Nottingham Forest Season Review 2011/12

The 2011-12 season has proved to be an emotional one for the Reds both on and off the pitch, and although it ultimately led to Forest securing their Championship safety, it was far from a walk in the park for both players and supporters.

The season may fail to rank high in the memory of most Reds fans, and understandably from a campaign that was marred with stumbling blocks and left the club looking all but relegated at one stage. Furthermore it was often hard to hide from the fact that failures on the field of play did at times lead to some hostility amongst the supporters.

In addition, the heartache on the pitch was coupled with the sad passing of Chairman Nigel Doughty in February, leaving a huge void at the City Ground and bringing the financial future of the club into question.

However, spirits did improve at the back end of the season and in turn the squad united under manager Steve Cotterill, who helped the Reds to secure another opportunity at Championship football next season.

A season that began with a play-off semi-final defeat to Swansea still fresh in the minds of many Forest fans was eased slightly with the appointment of Steve McClaren, yielding fresh hope following the departure of Billy Davies.

However, things failed to go quite to plan for the former England boss who managed only two wins during his 111 day stint in the hot seat. McClaren eventually resigned in October with the Reds dangling just a point above the relegation trap-door. And in turn Nigel Doughty stepped down as Chairman after ten years in charge at the City Ground.

Although McClaren made five signings during his time at the club he was criticised for some of the players he decided to bring Trent side, and his most memorable match during his short spell at the helm was the League Cup win over Notts County. McClaren’s best work behind the scenes was acquiring the services of former Reds legend Andy Reid from Blackpool, who later proved a vital cog in the midfield engine.

Former Reds player and manager Frank Clark was appointed the new Chairman by Nigel Doughty and his first job was to appoint Steve Cotterill as boss. Things began brightly for the former Portsmouth manager, not only did he solve the long running left back crisis by bringing in Greg Cunningham on loan from Manchester City, but he also won his first game in charge against Middlesbrough.

Cotterill’s men then went on to move clear of the drop-zone winning three of their next five games. Frontman Marcus Tudgay finding good form at a time when it was vital he did so. But the success failed to be maintained and the Reds soon found themselves victims to a string of seven games without a win or even a goal.

Forest’s New Year began well at the start of 2012 when they ended their dreadful streak with a win at Ipswich, but this proved a blip of good form as they went on to lose to both West Ham and Southampton before a crushing defeat to local rivals Leicester in the FA Cup.

In January it was time for the transfer revolving door to swing into action with Wes Morgan leaving for Leicester and youngster Patrick Bamford securing a dream switch to Chelsea. In the other direction Cotterill secured four loanees; Danny Higginbotham, Adlene Guedioura, George Elokobi and Scott Wootton.

On the 4^th February the Reds were shocked by the tragic news of the death of Nigel Doughty, a man who had provided huge financial support to the club saving it from the claws of administration. Tributes were left outside the City Ground and the squad united promising to remain in the division to honour Nigel.

Although the Reds only managed a draw against Watford in a game dedicated to Nigel Doughty, they did grab all three points a week later against Coventry, a match which began the goal-scoring prevalence of a man who would go on to win player of the season – Garath McCleary.

Cotterill’s men then went on to beat Birmingham against the odds with Dexter Blackstock back in goal-scoring form. However, the Reds had what looked to be a hiccup when they were defeated by Doncaster at home before securing a win at Millwall the following week. But fans were left deflated again after the Reds were beaten by a single goal at Pride Park against Derby, despite a closely contested match.

The game that followed was not only the game of the season for the Reds, but also contained the goal of the season, a 7-3 victory away to Leeds at Elland Road finished with McCleary finding himself on the score sheet four times. And the winger did indeed score a couple of great goals, but none quite as sweet as the 30-yard drive from Adlene Guedioura that sailed straight into the top corner, eventually winning the supporters goal of the season award.

Two draws then followed against Brighton at home and at Leicester before a trip to Selhurst Park which led to Radi Majewski having his chance to shine - the Polish midfielder scoring a hat-trick in the 3-0 drubbing. However, the Reds were left with a difficult end to the season after defeat at home to Bristol City left them only four points clear of relegation with five games remaining.

A vital three points away at Peterborough along with a point at home against Blackpool was enough to leave Forest to face a trip to Reading with the chance of being able to secure their league survival. Although they lost the game the Reds put on a fantastic performance and results elsewhere left them mathematically safe.

And the season came to a climax with a poignant game at the City Ground for Steve Cotterill against his former side, the already relegated Portsmouth. Forest ran out 2-0 winners with two Blackstock strikes and the players ended a disappointing season with some fleeting comfort of staying in the Championship.

"Remember, darkest is before dawn."

Nigel Doughty 1957-2012

 As a Nottingham Forest fan, I have felt many emotions during my countless visits to the City Ground, from the gloom of relegation in 2005, to the ecstasy of promotion in 2008 and the misery of many failed play-off campaigns since. But none of these sensations were quite like the feelings I felt amongst the fans at the City Ground on Saturday.

It was always going to be an emotional day for everyone involved at the club following the unexpected death of Nigel Doughty just last week. But I never quite imagined these emotions would be laid as bare amongst us all, as they were at the weekend.

As the fans poured into the City Ground just before kick-off there was a feeling of solidarity like never before. Many fans gathered to pay their own respects to Nigel beside the Main Stand, and the soft silence there was a poignant tribute to a gentle man who gave his all to the club he loved.

Just walking towards the many tributes left by the Main Stand I myself felt a lump in my throat, the realisation that Nigel had gone had already brought a tear to my eye. Nigel was a man who was from the town I grew up in, a man who had been first of all a fan, and more importantly a loving husband and father. Some would say Nigel had it all, and he certainly deserved it. 

Nigel celebrates with the players following the 2008 promotion to the Championship

 As the fans trickled into the ground I opened the match day programme and began to read Mark Arthur’s piece on Nigel, Mr Arthur was the one who inspired me to write this article myself, with his high praise for the man whom he worked alongside for many years.

Mr Arthur spoke of Nigel as a man whose ‘generosity knew no boundaries’, a man who was ‘big in stature’ and ‘big in heart.’ And I think that it how most Forest fans will remember him too. The minute’s applause before the game followed by chants to the tune of Nigel’s name provided a striking homage to the man who saved our club and continued to back us over the years.

And the game itself, against Watford, was an exhilarating match full of chances that Nigel himself, as a fan, would definitely have enjoyed. The fact that the Reds put in a performance we can build on, might have produced what Mr Arthur said was Nigel’s favourite saying when times were hard – “Remember, darkest is before dawn.”

For Forest this season, there is hope, and on Saturday we were shown that. The fans were magnificent for the entire game and the players responded accordingly, earning a point that could easily have been three. The feeling of unity in the City Ground was immense, and the volume of the Mull of Kintyre song, sang by Reds’ fans prior to kick-off, emulated this.

I think that the biggest honour we can all pay to Nigel is to continue our fantastic support through these hard times for the club we all love, just like Nigel did. As Nigel’s favourite phrase preached - even in the worst of circumstances there is light at the end of the tunnel, and we saw that belief in action on Saturday, both in terms of the play from our players, and the support from all of the Forest faithful.

I would just like to thank every Forest fan, and indeed those that are not linked with the club, that have paid their respects in their own way over the last week to a man who has left us far too soon. This unison between us all has created an atmosphere for success which Nigel would have been proud of.

Now it is time for us all to step up and continue to remember Nigel by doing what he did best; supporting the Reds through thick and thin.

Let’s paint the city red.

R.I.P Nigel.

A tribute left by one fan outside the City Ground