Tom Head’s Nottingham Forest blog: Would a late bid for promotion be beneficial, or detrimental?

Forest have scored more goals in a week under Davies, than in the seven-game tenure of Alex McLeish. Two midfielders who have gone all season without a goal, suddenly find the net in consecutive games: Henri Lansbury and Radoslaw Majewski have scored six between them in 180 minutes of football.

The man who has the potential to create his own cult of personality has emphatically proven why he is known as ‘King Billy’ to some. It is understandable as to why he is revered as some sort of mythological figure - he is a modern day William Wallace. Instead of shouting ‘Freedom’, he shouts his own name in press conferences. Instead of having a close relationship with Scotland, he has one with BBC East Midlands’ Natalie Jackson.

Forest’s first back-to-back wins of the season somewhat trivialise any fears that taking a step backwards, and appointing Davies, would only add another punchline to the running joke that we were being portrayed as. However, I don’t think any of the fans who exercised caution were necessarily wrong...

Billy’s off-field antics, and failure to find employment in the last 20-months correctly raised a few questions. I found those who didn’t agree with his return to be incredibly perceptive, though I didn’t share their opinion. I also know that these fans, like all good supporters, will be euphoric to be proved wrong.

I noticed people who posted their worries about another Davies era online came under some fire. Something people fail to understand is that a subjective opinion is never, ever wrong. There is a difference between pessimism and rational judgement. If, as supporters, we don’t see eye to eye on the same things, we should not venomously hunt each other down.

To disagree with someone’s opinion on a common interest does not mean to take a dislike to them. A lot of people confuse contrasts with confrontation, and, on the internet or otherwise, it is sad to see debates about tactics, players, and in this case, managerial appointments descend into pejorative immaturity.

Something else dividing the views of the Forest faithful, is whether a promotion push is, a) possible, and b), beneficial.

We are not ready for the top flight. I think everyone knows that, after the debacle otherwise known as ‘January’. However, there are those that only want to see us go up this year, no matter what. To be fair, who could turn down tens of millions of pounds, just to finish bottom of the Premier League?

‘Ethos’ was a word we heard a lot during O’Driscoll’s five-month tenure this season. It’s something I consider to be important to any team. To know your own ‘character’ as a side, and to embody fundamental beliefs, not just about style of play, but as regards to how you achieve success. Is our road to success really going to come from milking a cash cow, whilst listlessly fluctuating between two leagues? That’s not Forest. Not for me, anyway.

In all honesty, instant riches wouldn’t give us that much of a distinct advantage as a Premier League team. The majority of teams that have been relegated in recent years, have failed to bounce back and find their way back to the promised land - the likes of Burnley, Blackpool and Derby (*sniggers*) haven’t enjoyed their lottery winnings, as they were simply not ready for the big time - It had a detrimental effect.

We all have to admit though, ready or not, a promotion party would go down an absolute treat in May. You could oppose promotion until the very last day of the season, but it would be impossible to not crave a taste of the big time once we were on its doorstep. Luckily Forest fans, it is a supporter’s prerogative to be a hypocrite, such is the unpredictable nature of football.

The reds face their toughest test since Billy’s return, with a trip to a resurgent Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday. Though nine goals in three games speaks for a team blazing the goal trail, Darius Henderson’s header against Huddersfield has been the only goal a striker has scored in open play for Forest in the league, in 2013.

Misfiring front men is usually a cause for concern, but the likes of Henderson and Cox have applied themselves admirably to the cause. With the genius of Reid, the vision of Lansbury, and menacing attacking prowess of our Radi, the forwards will be hitting the net more times than Tim Henman in a Wimbledon quarter-final.

AND, we’re on Sky again. What the nation has lost in Take Me Out finishing this week, we have gained in mildly entertaining league football. The similarities are uncanny as well, between the 30 ‘ladies’ behind a light, and our fans...

Desperate, with incredibly high standards.