NOTTINGHAM FOREST BLOG: Away following gives Reds a reason to be cheerful

In fact, almost every Forest fan I spoke to agreed that we were beaten by a much better side on the day. It was refreshing given some of the fickle shouts that I am used to at the home games.

Last week I put the kiss of death on the Reds by backing them to gatecrash the play offs, but it would have taken a super human effort to be fair.

Alex Neil’s Norwich side certainly earned their money, mainly for the effort they put in off the ball. They chased down and harried every forest player for the whole 90 minutes.

In all fairness, we have been doing that ever since Dougie Freedman took over. But in reality nobody can complain that our promotion charge is over, four weeks ago we were looking over our shoulders at the relegation zone.

Despite the “no show” on Saturday we have exceeded our own expectations by beating the likes of Bournemouth, Middlesbrough and cup semi finalists Reading. It bodes well for next season if the long list of injured players return.

Freedman himself will have a lot to prove if he decides to stay, he will be looking to banish the memories of his dreadful second season with Bolton.

As for the embargo; we have an embarrassment of riches so this, like I’ve said before is not an issue. (Meaning current playing staff, not money).

Back to Saturday’s game; I made the journey to Norfolk to meet up with some old friends who are die hard Norwich fans.

Such is the friendly nature of the club and its fans that I was welcomed into a “Home supporters only” bar before kick off. Being the only one in a Forest shirt was not a problem and the same was to be said after the game too.

Alex Neil’s team were not so accommodating! They shut out any supply to Antonio and you could see they’d done their homework.

Ironically it was our man of the moment that had our best chance but he was foiled by the on rushing Ruddy in the City goal.

We sat very deep and tried to contain them until half time but Johnny Howson burst through to put the canaries a goal up at the break. From that moment on, you just knew it was all over!

What followed in the second period can only be described as total domination as Forest struggled to contain City’s marauding full back Olssen.

He burst down the left flank after city once again broke us down off the ball. He provided a superb cross for Cameron Jerome, who scored a world class goal.

That’s not an over exaggerated statement, his back heeled finish was pure quality. Olssen then forced a clumsy challenge from Burke in the area and Wes Hoolahan despatched the spot kick with ease to make it 3-0.

Forest grabbed a consolation strike through Chris Burke after 75 minutes, following good work from fellow sub Paterson.

Despite being given a first start, Modou Barrow had a very poor game but to be fair, so did many others.

It finished 3-1 to city who can be very proud of their performance but despite the distance travelled and the points dropped, Forest can always be proud of their massive travelling army....win lose or draw!

by Steve Corry