Nottingham Forest and Dougie Freedman have managed to drastically turn
their fortunes around in recent weeks. If you go back just two months, to that
gloomy day in the capital where Forest lost 2-1 to 10 man Brentford at Griffin
Park, it is a reminder of just how far Forest have come. Now, nearing the end
of January, there is reason for optimism as Forest sit comfortably in mid-table
and just eight points off the play-off places.
After the defeat to Brentford, which left Forest just two points above
the relegation zone, Freedman realised that he had been forced into a change of
strategy. Freedman was becoming increasingly frustrated as after the match he
stated ‘We had four or five chances but didn't take them and I'm fed up of
saying that after games’. Fans were quickly becoming impatient with Freedman as
results took a turn for the worse.
Forest's 2-1 defeat away at Brentford left them just 2 points off the relegation places.
However, Fawaz Al-Hasawi showed evidence of learning from his past
mistakes and allowed Freedman time to get Forest out of the poor run of form
they found themselves in. The start of the current run of 12 games unbeaten
began on 28th November, as Forest came out comfortable 3-1 winners
at home to Reading. Forest’s changed approach looked to be paying dividends as
Nelson Oliveira and Chris O’Grady combined to great effect. Forest followed it
up with another convincing 3-0 win against Fulham at the City Ground just a
week later.
However, it was when Forest hit the road and travelled to Wolverhampton
at the beginning of December where they really started to show their ability to
grind out results. As Forest faced the difficulty of an abnormal fixture list
due to Sky TV they managed to pick up two hard fought away draws at Wolves and
Blackburn in the space of four days and perhaps deserved more. Forest then
backed those two points up with a 2-1 victory over lowly MK Dons at the City
Ground in the last match before Christmas in what turned out to be a tough
encounter.
A flurry of draws over the Christmas period halted Forest’s rapid
progress up the league table. Leeds, Cardiff and Charlton all held Forest to a
1-1 draw as some fans became frustrated with Freedman’s tactics and how he
appeared to set the team up to ‘hang on’ to a 1-0 lead. The FA Cup gave Forest
a well-timed break from league action and they found that winning feeling once
again as they came out 1-0 winners against Queens Park Rangers following a
turgid affair. Forest returned to the City Ground just three days later and
came back from behind to secure a point in a 1-1 draw with Birmingham City.
Forest were again at home on the 16th January as they faced
Freedman’s former club Bolton Wanderers who found themselves in shocking
difficulty. They found themselves in even more trouble as Amos sent Jamie Ward
tumbling in the penalty area which led the way for a comfortable 3-0 victory. However,
it will be the most recent result which will really cause Forest fans to be
optimistic for what the remainder of the season will bring. Forest went to
league leaders Middlesbrough who had not conceded a goal in nine home games or
lost since September 15th on home turf, and managed to gain a 1-0
victory. This was a remarkable result, which will be achieved by very few in
the Championship this season.
Forest's 1-0 victory away at Middlesbrough on Saturday is seen as their best result of the season to date.
Now as they sit just eight points off the play-off places, there are
plenty of reasons for Nottingham Forest fans to be optimistic. Freedman has
already made one fantastic signing in the form of Bojan Jokic on loan for the
remainder of the season and is also expecting a striker to sign before the end
of the window. Britt Assombalonga can still also prove to be a huge boost if
and when he returns before the end of the season (hopefully before Derby). All
of the above would prove extra ammunition to a squad which is rapidly improving
and showing a strong togetherness for the first time in a while.
Come on you Reds!
