Forest lose unbeaten run… at Pride Park!
It was written. Football can be as predictable as it is manic, and today’s meltdown has been lurking in the shadows for some time.
A performance that would have satisfied Colin Calderwood only compounded the inevitability. From the first whistle our opponents had the upper hand, and for the first time this season our players were guilty of believing their own publicity.
The net result was arguably the worst performance of the season – and indisputably the worst result.
Nobody can argue that Forest are the superior side, even on today’s evidence, but we have been reminded of our frailty in the face of a side that will not let us play. Whether most Championship opponents will have the resolve to sustain the work rate needed to topple us is another matter. Nonetheless, today’s collapse is a blueprint for future failure.
When our equilaterals are scythed and our wingers are clipped we are as fond as the next team of ‘lumping it’ – and the cap doesn’t fit. Not for a moment did we look capable of winning the game, and not for a moment did an opener for the home side seem anything less than inevitable.

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County forget troubles with gutsy performance
Notts County came within seven minutes of causing the biggest shock of the FA Cup fourth round, before being held to a draw by Premiership side Wigan Athletic at Meadow Lane. Goals from Lee Hughes and Ben Davies had given the Magpies a 2-0 lead at half time, but the Latics’ second half possession paid dividends as Jason Scotland pulled one back before Watson headed in from close range to spare the blushes of Roberto Martinez and his side. Notts lined up in an unfamiliar 4-5-1 formation, with Johnnie Jackson at left back and Jamie Clapham sat just infront of the back four. For the visitors, a strike force of Hugo Rodallega and Jason Scotland was always going to cause problems, whilst Titus Bramble captained the side in defence alongside Spaniard Antonio Amaya.

The game started at a breakneck pace with Ricky Ravenhill and Neal Bishop flying into tackles and disrupting the rhythm of the visiting side’s midfield. The hosts carved out the first chance of the game too as Craig Westcarr slid in Lee Hughes, but the angle was too tight for League Two’s leading scorer and his shot went narrowly wide of the far post. Despite Notts’ earlier territorial advantage however Wigan nearly took the lead with their first attack as Scotland played in Rodallega, who steadied himself before hitting a fierce low drive which was tipped onto the post by Schmeichel. This let off only spurred Notts on however and they took the lead soon after, once again through the in-form Hughes. An incisive counter attack saw Ben Davies play him in down the line, allowing Hughes to wriggle clear of Amaya and steady himself before slotting the ball underneath Stojkovic in the Wigan goal to give the underdogs the advantage.

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Tail of Two halves as Camp saves another penalty
Contrasting halves for the Reds today saw them play some of their best stuff this season in the opening half – only to meet a much more organised and hard-working Reading side in the second. It comes to something when you come away from a win pondering what went wrong – but after hearing the post-match interviews that’s what Billy has the boys doing!

I was reasonably pleased with things leaving the ground – although it did take two exceptional saves from Lee Camp in open play, and of course a penalty save, in the second half to prevent Reading from breaching our goal earlier. The eventual goal was soft – and foretold by the moves which had brought the earlier saves from the Reds ‘keeper – so I can understand why he was visibly frustrated to have missed out on a clean sheet.

Billy reshuffled the deck to a more familiar starting line-up compared to the cup diversion in midweek – with a 4-4-2 formation comprising.

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Forest look flash against the Albion
There’s that scene in the Matrix, when Neo first faces one of the agents and fights rather than runs. “What’s happening?” asks Trinity, Morpheus – oft derided for his faith in ‘the one’ simply answers “He’s starting to believe.”
That’s how I feel having watched the Reds spend 70 minutes demolishing West Brom. True, there was a slip that let them in, which perhaps offers us a reminder that inevitably things won’t all go our way – but my gosh, we are certainly the architects of our fortunes at the moment, and there were some magical moments for us to celebrate.
Predictably Billy went in ‘away mode’ – but his flexible five in the middle formation worked beautifully and devastatingly today, leaving the Baggies with no choice but to lump it long and kick out petulantly as the rampant Reds gave them no time or space to play. Magical stuff, even the Sky pundits veritably lavished us with praise. This, folks, is pinch-yourself territory.

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Reds make easy work of ‘Poor’ Preston
The Reds won this at a stroll, and that’s not a slur on their efforts – they just made it look so easy. It helped that Preston were never really at the races, by the time they’d mustered a chance they’d already conceded two.

Ecstasy and then agony for the Panthers
After a nervous end to the first period the GMB panthers came good to beat Edinburgh 7-3 on Saturday. Panthers jumped to a four goal lead before some early Christmas generosity gifted goals to the visitors and the first period ended with the slender margin of a 4-3 scoreline.

Radcliffe and the NSL Charity game
Over the festive period there will be a number of games being played to help raise money for well deserved charities. Radcliffe, Ruddington and the NSL all have games arranged.

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Forest smash and grab the points in Swansea
A smash and grab trip to Swansea for the Reds keeps our unbeaten run intact and puts us back up to the lofty perch of third in the league – and within two points of West Brom in second (albeit with the Baggies having a game in hand against QPR).

County suffer at the hands of Accrington
otts surrendered their unbeaten record in the league at home this afternoon against Accrington Stanley. Notts were unchanged from the side that worked and harried so well last week against the Bulls.

Harvey Haddon rocks to King of the Ring 13
The Harvey Haddon Sports Arena was the place to be last Saturday as it played host to King of the Ring 13. Street dance group ‘Ground Hogs’ opened the show with their terrific and well choreographed dancing which left the entire crowd pumped up for the first bout of the evening.

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Notts County Voucher Updates
Due to a misprint on Notts County’s part, the club are not able to adhere to the ‘buy one, get one free’ offer for the FA Cup match against Forest Green Rovers because it violates FA rules and regulations.

However, vouchers cut out of the Ballsmania newspaper will be valid for use when the Magpies take on Macclesfield Town on January, 9, 2010. Please note that photocopied or digitally printed copies will not be accepted.

The second voucher for the Boxing Day fixture against Grimsby Town is still usable.

Fabulous Forest make the Foxes look tame!
The question that we can’t seem to answer though is ‘Were we that good, or were they just rubbish?’ – my first instinct was the latter, being a bit of a pessimist, but of course I think we have to consider Forest’s influence on them to deny them the opportunity to play.

Three wins on the bounce for Hans and Notts
Notts County recorded a third straight win, two in the league, with a professional performance to see off struggling Hereford United at Edgar Street. Craig Westcarr and Mike Edwards struck after Kasper Schmeichel saved a first half penalty to ensure the Magpies left Hereford with three points.

Panthers share the weekends points with Coventry
he first of two games between rivals Nottingham and Coventry this weekend ended in success for the GMB Panthers with a final scoreline of 6-2. Elsewhere, new league leaders Belfast lost at Newcastle (2-1) while Cardiff beat Edinburgh (5-2) and Sheffield won at Hull (1-5).

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Inter v Juve gets heated!

Someone’s been watching too much Schumacher!

The best player in the world gets roughed-up!

Hans gets the Pies back on track
Notts County secured their place in the third round of the FA Cup for the first time since their exit to Middlesbrough six years ago with a hard fought 2-1 victory at League Two leaders Bournemouth in atrocious conditions at Dean Court.

Revenge is sweet for Forest
The vibes are pretty good at the moment – on a good run, Billy having been on the charm offensive with the fans, some favourites back from injury – and opponents who, bogey-side aside, we should be able to beat.

Nottingham looked neat against Neath
Nottingham Rugby notched up their second win in the British and Irish Cup in front of a bumper crowd at Meadow Lane yesterday. More than 2,300 people saw the exciting 14-3 win over Neath in the inaugural cup competition.

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