The Vital Forest Fan Interview: Andrew Chesney

Q - How long have you been following Forest and what was your first game?

Been a Forest fan since I was 12 or 13. My first game was at 15. Forest won 5-2 v Charlton 97. I have lived in Chelmsford all my life.

Q - What are your most memorable moments as a Forest fan? Good and Bad.

Good times- being in the Prem with Frank Clark & our UEFA Cup run. Winning Division 1 in '98 with van Hooijdonk & Campbell.
play-off season 02/03 with Johnson & Harewood. 7-1 win v Swindon & 3-0 win at Man City. Promotion v Yeovil in 2008. - This season 3rd in league.. so plenty of highs

Bad times - Relegation from Premier in 1999 & 04/05 from Championship. Platts first season was a downer. Overall the lowest point has to be Megson's reign. Don't blame him as such for relegation, but his season in League One was awful & makes him the worst manager we had. Play-off defeat to Yeovil is probably the worst experience. 4-0 defeat to Scunthorpe at Home was dreadful. Play-off defeat to Blackpool now on the list!

Q - Since you have been following Forest, what would your best eleven be? And who is your all time favourite player?

Best 11: GK- Crossley, Gunter, Cooper, Morgan, Pearce: Stone, Bart-Williams, Jenas, Reid.

Favourite player: Tough to say as so many. Bart-Williams is one that sticks out for me.

Q - In your opinion, what is the best goal you have seen Forest score?

Again so many spring to mind. The top goals would be: Ian Woan 2nd free-kick v Tottenham 96. Woan's 2nd goal at Newcastle in FA Cup..Bart-Williams v Chelsea 97. Bart-Williams free-kick v Blackburn 01. van Hooijdonk v Huddersfield in 98. Commons v Yeading FA cup. Commons free-kick at Port Vale.In recent years. McGugan's free-kicks v Gillingham, Yeovil & QPR. McGugan v Huddersfield H. Tyson goal at Man City. Joe Garner at Southampton 2-0. Moussi v Bristol City. (Best team goal)-Woan v Liverpool A in 96. Cohen v West Brom A & Boyd v Scunthorpe.

Q - Best and worst away ground visited?

Best: Man City. worst: Peterborough.

Q - What are your thoughts on the proposed new stadium?

This would be a huge change for Forest. The idea of a nice big stadium does appeal, but The City Ground has so much history & good atmosphere. If it happens -then I will back it, but if not will be happy to stay & hope The Main Stand gets rebuilt.

Q- Which player(s) would you like to see us sign this summer(realistically)?

I will let the club decide on this. In terms of positions - we must sign a left-back to compete with Julian Bennett. A left-winger is needed (George Boyd). Maybe one new striker if any of the current ones leave.

Q - All seater stadia. Good thing, or a bad thing?

Good thing as all modern stadia have it.

Q - What are your thoughts on how Forest did last season and how did it compare to your expectations?

Well 3rd was much better than expected. After 19th last year, I was hoping for a top 8 or 9 finish. Didn't expect us to finish in play-offs- so to be 3rd best team in league was a great season.

Q - What are your expectations for next season in the Championship?

Probably another play-off push. Some people will expect us to be up in Top 2, but I don't think it will be easy. A top 6 finish is realistic. But even if we finish 8th or 9th it's a good season.

Q - What League position will Forest occupy at the end of the 2010/11 season?

Really can't say. But it doesn't follow that we will do better than this year.

Q - What's your opinion of Billy Davies and what he's done at NFFC, since his arrival?

He's been here 1 & half seasons. He's done a great job & given us our best season since we've been out of the Prem league. So our best finish in 11 years. Also staying up last year was crucial & by no means routine. Davies will take the club forward. I can't see anything less than a Top 8 finish while he's here.

Q- Acquisitions Panel. Good thing or bad?

A good thing, people moan about lack of signings but we got 9 in last summer & at bargain prices for many. The January window is not a good window & clubs should not rely on this to buy players. In my opinion the summer spending sets your squad up for the season. After that the loan window is very welcome but I'm not keen to buy players in January. People moan but if you look at recent years - in 2008, we signed just McCleary but still got 2nd & promotion. In 2009 we signed no one, but got 5 players on loan which kept us up. This year we signed nobody but still kept 3rd spot in the league. We have to accept that Newcastle & West Brom were too good.

Q - Where do you sit/stand at the City Ground?

Usually in Main stand. Used to be Brian Clough lower, but in recent seasons I use the Main Stand.

Q - Name the celebrity you would most like to bang.

No comment.

Many thanks to Andrew for taking the time to answer the questions. If you would like to take part in the Fan Interviews, you can find a copy of the questions HERE. Just email the answers to forest@vitalfootball.co.uk.

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