After last night’s prosaic offering (amazing what the emotion of the play-offs and a couple of flagons of ale can do to you, isn’t it?), I thought it might be worth reflecting upon a couple of things now that the dust has settled a little.
Firstly, and most importantly, we can stand proud; the team could not have given any more in the second half, and the fans were magnificent (and I was only watching on telly in a working man’s club). Swansea’s performance in the first leg was the best I have seen at the City Ground this season, and they are a truly great team (arguably the Barcelona of the Championship). To the Jacks and your magnificent fans, I salute you.
Secondly, given the occasional criticisms of Billy Davies’ tactics, well he did have a Plan B. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite have the desired effect, partly due to Swansea’s ability (including a truly magnificent goal by Stephen Dobbie), but also the width of the woodwork and the inability of the officials to spot infringements in the box.
Thirdly, even the players who are likely to be leaving gave their all. Tys’ run and composure in setting up Goldie in the fifth minute was arguably his finest contribution in a Forest shirt (along with that goal at Man City in the FA Cup), in what was almost certainly his last game for us. Little Robbie Earnshaw went one better, and was inches away from rescuing the tie for us (although he is now thinking of his future).
Next, thank you to the players and Billy for a real rollercoaster season. Finishing in sixth place was about right (I have said so many times that the league table doesn’t lie after 46 games), we were a better team than last season but paid the price for not strengthening the squad. Kudos to Billy for greeting the fans when they came back to Nottingham in the coaches – a magnificent gesture from a manager who we hope will still be here next year, even if some of the players aren’t.
Another capitulation would have been so disheartening, but it didn’t happen. Forest are a good Championship club; I am sure things will happen over the summer that we don’t like (comings and goings etc), but next year, let’s try and be the best. Come on you Reds!
Comments
As a Swans fan I can tell you that was the hardest home game we have had for many a year. I visited the City ground in Sept with a weakened Swansea side and we were well beaten by a skilfull and physically strong Forest side. I posted an entry at the time that I fancied Forest for the autos.
I have kept an eye on you and was apprehensive for our home league game the 3-2 scoreline didn’t really reflect the ease of the Swans win and I was surprised by the drop in form of Forest. I was less than happy to draw Forest because I suspected that sooner than later your form and players would be back.
And boy were my fears well founded although we were 3-1 winners it could have been 6-6 or 6-1 to either side.
Great night for both sides and unfortunate that there has to be winner, it was worthy of a final, I thought the fans, players and management of Forest did all they could do to win the game. Good luck for next season.
Thanks very much Lee, I agree that the match last night would have been an excellent final. Good luck to you and your team, I think I speak for the majority when I say ‘Come on you Swans’ at Wembley.
Thanks Lee. Swansea are a credit to Championship football. Best of luck for the final
Great article!! Got to say in the away leg the Swans support was the best I have been in away from home for years, the home game we came across a Forest team on fire second half and are the first team to really take us on at the Liberty. You have great supporters too and good luck next season…I really hope we wont be playing against you though.
Glad to see Cardiff haven’t managed to buy/loan their way into the big time. Bellamy is now for sale (but they cant afford him) and Bothroyd is off. Unless the new sugar daddies over there put their hands in their pockets it could well be that the welsh side are one of the few to be weaker next year than this.
Let’s not get too carried away with congratulating each other when the strongest side in the play offs have just gone through to the final. See you next year Swansea.
I think there’s a saying ‘It takes two to tango.’ Well boy did your Forest team tango the other night.
You made it the game it was, one of the best, most action packed,play off games I’ve ever seen. At stages in the second half you made us look like the wallflowers rather then the dancers.
Its easy as a fan of the winning team to come and post and give you all the platitudes. I guess this is just a genuine ‘Thanks’.Billy, and your team did you guys proud the other night and as been said already was a game worthy of a final.
Will cheer you guys on next season and who knows….. we might be still playing in the same league… hope not though.
As A supporter of both teams I must say it was a feast of football well done Both
Born a jack i have visited the city ground on several occasions and the vetch & liberty hundreds
also hucknell town is another haunt for me
Barry the best team in the Playoffs is the team that wins it so wembley will decide that
but bear in mind Swansea finished third so that makes them the best team going into the playoffs
good luck for next year forest and ill see you again soon
Taffman- do I really have to write IMO after i write my opinion?
As for your 3rd place logic….we thought that last year.