Nottingham Forest blog: I find it shocking that Forest fans don't care for FA Cup

I ran identical polls on both Twitter and Facebook asking the following question – Which would you prefer – Winning the FA Cup or getting promoted to the Premier League?

The results that came in were conclusive; those voting for promotion 73 per cent which obviously left just 27 per cent in favour of a cup win.

So when Forest took to the field against Watford on Saturday I was surprised at the attendance, which was a healthy 24,000 plus.

Both sides had made wholesale changes which indicated that neither would be mortified at the prospect of defeat. Disappointing then that Dougie Freedman chose to play Dexter Blackstock as a lone striker, you just knew that goals would be scarce.

Watford started with Odion Ighalo on the bench but provided an attacking prowess with Troy Deeney up front. It was an interesting tie and an extremely well balanced one also; there were very few clear cut chances in a game that could have gone either way.

Chris Cohen looked like he’d never been away whilst David Vaughan once again proved that he is the club’s top midfielder.

The best chance of the game fell to Jamie Ward who seized on a defensive error at the end of the first half; he somehow managed to miss the target completely when clean through on goal.

Dorus De Vries denied Nordin Armabat with an unbelievable stop in the second period but the home side should have scored through Blackstock, he failed to convert from close range following a beautiful cross by Chris Cohen.

Despite not being the skipper on the day, Cohen is a shining example of a captain. He’s been to hell and back (Twice) and he continues to lead by example. Unfortunately his and Forest’s dreams of lifting the famous old trophy were dashed in the last minute of the game.

Ighalo pounced on a mistake by Wilson and scored with ease, Kelvin Wilson had applied himself well in the game but as we all know, one mistake is all it needs.

Personally I’d take a cup win over promotion every day of the week, especially the FA Cup.

From the Non League mud baths to the top flight bowling greens there’s a chance of making history. Not just history but a legacy, Wigan were relegated from the Premier League in the same season that they lifted the FA Cup; their only FA Cup! In fifty years time their supporters will remember only the cup win, the relegation will be all but forgotten.

I’d struggle to tell you exactly what year Forest last won promotion to the top flight, but without thinking I can tell you the dates of both FA Cup wins. Despite losing to Spurs in the 91 final it was still a wonderful experience. I will not forget that day at the old Wembley for as long as I live, we may not do it again in my lifetime but I am proud to say that I was there.

There’s too much emphasis on just being in the money league these days for players and fans alike.

Professionals have lots of money and little ambition; they will admittedly move clubs purely for money rather than to win trophies.

Precisely why the national team has been rubbish for the last ten years! I’ve come up with a new saying “The proof’s in the Pundit”, because there’s a lot of them about and they barely have a medal between them. T

hey’re rich and most have a full sleeve tattoo which is nice but they are a product of the modern game, which sadly lacks decoration. Here’s an example, Robbie Savage (2 League cups), Kevin Kilbane (Nothing), Jermaine Jenas (1 League cup) and Jason Roberts (Nothing).

So there you have it, it seems that along with the rest of the 23 per cent of the voters I’m a dying breed. It was very interesting to get real opinions and I’m extremely grateful to each and every person that took part in the survey.

I’ll leave you with another bit of trivia; Nottingham Forest are the only club ever to have been drawn away from home in 4 (FOUR) different countries....in the English FA Cup!?! They travelled to away games in England (Obviously), Wales (Cardiff City), Scotland (Queens Park) and Ireland (Linfield).

Following a 2-2 first round draw in 1889 Forest went over to Ireland for the replay; only to find out on arrival that Linfield had decided to withdraw from the competition.