The Vital Forest Fan Interview: Sapphic

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

My Dad bought me a Forest Kit for my Birthday when Brian Clough signed as the manager. I was 6. The first game I saw was at Old Trafford in 78/79 season. My dad was a coach driver and we took up a coach load of United supporters from Cheltenham. It was 1-1.

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

Making Wembley our home, especially in the late 80`s and early 90`s. Plus Trevor Francis scoring against Malmo. Worst, that`s simple - going down to 3rd tier football.

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

Peter Shilton,

Viv Anderson, Des Walker, Kenny Burns, Stuart Pearce

Steve Hodge, Ian Bowyer, John McGovern, Archie Gemmill

Nigel Clough, Garry Birtles

Had Dawson or Keane stayed longer I think they would both have been in there. We had such a wealth of talent in the late 70`s/early 80`s and again a decade later that the current crop have a lot to live up to. The club hasn`t been the same since we dropped out of the Premier league though. Favourite player of all time is Stuart Pearce - no question.

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

Well that changed last year with McGugan`s freekick from 35yards. Before that it would have been Johnny Metgod`s goal (vs WHU I think?)

Q - Best and worst away ground visited?

To watch a Forest game, the best would be Villa Park. It`s old fashioned now I know but it has great memories - watching us put 4 in the FA cup semi-final. Worst ground would be Selhurst Park - and it`s no better now. The team were awful when we played them too.

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

We need a goal scorer, Maynard sounds ideal and someone from Europe like Marc Janco who McClaren can bring the best out of. We need a playmaker too, I`m not convinced that Reid can do that for us but some of the names mentioned would be awesome for us.

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

I`m old - I buy seats when we go to a concert. I like it, but can understand why people prefer to stand.

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

We ended lower down than I thought. I had hoped for at least Top 3 and really we should have achieved auto - but that`s been done to death now. My personal view is that Billy lost the dressing room. He argued with the players which saw Gunter & Adebola dropped and a loss of confidence of others. They salvaged a play-off place but I think that`s Billy Davies` level.

Q - What are your expectations for next season in the Championship/Where will we finish?

This is a hard one to answer, so many variables left - like no signings and we haven`t kicked a ball in a friendly yet. McClaren is aiming for Top2 - and if he`s backed he is well capable. I put my money on a Top 3.

Q- Was it right for the club to sack Billy Davies?

Yes. They just didn`t do it early enough. When the club failed to back him in January 2011 he should have gone then, with a new manager coming in with funds to buy/loan. We would be in the Premier division had they done so.

Q - What's your opinion on the appointment of Steve McClaren and will he bring success to the club?

Yes he is a real steal, better than we could have hoped for, especially given Doughty`s record. If he`s backed and he is not poached by a bigger club he could well take us to the Premier division and keep us there. He needs to deliver but the bigger question is will Doughty back him & allow him to do it his way?

Q- Acquisitions Panel. Good thing or bad?

Honestly? It depends who is on it and what their roles are. An AP who are working towards the same goals is a good thing. It obviously wasn`t under Davies. It may have saved us from costly mistakes - but similarly could have prevented us going up 2 seasons running. I just hope that they actually back McClaren by putting in some sensible bids in their hunt for bargains.

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

Next to the laptop, often lazing on the sofa or the bed for a Saturday duvet afternoon.

adly for us it`s a 6.5 hour trip each way to the CG and upwards of £300 each for train tickets let alone other expenses. My partner tried to get a place at Nottingham Uni, with the intention of getting season tickets, playing pool for Nottinghamshire & trying to get into the Forest Ladies side. Strathclyde Uni offered her a place so we moved to Glasgow.

Q - Name the celebrity whose back doors you'd most like to smash.

Well sporting-wise Magdelena Neuner. But she`s far too young. I am not really into the whole celebrity thing (and refuse to watch programmes with "celebrity" in the name) but Victoria Coren intrigues me. Not your run of the mill names I know.

Many thanks to Sapphic, for taking the time out to answer the questions. If you would like to take part in the Fan Interviews, you`ll find a copy of the questions here. Just email your answers to forest@vitalfootball.co.uk and they will be published on the front page.

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