From fans to journalists, experts to idiots, I have read a lot of negative comments over the last few days and nights following Forest failing at the last hurdle to reach their playoff goal and perhaps rightly so due to the manner in which they failed.

But let’s not forget the season they had and the positives along the way that might be forgotten midst the short term hurt, but should be remembered as we build ourselves up towards preparing for another long and tough campaign in the good old English Championship again.

I wanted to forget Stoke, Barnsley, Charlton, Wigan and those horrible home hammerings by Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall, to instead concentrate on the golden moments, like twice beating Derby, singing ‘what is love’ and that Tyler Walker goal v Leeds.

So here, today, on a positive twist, I look at a few things that will bring back ‘fonder memories’ for those still struggling to get over those dejected final weeks of what has been one of the most turbulent, exciting, and disappointing seasons in the clubs rich long history.

Starting with… Sabri Lamouchi.

‘Sabri who’ many of you said as the Frenchman walked through the doors at Impact Arena, Alfreton to take charge of Forest’s first friendly of last summer. But slowly Sabri earned the love from his supporters before ending the season splitting opinion down the middle. To stay or to go? That is now the question.

Many think Sabri has shown enough in his first year in English football to warrant a second chance. He should be given more time, to learn from mistakes made and to understand better the league he is in, which many regard is the toughest in the world.

Style has been often questioned but we all know Sabri is learning as he tinkers. Should he be backed in the window to bring in those that suit his system then we should be looking at a better implementation of his way. Whilst defend and counter attack may not be all what the free flowing football loving Forest fans want, it does get results and if Forest could see the games through without conceding late goals we could be looking at a very different season next time around indeed.

I think Sabri sets his stall out similar to that of a Mourinho team and I don’t see it as an issue if it gets results. Forest’s problem has been a number of late goals conceded that have been down to defenders switching off at the time most critical to be tuned in. Is that a Sabri problem or is it a player problem? With the right players to see games through these disappointments will hopefully disappear.

The positives with Sabri is that he can technically set up his side to take points off better teams, maybe a system more suited for playing Premier League football than in the Championship should Forest one day eventually go up? Whether he gets the time and whether fans and those above him have the patience for it is another matter but I believe with results come trust so by get back to winning way’s we’ll all believe once again.

Recruitment

Another positive was the early season recruitment from Forest. Bruno Ribeiro, Tiago Silva, Samba Sow and Martin O’Neill’s parting gift Sammy Ameobi.

Ok some haven’t paid off, Albert Adomah shown early promise before being loaned out, Carl Jenkinson might be one used more next season should Matty Cash be sold, Chema came and went. On loan Alfa Semedo has flattered to deceive whilst John Bostock hasn’t really had enough game time to be judged. Muric and Mir certainly didn’t look Premier League quality in what were terrible personal spells, the biggest disappointment however came in January as neither Nuno da Costa, Gaetan Bong or Adama Diakhaby set the world alight.

But in all the core of those signed added genuine quality to the squad, the test now is keeping and adding to them as the Reds could well lose players like Cash, like Lolley, like Watson, during the summer.

Shining Lights

Matty Cash stands out as a performer who went above and beyond last season, moved to right back he instantly became a defensive hit in making that very position his own with an outstanding display and goal in the opening day defeat against West Brom.

Cash was brilliant, often rewarded for his troubles with team of the week status he was linked with Everton, West Ham, even AC Milan amongst others as his value seemed to rise every time he set foot on the pitch.

Another star for me was Ben Watson, a player I would have thought had seen better days, utilised brilliantly by Sabri in cushioning the back four with intelligence and grit. The only concern on Watson are rumours that he’s hoping to move back south for family reasons, which could open the door for Jack Colback who was equally as effective the season previous whilst on loan from Newcastle.

Another player who was superb and has to be mentioned, Lewis Grabban became the first player since David Johnson in 2003 to score 20 league goals in a season for Forest. It wasn’t just about goals for Graaban though who worked tirelessly alone, often isolated up front putting a huge shift in over 45 gruelling matches.

In some ways Grabban epitomised Forest’s way under Sabri, not always pretty but often determined and effective, a real team player and proof that hard work pays off no matter what age or stage in your career you are at. A great example for younger strikers to watch.

Performance

The best of the lot was arguably at home against Leeds (with ironically very little possession) in what was a Lamouchi masterclass of defend and counter-attack. Tyler Walker’s injury time goal had the city of Nottingham rocking before Charlton came after the lord mayor’s show to ruin it all, but what a performance and proof that the Reds could at least beat the best team in the league.

Other fantastic results included Fulham away and that Grabban goal, a smash and grab at Swansea, a double over Brentford including that terrific win at Griffin Park. Derby beaten in league and cup, it should have been three out of three.

Forest did have some magnificent performances along the way, the disappointing end to the season was down to having a number of dreadful ones too, if the Reds can increase consistency and turn draws to wins, to stop those last gasp goals against, then the Reds will finish higher, stronger, and better for it going forward!

Finally… The Fans

There was a time that Forest players might have said that cancerous support at the City Ground, negative echoes towards the team following years of under-achievement, had perhaps led to hindrance when creating atmosphere at the City Ground.

The 2019/20 season however, can not be so far from that false truth. The Reds support prior to football being played behind closed doors was magnificent. Home and away, following their team through thick and thin with flags and noise, passion and belief.

You think had football came back post lockdown with the fans it could have all been a very different story indeed with those in numbers often appearing as the twelfth man whilst pushing Forest over the line. Such a shame the Red Dogs didn’t get to see their team play towards the back end of the season but in a way… It is the fans that deserve to see the team play at Wembley, it is the fans that deserve to go to games in the Premier League with their red and white scarfs, It is the fans that deserve to celebrate with their idols together after ninety minutes of hard fought victory… If Forest went up without their fans it would have been a travesty after being so long… So let’s instead wait until when they fans can come back, to do it together, so we can celebrate it all together… Because it will happen! Believe me when I say it will.

*Article provided by Daniel Peacock (Editor).

*Main image @NFFC let’s not forget there were plenty of good moments in the 2019/20 campaign.