In the sixth of a series of pre-season reports, HarryfromBath looks at pre-season in the Forest camp under new manager Philippe Montanier by delving into their forums. Reports on Preston, Blackburn Rovers and Wigan Athletic will be on the site tomorrow with the rest of the teams in the division covered between now and the start of the season.
"I’m just as enthusiastic at the start of a season as I was 60 years ago. It doesn’t matter that we have a poor squad and a duff manager. The new season is magic and I don’t need anyone to tell me how to enjoy myself”, "It’s early doors, but I’m quietly confident we are on the right track this season.”
"I’m beginning to get excited that we have a decent football side in the making.” Despite a very quiet transfer window which has seen little player movement either in our out of the City Ground, Reds have been impressed with the way their new boss has moulded the existing squad in pre-season.
"We have been trying buy our way out of the league for too long and it has got us nowhere. We are trying to create more of a team spirit rather than just buying in talent”, "After a few years of [owner] Fawaz spending lots of cash, I too am all for the team being managed in a more progressive way.”
"The new look Nottingham Forest is beginning to take shape”, "To get a coach of this calibre is quite a coup”, "I’m very happy with this appointment”, "The sun seems to be shining just a little brighter today”, "It is time to let Montanier build something”, "Please, please give him at least two seasons.”
"The short-term approach hasn’t work.” The 45-year-old former Stade Rennais coach "is certainly a left-field appointment”, "He likes to prepare the team game by game and sets up to defeat opponents based on their weaknesses rather than playing one system and hoping for the best.”
"Allez les Rouges!” "Absolutely no worries here.” Fans have taken to a manager who reminds them in demeanour of Arsene Wenger. "Montanier is taking a more measured approach to our squad that any of our last handful of managers. He is quiet and intelligent rather than short and insane.”
"Let’s get the style of play working before bringing players in”, "There have been lots of triangles all over the pitch with players constantly available to receive passes.” One fan mentioned midfielder Chris Cohen discussing the volume of technical and tactical work undertaken in pre-season.
"It is pretty much all passing on the floor. We have played a traditional 4-3-3 with wingers high up the pitch, lots of movement with the midfield three changing positions”, "We have played 4-3-3 in attack switching to 4-1-4-1 when defending as the wide players drop back and make us compact.”
The one major departure from the City Ground has been midfielder Robert Tesche, the 29-year-old joining Birmingham where he played on loan last season. The one notable arrival has been 24-year-old former Everton striker Apostolos Vellios who has joined from Greek side Iraklis Thessaloniki.
One other player worth keeping on the radar is 17-year-old youth defender Anel Ahmedhodzic who arrived from Malmo after the Swedish season finished. "A proper prospect”, "Mobile and good with the ball at his feet. He expects first team football this season and seems a confident young man.”
Fans are unanimous over where to strengthen the squad. "We are desperate for another winger. We cannot play Britt Assombalonga wide right”, "We need two signings, a ball-winning central midfielder and a pacey, tricky winger. We have enough players elsewhere to rotate on a game by game basis.”
"Montanier is certainly looking at his whole squad. He has been playing a tonne of youngsters in training games”, "At Notts County we played 4-3-3 with no real holding player. All three midfielders attacked and defender together. You can see Montanier has a clear idea of what he wants to do.”
Although the East Midlanders have played a series of informal friendlies which included a good win over Sporting Braga, they have played just two official pre-season games, at Port Vale (a 2-0 win) and at Notts County (a 2-1 win). The starting XI for the derby game (above) gives an idea of their shape.
The finishing XI (above) showed only three switches and many Reds believe this to be the nucleus of the side that will play their final friendly against Hull City as well as their season opener at home to newly promoted Burton Albion.
"What can we realistically expect this coming season?”, "Let’s hope this season has some substance for once”, "Play some decent football, give some chances to the kids, don’t waste money on useless ageing Premier League players and don’t get relegated”, "A mid-table finish would be
OK for me.”
"For the last few seasons we have been treading water towards the bottom, so our realistic aim should be to finish mid-table playing attractive football. Anything else is a bonus, but you never know”, "I won’t cry if we end up 12th again, but will cry if there is another round of sackings.”
The arrival of two heavyweight teams down from the Premier League seem to have dampened promotion expectations for supporters of many clubs and Forest fans are no exception. "With the team in the Championship this year, I just can’t see it being this season, hopefully next year.”
"A couple of signings to strengthen weak and injury-prone areas of the squad and I reckon we could flirt with the play-offs, though 12th to 14th will definitely be par”, "I just want us to play football and try to win a few matches. As long as we’re not down at the bottom, that will do for me now.”
The busiest Forest message board is the polite and informative Forest Forum.