling Liverpool’s record of five European cups if all goes to plan next Wednesday in Rome in the Red Devils’ tussle with Spanish champions Barcelona.

All the elements are there to make it the most intriguing Premier League season yet. If the challenge that Liverpool will inevitably launch was not enough there could be a few surprises in store. What if Chelsea kept Hiddink? Can the money from the Middle East make rivals Manchester City a force to be reckoned with? Could Andrey Arshavin make Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal a force to be reckoned with once more?

Who knows? It’s obviously very early to speculate but this could turn into the best title race in years, and one that could define the careers of many. Watch this space…

BAR CODES STARING AT THE ABYSS

What do Damien Duff and Alan Smith have in common with the likes of George Boyd and Craig Mackail-Smith? They could all be playing Championship football next season, albeit that start of this season their expectations couldn’t have been further apart.

An opening day draw at the Theatre of Dreams gave Kevin Keegan’s Magpies reason to be optimistic. Keegan was back, they were playing good football, and expectation pointed to a comfortable finish in the league. Fast forward to this weekend and the bar codes find themselves in the mire. 18th in the Premier League. One game to go. Their fate to be decided elsewhere.

The visit to Villa Park next Saturday must produce at least a point if they are to have any chance of staying up, and even then if Hull and Sunderland win the club could be back in the second tier for the first time this century. The likelihood of them becoming the Leeds United is a very realistic possibility.

Relegation has never been a real enough proposition on Tyneside so none of the players contracts have clauses in them that allow for a drop in wages were it to happen. Geordies will be hoping that Sir Alan can produce one more piece of magic and keep them up, and ultimately afloat. The chances of that happening though look bleaker as every minute goes by.

Wolves to bottle it again?!?

With three quarters of the season up and the Premier League title seemingly wrapped up by a resurgent Manchester United side you could be forgiven for wondering where the unpredictability of English football has gone. Look no further than the Coca Cola Championship, yet again throwing up more surprises each week than the Premier League experiences by the month.

The weekend just gone saw the top two of Wolves and Reading suffer embarrassing home defeats to relegation candidates Plymouth and Nottingham Forest respectively, Birmingham also managing to succumb to Sheffield Utd at Bramall Lane. This leads one to ask who will finish in the top two?

Any of the top six sides have a solid chance of automatic promotion, with the likes of Burnley in ninth a mere nine points behind second place Birmingham. Some teams have as many as 14 games remaining so the run is likely to be the most exciting, if faltering, in many years.

Each realistic contender will be looked at one by one, seeing where their seasons may end up if the predictions run true!

Wolverhampton Wanderers (Currently 1st. Played: 35, Points: 64)

So many times the early pacesetters, Mick McCarthy’s perennial bottlers find themselves in a torrid run of form which has seen them win only once since 20 December.

Much will depend on whether Sylvan Ewe-banks (thanks Mers) -Blake can add to his tally of 20+ goals he has already amassed this term, but the Wolves boss should look at his back four. Michael Mancienne’s return to Chelsea happened around the time their dip in form began, which could eventually cost them promotion altogether.

Wolves’ run-in

Palace (A), Sheff Wed (A), Ipswich (H), Charlton (H), Forest (A), Birmingham (A), Soton (H), Derby (A), QPR (H), Barnsley (A), Doncaster (H)

Prediction: 3rd.

Birmingham City (Currently 2nd. Played: 35, Points: 61)

Alex McLeish’s side looked destined to bounce straight back to the big time after being able to hang on to key players such as Seb Larsson and James McFadden, but have struggled of late. One reason for this may be a squad overloaded with talent that simply can’t work together.

The news that talisman striker Kevin Phillips is now injured will not have pleased Big Eck, although there should be enough quality in a squad which cost millions to assemble.

On paper they have the best squad in the division, if they can’t work together though they won’t achieve anything. Premier League loan signings such as Scott Sinclair from Chelsea and Hameur Bouazza from Fulham have failed to kick start a season which could end as West Brom’s did two seasons ago, when they were defeated at Wembley by the underdogs Derby.

Birmingham’s run-in:

Bristol C (H), Soton (H), Barnsley (A), Doncaster (A), Norwich (H), Wolves (H), Charlton (A), Plymouth (H), Watford (A), Preston (H), Reading (A)

Prediction: 4th.

Reading (Currently 3rd, Played: 33, Points: 59)

Better placed than the two sides above them in the fact that they have two games in hand but the goals have dried up for a side who looked a safe Premier League side this time last season.

None of their players have scored since early January (Neill Collins scored an own goal for them in their 1-0 defeat of Wolves) and Steve Coppell will worry that they have lost their last two games at home in rather convincing fashion.

The Reading boss will take heart in the fact that they still have two games in hand and can go top if they win them though. That’s a big if though.

Reading run-in

Sheff Wed (A), Plymouth (A), Charlton (H), Ipswich (H), Doncaster (A), Palace (A), Coventry (A), Sheff Utd (H), Blackpool (A), Barnsley (H), Derby (A), Norwich (A), Birmingham (A)

Prediction: Champions.

Preston North End (Currently 4th, Played: 35, Points: 56)

Alan Irvine has his side playing a good, defensive brand of football which seems to be working very effectively at the right end of the table. It’s never going to be glamorous stuff with the likes of Jon Parkin leading the line, but they find themselves in with a realistic chance of automatic promotion.

If they are to make it though their poor away form must improve, their last journey away from Deepdale saw them thumped 3-1 by then second bottom Southampton.

Preston’s run-in:

Forest (A), Palace (A), Sheff Wed (H), Coventry (H), Charlton (A), Bristol C (A), Blackpool (H), Doncaster (A), Cardiff (H), Birmingham (A), QPR (H).

Prediction: 7th.

Sheffield United (Currently 5th, Played: 34, Points: 55)

Another side who have a game in hand and may feel this will help them out in pushing the top three sides to the very end of the season. Kevin Blackwell’s charges look a valid bet for automatic promotion due to the fact that they have a strong squad who know what it’s like to be in a promotion battle.

The loan additions of Craig Beattie and John-Joe O’Toole will help their cause and the Blades outlined their intentions with a good win against Birmingham yesterday.

United’s run-in:

Coventry (A), QPR (A), Blackpool (H), Derby (H), Cardiff (A), Ipswich (H), Derby (H), Reading (A), Forest (H), Burnley (A), Swansea (H), Palace (A).

Prediction: 5th.

Bristol City (Currently 6th, Played: 35, Points: 54)

One of the in-form sides in the Championship, managed by on of the best in the league Gary Johnson. Their inability to finish sides off at home may well be where they falter, they look a nailed on cert for the playoffs though.

City’s run-in:

Birmingham (A), Derby (A), Coventry (H), Cardiff (H), QPR (A), Preston (H), Forest (A), Ipswich (H), Swansea (A), Sheff Wed (H), Burnley (A).

Prediction: 6th.

Cardiff City (Currently 7th, Played: 32, Points: 53)

If they win their games in hand they can go level with Birmingham in second, but like Reading it’s another very big if. On their side they have one of the best midfielders in the league in Joe Ledley and possess a strike force the envy of other teams. If Michael Chopra can rediscover the form that made Sunderland splash out £5million on him two seasons ago then they may be in with a chance.

Cardiff’s run-in:

Barnsley (H), Doncaster (H), Norwich (A), Bristol C (A), Watford (H), Sheff Utd (H), Swansea (H), Derby (H), Palace (A), Burnley (H), Preston (A), Charlton (A), Ipswich (H), Sheff Wed (A).

Prediction: 2nd.

FA Cup memories

This weekend sees the return of the oldest cup competition in the world, the FA Cup. No-one could have predicted last year’s turn of events, Portsmouth the eventual winners after three of the four teams who made the semi-finals were from the second tier. One of these teams, Barnsley, picked up the scalps of Chelsea and Liverpool along the way the former at their home fortress of Oakwell. Today the blog will share its own memories of the famous competition, starting off with the first recollection of the contest back in 1996.

First memories – Liverpool 0-1 Manchester Utd 1996

The script couldn’t have been written any better had Shakespeare been given his trusty quill. As the goal went in a cheer went up downstairs and that could only mean one thing, a late goal. Eric Cantona, returning from an eight month ban, silenced his critics as only he knew how by grabbing the winner. The FA Cup added to a third Premiership crown that the Red Devils had picked up earlier in May. Liverpool shouldn’t be forgotten and in all reality won’t be. The self proclaimed “Spice Boys” turned up in a nice shade of cream much to the amusement of the viewing world.

Most vivid memory – Liverpool 0-2 Crystal Palace 2003

Not even Dougie Freedman receiving his marching orders could taint this performance, Palace overcoming Premiership opposition convincingly under the stewardship of Trevor Francis. It was one of those nights to remember. Setting off at 1500 hours, following an early reprieve from the toils of school, it was up the M6 to  the promise land of Merseyside. A freezing night, we parked up at Goodison Park where we were immediately told to move the car further away from the fence otherwise it would get scratched by the kids. Bloody scousers! So we got to the ground, found the seats, settling in for the expected; a close game but to lose by the odd goal. Wrong! After the chorus of “You’ll never get a job”, the game began. It wasn’t one to remember until Julian Gray struck to become the toast of Selhurst Park. Gray then made the second, credited as a Stephane Henchoz own goal, to seal a famous victory and send us into the next round…..

Most disappointing memory – Crystal Palace 1-2 Leeds Utd 2003

Where we faced Leeds Utd, then managed by two-time Palace manager and now pantomime villain Terry Venables. Cup fever had now hit South London meaning this was a sell out and the game didn’t disappoint….actually it did. Leeds went ahead, Gary Kelly’s quick free kick catching Palace keeper Cedric Berthelin unawares. Palace equalised though, yes you’ve guessed it, Julian Gray’s sublime finish from the edge of the 18 yard box through a crowd of bodies. Controversy was soon to follow. Danny Butterfield found acres of space on the right hand side in behind the left back and hit a cross into the middle. Andy Johnson’s shot was cleared off the line by Danny Mills, Tommy Black then looked like he had scored only to be denied by Michael Duberry, this was not the whole story though. Black’s shot was a full yard over the line, not according to the the referee and his assistant who didn’t see it cross the line. Harry Kewell then did what he did best and we were out for yet another season. This moment is remember more than another in my books and one reason why Dermot Gallagher remains no friend of mine!

Liverpool’s assault on title.

When will players ever learn not to go out clubbing where they know there will be trouble? Steven Gerrard’s overnight arrest for assault in Southport will not have shocked many as it seems a while since controversy has dogged the current league leaders. It does beg the question though as to whether managers should keep more of an eye on their charges when they are given an extended break, like one the players are currently enjoying.

After turning in yet another man of the match performance for Liverpool as they totally outclassed Newcastle in every department, the day won’t be remembered for this reason as another footballer shows how in a growing number of cases players can’t be trusted.

The game itself saw Liverpool go 3 points clear at the summit of the Premier League after scoring 5 of the 6 goals at St James’ Park. In truth it could have been in double figures had Shay Given not been in the net for the Magpies, David Edgar’s goal that made the game 1-2 before half time was never going to be anything more than a consolation.

Before last night’s festivities on Merseyside everyone could have been forgiven for thinking Liverpool were front runners for the title, if Gerrard faces any charges from this though it will be hard to look any further than the Champions elect Manchester United, who are 10 points off the top with 3 games in hand.

Inadvertently this weekend has made the title a little more exciting than it already was, even if we have the Police to thank.

PREDICTIONS/RESULTS

Sunday, 28 December 2008

Arsenal v Portsmouth. Predicted Score – 3-0, Actual Score – 1-0.

Blackburn v Man City. 1-1, 2-2.

Bolton v Wigan. 1-1, 0-1.

Everton v Sunderland. 2-3, 3-0.

Fulham v Chelsea. 0-2, 2-2.

Newcastle v Liverpool. 2-1, 1-5.

West Brom v Tottenham. 1-3, 2-0.

City hitting form at the right time as Palace falter

Maynard hopes his goals will fire City to promotion

Another one to cross off the list was one of the motivating factors in braving the freezing conditions present in Cider country to watch Palace take on the mighty Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

Although not the grandest as stadiums go in the Championship, in the shadow of the Clifton Suspension Bridge the home of the Robins has a certain charm to it. To liken it to our own Selhurst Park wouldn’t be too far from the truth, only a little less glamorous as it’s smaller and has no stand that can be directly compared to our Holmesdale end.

The away end would have been far from comfortable had we had to have sat down for the entire game as the seats have no backs to them and tended to lean forward slightly, apart from that on a warm day it would be good fun standing at a ground of the like we probably won’t be graced with for much longer.

As for the game itself it was settled by Nicky Maynard’s sublime strike early on. He swivelled on the edge of the box whilst firing the ball past a helpless Julian Speroni to send the crowd into raptures. Had it not been Speroni it could have been many more. Palace have played worse than this away from home and there are many positives that can be taken from the game such as Nathaniel Clyne who seems to improve every game.

Warnock must address the strikers problem though as today we looked extremely short up front and will need to strengthen in that area even if we want to make the playoffs. Alan Lee and Shefki Kuqi are not enough and someone like Leroy Lita could be picked up for under £1million which could give us a realistic shot at the playoffs. Let’s hope so eh!

Keane to impress

Phil Brown give his players an all too public dressing down

So what did we learn from the annual Boxing Day festivities in the various English football leagues? Arsenal yet again showed their propensity to give away a late goal, this time to Zatyiah Knight of all people. The game itself though was of great importance, as we again bared witness to one of those “can [insert team name] break into the top four?” On yesterday’s reckoning, probably not. Villa played well but without a reliable strike partner for Gabby Agbonlahor it will be very difficult.

As for the other title contenders routine victories for both Chelsea and Liverpool, but not United who laboured in beating the mighty Stoke one nil.

GAME OF THE DAY

Villa 2-2 Arsenal – Villa dominated the first period then went behind as a result of Reo-Coker’s abject defending. Diaby then scored a second for Arsenal before Barry scored from the spot, followed by that injury time winner.

MOMENT OF THE DAY

Hull manager Phil Brown giving his players a Sunday league style dressing down in front of their fans after going four goals down by half-time at Man City, before kick-off in the relegation places.

PLAYER OF THE DAY

Robbie Keane (Liverpool) – Well on his way to vindicating himself at Anfield with this performance. Ended up with a brace, the third finishing off a great move started by Pepe Reina in the Liverpool goal. If they’re going for the title they’re going to need more than Keane though, if Torres continues to get injured regularly.

MUPPET OF THE DAY

Carl Dickinson (Stoke City) – Yes he succeeded in shackling Ronaldo for large parts of the game but already on a yellow card you can’t keep diving in and what else did he expect apart from a second yellow!?!?

TEAM OF THE DAY

Man City – Would have been Stoke had they held on at the Britannia for a point, City did score five though. It seems if they’re at home, and the pairing of Stephen Ireland and Robinho are playing, they could beat anyone outside the top four.

DECISION OF THE DAY

Sunderland’s decision to appoint Ricky Sbragia as permanent boss after his initial honeymoon period has seen The Black Cats go unbeaten under his stewardship. Niall Quinn’s decision to make Sbragia’s reign permanent could be a masterstroke as he learnt his trade under Sir Alex at Old Trafford in years gone by.

PREDICTIONS

Sunday, 28 December 2008

Arsenal v Portsmouth – Pompey seem to be faltering under Adams of late and Tony’s homecoming is unlikely to go well with the return of Adebayor for the home side. SCORE – 3-0

Blackburn v Man City – Mark Hughes will find it hard against a side who are still unbeaten under new boss Sam Allardyce, you feel though that if Robinho and Ireland combine City may find it easy here. SCORE 1-1

Bolton v Wigan – Unlikely to be many goals here as both sides are likely to put on a defensive front with points at a premium. SCORE 1-1

Everton v Sunderland – Likely to be an exciting game with plenty of free-flowing attacking football. Expect goals. SCORE 2-3

Fulham v Chelsea – With Fulham unbeaten in eight Chelsea may encounter some difficulties here. Drogba’s looks to be hitting form though which should see them through. SCORE 0-2

Newcastle v Liverpool – A game which promises something every season may well be the same this year, if it’s their day Newcastle may just sneak it. SCORE 2-1

West Brom v Tottenham – With Albion still looking to play easy on the eye football every week Spurs could beat the basement side with relative ease, the hosts will look to built on their home victory last time at the Hawthorns. SCORE 1-3

West Ham v Stoke – Before West Ham’s boxing day victory this would have been a six pointer the gloss has been taken off it somewhat though. SCORE 2-1

Monday, 29 December 2008

Man Utd v Middlesbrough – United could walk all over a side who look in freefall. SCORE 4-1

Tuesday, 30 December 2008

Hull v Aston Villa – Hull could run Villa close here, however, with the extra break the away side may just sneak it at the off form Humbersiders. SCORE 1-3

Wenger makes mistakes to create goalfest at Emirates

Almunia dives despairingly after Bentley's effort finds the net

After another pulsating chapter in the Arsenal v Spurs rivalry (4-4 for anyone who didn’t see it), the home side will be bitterly disappointed and they should be. Manager Arsene Wenger ought to shoulder the majority of the blame following a series of baffling decisions contributed to his team’s decline.

On the face of it the changes he made didn’t look particularly bad ones (Eboue for Walcott, Diaby for Van Persie, and Song for Nasri). This though is the root of the problem as at 4-2 Wenger had the notion that the game was wrapped up when it quite clearly wasn’t being a derby game. Leaving on Walcott against the susceptible Matheiu Assou-Ekotto at left back, who looked exposed all game, would have caused their rivals to sit back. The case being the same if he had left Van Persie on as well who had played a part in all four of Arsenal’s goals and was man-of-the-match by a long way (the only reason I haven’t included the Nasri substitution is due to it taking place in the last two minutes).

Sitting back they first conceded a fine effort to Jermaine Jenas who was given the space to shoot, then to Aaron Lennon who tapped in after Luka Modric was also given space to shoot by an Arsenal defence which was now at panic stations.

This takes nothing away from the game though which was again a great advert for a league that is usually completely predictable at the top (including Arsenal), the teams making up the remainder of the league having to entertain the masses.

You can just imagine Redknapp Jnr. Jumping up and down in the studio as Lennon slotted home from close range as his old man cut his teeth at the highest level.

The only way is up.

Can Alan Lee kickstart our season? (Needs to be fit first!)

So it is here we find ourselves again. Five points from seven games, fourth from bottom, only one win to our credit. The disappointing start to the season that everyone dreaded has come to fruition, last season’s messiah Mr Warnock now being questioned for his transfer market dealings and lot more else besides. Where has it all gone wrong for us then?

Still no proven goal scorer to take over from Sir Clinton of Tooting and the Doug, both of whom are now enjoying good seasons so far for Coventry and Southend respectively. Warnock’s first answer to this problem seemed to be stick woth the injury prone James Scowcroft. This didn’t really work as he’s very injury prone, meaning relying upon him is a risky business. The Sheffield mans next act was to bring in two unproven players – Calvin Andrew of Luton and Simon Thomas of Borehamwood – who have amassed a measly one goal between them. When this didn’t work our manager finally made a real foray into the transfer market signing Ipswich target-man Alan Lee for under £1million. So far this too hasn’t worked. Lee has made two appearances, one off the bench, scoring no goals without really impressing any of the Selhurst Park faithful.

Where next then for Mr Warnock? My advice, which I’m sure he has no choice in doing, is to sit tight and wait for the injuries to pass. Look at last season. We were in this position when Taylor was given the boot by SJ before making a late run at the playoffs. We still have Ben Watson, the best player from last season bar Julian Speroni between the sticks, meaning if results go our way and we put a run together anything can happen.

I fear it will be a long time though, meaning this Saturday’s televised game at Ipswich could be an embarrassing affair.

Back to the big time for Forest?

Can Colin Calderwood take Forest back to where they believe they belong?

After discovering a colleague at work is an ardent Forest fan I have decided to analyse whether or not they can become this season’s Bristol City, reaching the playoffs, or maybe go one better and reach the Premier League itself.

The team for the current season is expected to line-up as follows:

GK: Paul Smith

LB: Julian Bennett

DF: Kelvin Wilson

DF: Wes Morgan

RB: Luke Chambers

RW: Lewis McGugan

MF: Guy Moussi

MF: Chris Cohen

LW: Paul Anderson

FW: Andrew Cole

FW: Robert Earnshaw

Positives

Having a strike partnership involving Andrew Cole and Robert Earnshaw would be a plus to any team, particularly a side just promoted from League One. Earnshaw is no stranger to life in the Championship. Only two seasons ago he hit 20 goals in an injury-scuppered season with Norwich City, however, he did only manage one goal last season at Midlands rivals Derby County. At Burnley last term Cole notched six goals in 13 games, giving Forest fans optimism at the new strikers they now possess.

Which Earnshaw will we see this season?

To have been in the mix each season you’ve been in management is not something everyone can state – it is if your name’s Colin Calderwood though. In his five years of club management he has accomplished two promotions (Northampton Town in 2006 and Forest in 2008 ) and taken his team to the playoffs twice. Splitting opinion at Forest he has finally taken them closer to where their fans think they belong. Guiding the club back to the Premier League will be a much sterner task for the dour Scot but he will optimistic going into the upcoming season.

Negatives

The midfield is expected to rely heavily on 19-year-old Lewis McGugan

The lack of experienced midfielders may be where Forest drop points this season. Currently the midfield is likely to be made up of Moussi, McGugan, Cohen and Anderson. Great things are expected of McGugan, Anderson’s on loan from Liverpool, Cohen is ex-West Ham, and Moussi was recruited from France after impressing Calderwood, apart from these four though there isn’t much depth. In recent weeks they’ve been linked with want-away Crystal Palace midfielder Ben Watson, this now looking less likely though due to the injury to Nathan Tyson, thought to be part of the deal.

The high expectations of the fans may also be a problem they encounter. Reading a ‘Fan’s View’ in this month’s Four Four Two I was surprised to see the fan involved tipping them for promotion. Fair enough having Earnshaw and Cole up-front but problems are very likely to arise in this partnership. What if Earnshaw gets disillusioned and decides he wants to leave? Can Cole still be a 10-15 goal a season man? These are questions the fans should be asking themselves before making such a bold statement.

Verdict

Forest are a solid side and with a good run of form they could indeed find their way into the playoffs. More realistically though a season of consolidation is more probable, hopefully with one of the younger strikers (Joe Garner or Nathan Tyson) taking the mantle from Andrew Cole ready to drive for promotion the following season.