Aztecs27
Money List Winner
in reality, the FA Cup run might have killed our season
Aztecs27
Money List Winner
We have the weirdest fan base known to man to be fair. A large majority (online) are saying that the season is a failure if we don't get CL football - which is absolute nonsense. I think the issue is, we'd been in the top 3 for SO LONG that it does feel like a bit of a let down.
But the reality is, to go from 16th to top 6/7 and Europa League football would be an incredible turnaround in 12 months and ANYONE would have bitten your hand off for it at the start of the season, obviously.
As I think I've said, my only concern is not getting CL football then the vultures come sniffing for our best players and they have their heads turned. On the flip side of that, we'll stand to make A LOT of money in the summer if that's the case. We won't lose everyone, but I do think the club will have planned to sell one or two key assets for big profit to fund some marquee signings in the summer to strengthen the squad and depth....so there's a few exciting months to come I think - but the draw of CL for any incoming players is obviously a positive.
We're still at least 2 transfer windows away from the position someone like Villa are in - who have good depth and a really good squad.
What I don't think a lot of people outside of the Forest bubble realise, is that Marinakis isn't like a lot of owners has long said he's not in it just to make money, he's in it to win trophies - and so far, he's put his (own) money where his mouth is and has done a lot to ensure we can stay in the premier league and start strengthening the team to put us in a position to win things. Can't really ask for more than that as a fan.
Personally I think you've had a magnificent season whatever happens from now. We have felt so close to kicking on towards top 6-7 but then put in abject performances after winning big games like Liverpool. No consistency or proven goalscorer our undoing and if I am honest I really don't want European football with the size of squad and depth we have
Aztecs27
Money List Winner
Honestly, this will probably ruin any chances of top half football for us next season unless we have a VERY good transfer window and keep the majority of our core players....it's a double edged sword really. I've supported forest for over 30 years and was barely a teen when they were last in the UEFA Cup so being able to have memories of European nights at the City Ground now I'm old enough to fully appreciate it is what it's all about - but it will make for stressful watching week-in-week-out in the Premier League.
I will stick my neck out and say I think we've done enough to establish ourselves and stay in the premier league for a decent stint now. Hope I'm right
4LEX
Well-known member
It's a double edged sword for sure but the gap in quality makes it a bit easier than it was a decade or more ago. One of my biggest regrets is missing out on the UEFA Cup in 2007 by a single point. I felt Steve Coppell knew it meant trouble and played it down which resulted in some poor displays towards the end of the season. You don't often get the chance and whenever it comes, you should take it IMO.
pendodave
Tour Rookie
Come on!
What's the best thing that Fulham can hope for? Never winning anything in the foreseeable, not going down unless the championship suddenly produces 3 far better teams?
We (WHU) are a similar (worse if anything) position, and I can honestly say that our Euro campaigns, culminating in our crowning as "champions of Europe" are the most fun thing that has happened for years.
RichA
Well-known member
I suspected we might tail off a bit, but we're still in the fight. I actually have serious reservations about getting into Europe next season. It feels too soon for us; I'd rather see us consolidate as top 4 Premier League contenders and build a solid squad.
The fear there though is that if we don't get into Europe then some of our better players might be tempted to warm the bench of one of the current big 3 in the champions League next season rather than continue the journey with Forest.
pendodave
Tour Rookie
Excuse me??!!I actually have serious reservations about getting into Europe next season. It feels too soon for us; I'd rather see us consolidate as top 4 Premier League contenders
I don't know what they're putting in the River Trent, but I'd like to try some
RichA
Well-known member
Eh?Excuse me??!!
I don't know what they're putting in the River Trent, but I'd like to try some
pendodave
Tour Rookie
Maybe I'm understanding your post, but I thought that you might be a slightly over optimistic forest supporters.
Apologies if this is not the case.
RichA
Well-known member
We've spent most of the season in 3rd place. Hoping that we might become a regular top half team in contention for a top 4 finish doesn't seem wildly optimistic.
If you repeat this season next time around then you are right. Forest have to prove this isn't a one off though, that teams won't be better prepared for them next season.
Slime
Tour Winner
Typical,first UTD game you’ve missed this season & they put a performance in
Phil didn't miss it.
He'd have been sitting there, all alone, spitting feathers through his salty tears as they ran down his ruddy cheeks.
D
Deleted member 21784
Guest
Forest will have to deal with the challenges of being in Europe. A tough juggling act
nickjdavis
Head Pro
Man U and Spurs seem to have managed it (albeit half the balls are on the floor
).pendodave
Tour Rookie
Maybe it's because I'm a west ham supporter...
Or remember Leicester, Swansea etc etc...
But I think you're being wildly optimistic
Nothing against Forest, their (real) European championships were wonderful and unprecedented achievements, which I watched and cheered on as TF and JR danced across our old fashioned tellys as a youth.
But I'm not seeing it!
As Villa, Newcastle and West Ham have found out in recent years. Not helped by pfi hamstringing teams as they attempt to strengthen.
D
Deleted member 21784
Guest
Ah yes pfi keeping the big clubs big
We have suffered for sure
Our form in the league was awful which but Europe was great
RichA
Well-known member
I think you're maybe misinterpreting me. I'm optimistic that we can maybe achieve something in the future in the Premier League if we aren't in Europe next season and if our best players don't then leave.Maybe it's because I'm a west ham supporter...
Or remember Leicester, Swansea etc etc...
But I think you're being wildly optimistic
Nothing against Forest, their (real) European championships were wonderful and unprecedented achievements, which I watched and cheered on as TF and JR danced across our old fashioned tellys as a youth.
But I'm not seeing it!
If we do find ourselves in Europe and playing at least an extra 8 matches then I'm not confident we'll thrive.
Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
The issue is if you aren’t in Europe then it’s hard to keep your best players
Even if you do get Europe is still going to be hard to keep the top players if the certain clubs come sniffing - especially the CB’s and Gk
