Nottingham Forest Banter 4

07 May 2026 13:27:23
Just been reading the BBC’s Villa Correspondent. He reckons that Villa have the second oldest squad (in terms of minutes played in the Premier League this season). He also says that they are subject to the law of diminishing returns, much like Nuno with us last season ie running out of steam, having to use 12 or 13 players with top flight credentials, the rest of the squad a long way behind in terms of quality. He also says after the first hours play, they tend to drop off.
Food for thought?
Emery threw the game against Spurs in a desperate bid for their first silverware in 30 years, and thus buying time for him to rebuild next season. Like all great managers he was ruthless in losing a battle to win a war, only bringing on Watkins after an hour of being outplayed then 2 subs on 85 minutes, presumably with the game lost as a sop to the booing fans.


VP had no such choice due to the respective league position but he made his changes for Chelsea in a much more nuanced way, by measuring the minutes.
I have two comments…. Firstly, despite Emery's ridiculous claims that we are favourites tonight (the bookies disagree and they are not usually wrong), Villa have certain advantages (playing at home, extra days recovery and only one key injured player (alledged) Onana), whereas we probably have 4 or 5.
Secondly, the first goal will be vital. If Villa score it, the momentum swings decisively towards them. If we score it, they will have to throw the kitchen sink at us, leaving them increasingly open to our counter attacking style.
Strap yourselves in fellow Reds, it’s going to be a bumpy night…….

07 May 2026 16:02:10
Typical Beeb. I read that article, but on their sports page there is no mention of us, surprise, surprise. You'd be forgiven for thinking Villa are already in the final. ⭐🌳⭐

07 May 2026 17:24:00
TBH Red Robin, I think it suits us to fly under the radar mate. 🤞🤞

07 May 2026 18:42:46
Kamara was their best player till he got injured in January. That's their 2 main midfielders out.

When they were flying, they had Tielemans freed up ahead of them, with McGinn and Rogers either side. They haven't hit the same heights since.

07 May 2026 19:25:34
Can't wait to watch this tonight on our last night in Guernsey. Good post, Stokey, but you made my eyes bleed again towards the end.

I prefer to be on a 'rollercoaster ride' with Forest than supporters of certain other clubs who are forever on the 'merry go round'.

07 May 2026 19:42:21
Come on Forest!!!!!
This is Our destiny!!!!!
Let's do this!!!!!!

07 May 2026 20:55:55
This system isn't working....
Wonder if Vito can find a solution?
Villa's tails are up...
Let's wipe that smirk off Watkins' face!!!
COYRS!!!!

07 May 2026 21:03:30
Be nice to see the players turn up in the second half. This is a chance to get into the final of Europe, you donkeys. Terrible.

07 May 2026 21:08:32
Classic, Skeggs...
Not an ounce of encouragement.

07 May 2026 07:39:13
{Ed's Note - Tomthumb1212 has posted a new article entitled, Rangers Left Paying for Bad Calls in Big Moments

07 May 2026 09:32:08
You know it's a bad season when Rangers or Celtic can't win the Young Farmers League. 🌳

06 May 2026 22:46:03
For the last few Europa matches I've always thought points on the following Sunday are much more important than European progression.Now I've completely changed my mind, I'm crossing everything I have for a draw at least tomorrow. I don't care about Sunday.We are just a draw and a win away from Champions League football.

I'd never have thought it possible again in my lifetime.I've been to two European finals, a third would be unbelievable. Not many football fans outside the mega rich can say that.

06 May 2026 23:42:58
It should have been more, mate. Cheated in 84, and I'm certain our team, during the ban years, would have made it as well.

07 May 2026 08:29:22
Uredddssss, recliner check. Stella in fridge check. Takeaway on order check. Forest win. 🙏 Uredddssss.

07 May 2026 08:40:22
What a healthy life you lead, Skegs.

07 May 2026 09:30:22
Roast lamb and 1664 for me, Skegs. Armchair instead of recliner. Had to book the entire day off because I knew I'd be a nightmare today, and those ants in me pants are already at it.
🐜. COYR. ⭐🌳⭐

07 May 2026 09:41:21
I'll be having water, lettuce and cucumber sandwiches.
🤥🤥🤥

07 May 2026 09:46:30
🤣🤣🤣 Rogie, 10 Guinness and a doner kebab.

07 May 2026 11:03:43
Gazzi, that win over Chelsea gives Vitor Pereira more leverage vis a vis the Europa (and the preceding wins over Sunderland and Burnley). As I said, West Ham need to beat Arsenal at home and Newcastle away to even get level with us, and we are 17 goals better off.

An Arsenal win, or even a draw for us against Newcastle, finishes them off and secures safety for us, effectively.
Will it be a bridge too far tonight, with our injuries? A draw will do, but I can guarantee a cracking game tonight.

07 May 2026 12:16:27
Sports bar with massive screens and with family friends and some real ale.
Looking forward to it.
And whatever happens, well done to Vitor and his coaches for getting the best out the squad.

07 May 2026 13:18:44
However you intend to digest the game tonight, just enjoy, gents. Games like these only come around once or twice in a generation. In my case it's my first. COYR. ⭐🌳⭐

06 May 2026 19:32:55
Anyone getting ready for part zwei of the modern epic over in Deutschland this evening. The perfect tonic for any nerves creeping into ourselves in regard to tomorrow in Birscheisseham. COYR. 🌳

06 May 2026 18:21:48
Let’s look at our situation factually comrades.
There has to be a very unlikely set of results for us to get relegated now. A win for pumped up Arsenal at West Ham means the latter would have to win their last 2 games and, crucially, overturn a 17 goal (and counting) deficit. Arsenal will not do a Villa and put out a weakened team, Arteta is desperate to put the Man City threat to his Premiership Championship to bed with a asap so that he can focus on the European Championship.


Leaving Spurs aside, we only have to get a point against Newcastle or Bournemouth to achieve mathematical safety.
Likewise, we only need a draw tomorrow night to progress (though we won’t be sitting back on a slender one goal lead).
We have injuries to key players, certainly, but VP has got the so called “second string” motivated and organised.
I’d be happy with a draw tomorrow and Sunday, no further injuries and no extra time.
Coyr!

06 May 2026 19:36:31
I honestly think we'll turn Geordieland over at our place Sunday. Tomorrow will possibly be tight, but after our showing in London, who knows? Could turn out to be one of our better weeks in a long time. 🌳

06 May 2026 16:26:43
Here's a scenario Forest stay in the Premier League and win the Europa Cup thereby qualifying for the Champions League does he stay at Forest

He's a big fish in a smaller pond

1. England International already
2. Plays every week
3. Happy at the club future Captain

Why leave then MONEY!

Remember Jack Grealish loved at Villa playing for England goes to Man City played out of position became bench warmer on 250k a week!

Stay Elliott MR M give him and MGW new contracts

06 May 2026 19:38:30
I fear the deal is done, Ando will head to the north west and we'll raid the north east again, this time for Hackney to replace him. 🌳

06 May 2026 20:03:07
I'm pretty confident we'll do it.
COYRS!!!!

06 May 2026 14:45:07
I wouldn’t risk CHO tomorrow for his own sake. Use Jesus as a 10 and bring Dominguez or Yates in to throttle their midfield, especially McGinn.
If Abbot is okay, move Neco to the left and keep Abbot on the right.
Somehow my bones tell me we can win or draw with the Villans!
COYR.

06 May 2026 15:01:56
I think it would be too "Taxing" for Callum personally speaking....
🤭🤭🤭

06 May 2026 16:40:44
Cho is out for the season after his op Bse mate. I'm assuming you mean MGW?

06 May 2026 17:13:11
Oops, yes, got my initials mixed! Meant MGW. Poor lad, pain will take several days to lessen.

06 May 2026 17:31:47
MGW will be the Phantom of the Opera tomorrow night.

06 May 2026 17:49:55
It's very odd, but when I got my stitches through my eyebrow I felt no pain at all, perhaps because the cuts had severed the nerve endings because they were deep. Didn't take any painkillers at all.
If he does play, the adrenaline will take him through it.


He might be used as a sub if desperate. I'm thinking that Murillo has slipped under the radar and will be available...
Likewise, Aina and Sanghere?
In VP we trust, though he's keeping his cards very close to his chest, saying it's between the medical staff and the player?

06 May 2026 19:19:08
I don't think he'll play, mate. Villa will be targeting him big time, personally, I wouldn't give them the satisfaction.

06 May 2026 19:44:28
He missed training today, VP suggested to give him time to heal. I wonder if he was getting a mask fitted? 🌳

06 May 2026 07:39:14
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Matchday 35 - Quick Round Up

05 May 2026 23:36:30
Think VP has seen something in a player most of us including me had written off Dilane Bakwa was superb against Chelsea against a Spanish international left back

Thierry Henry said he knew Bakwa and said he I a confidence player that needs an arm round him! He's not a bad judge of a player is he

Brilliant VP you are a breathe of fresh air for out club

06 May 2026 06:58:09
Yes Munmad, you're spot on with this post.

06 May 2026 08:14:56
How many more have been written off for a similar reason?

06 May 2026 10:37:15
I hate to tempt fate, but Morato has been steady the past few games. Left to some on here, Woody and Yates would have been dumped on the scrap heap. Yates lacks Sanghere's technical skills, but he's played his heart out, along with Dominquez, other players who have been maligned by several posters...

06 May 2026 11:20:01
And none of you, wonderful posters, have ever slated a player or a manager in the past. 1 good game from 30 and they're the bee's knees. 🤣🤣

06 May 2026 13:14:34
Said over 2 years ago, that Wood might just be our Sheringham. Yates always ruffles feathers...
Yes, Bakwa has improved, and needs to carry that threat more than ever tomorrow night. Morato, despite his upturn in form, still gives me flutters.
Just saying...

06 May 2026 15:19:19
I don't think, if you have not ever been a professional footballer, you can understand the pressure they are all under. 25,000 plus supporters watching. The pressure not to make a mistake, so a safe pass rather than an adventurous one, can be huge. Woods' near-perfect penalty recently, as compared to Palmer's, is an example of a high standard of professionalism. The younger players will learn a lot from him.

Anderson is another star that is on the up and up. VP has shown he is an excellent man-manager, and has got players playing to their true potential, i.e., Bakwa, who must compete with Hutchinson.
Whatever the outcome of forthcoming matches, I don't think anyone can complain about a lack of commitment from top to bottom. Let's now put the Villians to the sword.

05 May 2026
New image uploaded to the
Nottingham Forest Player Sightings page entitled,

Click picture for larger image