11 May 2026 13:49:34
First of all, congratulations to the lads and VP on our Premier League survival and an excellent clinching point against Newcastle. If you read my posts right back to the SD you will see that I predicted a comfortable mid table ish final position and on 43 points and 2 games to go I’m roughly right.
Our struggle this season has been our owner's fault but he got it right at the 4th attempt and I appreciate his passion and investment but not his competence in decision making. Like our ancient committee and their forbearance with the “foibles” of Cloughie then Mr M should have nurtured Nuno and built on his achievement instead of alienating him. His appointment of Ange with no preseason or time to inculcate his methods (an entirely different ethos to Nuno's) was disastrous. SD steadied the ship and VP has been superb.
I’m staggered by the criticism of our players yesterday from some posters on here from yesterday. I thought it was an incredible achievement, with our long list of injuries and 3rd game in 6 days. Villa couldn’t put Burnley away yesterday and they 3 games in 7 days (ie a day extra and far fewer injuries).

I thought we might flag second half but to come back late on was remarkable. It was clear from half an hour in, to anyone with any knowledge of football, that we were running on empty.
So, for the future, we have to brace ourselves for the loss of our key players to other clubs (Murillo, Ando and MGW) and some sensible (for a change) recruitment with the money their sale will raise. Yesterday, I loved VP astute tactical flexibility (going from back 5 to back 4) and Netz seamlessly going from full back to wide midfield. Obviously, Ando was magnificent, Sels faultless, Williams full on as always.
Bakwa and Hutch looked a good bet for next season and Taiwo’s was a chuffing thorn in the side all afternoon. Yates and Dominquez put in tremendous effort in the absence of Sanghere and MGW. Milenkovic a warrior and organiser as always.
Plenty to build on certainly. Meanwhile we can look on with a sort of Wildean detached amusement at the struggles of the 2 London giants.
Coyr!

1.) 11 May 2026
11 May 2026 14:34:52
It was a Herculean effort by all, mate.

2.) 11 May 2026
11 May 2026 15:05:10
It certainly was, Rogie. I need a holiday just from watching it. ?

3.) 11 May 2026
11 May 2026 15:50:36
.....And, Breeeeeath!

4.) 11 May 2026
11 May 2026 17:32:55
My God!!! (Literally!)
You know you're getting on when you see Spandau Ballet's Martin Kemp advertising Life Insurance!!!.
???

5.) 11 May 2026
11 May 2026 18:52:03
Or John Lyndon advertising butter, mate.....
What's the world coming to.... ???

6.) 11 May 2026
11 May 2026 18:57:27
Good post, as usual, Stokey. It was a superb result and I'm already looking forward to next season.

However, I'm surprised that you were 'staggered' by some posters berating certain players. I think every true supporter of any football club has earned the right, through both their emotional and financial commitment, to comment on any poor-performers within their team.

I'm guilty as charged in that respect. I posted that Morato is an awful player.

I hold my breath every time he has the ball, waiting for his next mistake. I'd also say that Dominguez isn't much better - the lad tries hard, but just seems to run around like a headless chicken. I'm glad he got pulled at half time.

Some canny recruitment (and discharge) of players required this summer. I've already mentally said goodbye and good luck to Murillo and Ando. I just hope that we can keep MGW.

7.) 11 May 2026
11 May 2026 19:22:43
Don't be "Spreading" that about Stokey!!!
???

8.) 11 May 2026
11 May 2026 19:27:39
All are relieved that we are safe, of course, and well played from Vitor Pereira to the under 18s!
However, it will take some very canny recruitments should the 3 expected to leave do. Remember, MGW came because of Cooper, and Anderson was a very fortuitous signing as a result of FFP. The big question is, how can we attract quality players to a club whose long term future, even manager, is by no means certain. Some of the new players signed this season have unreasonably had criticism; they, however, will be the core of our new team.

They all came either because they thought Forest a good club or they got a pay rise and their previous club a great fee. Some players, such as Louca, may be better than we think, but have we the time to persevere. Do we raid again ex-under-21s like Harvey Elliot or Quansa. I don't think we will see the likes of Anderson and MGW coming to our club for a long while yet. Maybe it's time to invest in the academy, as Brentford and others have.

9.) 11 May 2026
11 May 2026 19:58:03
Nice one Rogie. It would have been more appropriate if Lydon had been in "The Jam" perhaps? ?

10.) 11 May 2026
11 May 2026 20:13:40
Well, I think that you've hit the nail on the head, Nono. I've been saying for years that our Academy is one of the best and an untapped resource to supplement our first team with home-grown talent.

Routinely, most posters have derided me for saying this.

However, I stand by what I have said on the subject - just give 2 or 3 of the best players in the Academy the chance to prove themselves by training with the 1st team.

We may be pleasantly surprised by the outcome....

11.) 11 May 2026
11 May 2026 20:41:49
I've been shouting for years on here about our academy, Lego. Love to see them coming through.

12.) 11 May 2026
11 May 2026 20:59:26
Fair enough, Lego, my friend. I'd never criticise fans or posters for having a go at the team or players within it. As you rightly say, everyone is entitled to have an opinion. But it's unfair to do us down in the state of exhaustion we are in. 3 games in 6 days is crazy, with injuries limiting the depths of our resources. Newcastle had 8 days' rest before they played us and it showed, especially as the game wore on.
I agree about Morato. He's been performing much better under VP, but he always has a mistake in him (and he was saved by Sels from a crazy pass out of the penalty area on Sunday).

I think Cunha and Abbott are well ahead of him at centre back.
As for Dominquez, I like him. Incredible engine and workrate, plus technical skill. He's not afraid to put a foot in either, as he knows all the Argentinian dark arts. Mate, as they say, every architect needs a hod carrier before the building gets erected...