Aitor Karanka is a man refreshed – a previous winner of promotion to the Premier League, ready to do it all again. His state of mind should prove a warning sign to every team in the division.
“I want to develop a good project," he wrote in The Coaches’ Voice. “I feel everything is in place in my mind… Now I am ready for a new challenge."
The Spanish manager has been true to his word. After a stabilising, albeit dour, role in the latter part of Forest’s 2017/18 season has come a summer revolution – and it certainly looks like a “good project". Underachievers and training ground moaners have been ushered out the door and in their place a riot of talent, flair and leadership has flooded into the Reds’ dressing room.
This Forest team is unlike any for years – it boasts genuine character and experience, the sort of pace and guile the City Ground hasn’t seen for years, arguably since Frank Clark’s best Reds side, and a host of homegrown youngsters desperate to become stars.
With the club’s ambition in no short supply what should our expectations look like? A little look through my betting account would suggest promotion is on the cards with new striker Lewis Grabban destined for the upper end of the top scorer charts.
Hands up, I’m getting carried away. But so should you. Be there, be truly supportive, particularly when things are tough, but get carried away when they’re exciting. That is what football is all about. Something is stirring at the City Ground.
Should we be excited?
Too bloody right!
#thatlovingfeeling
From Peter Blackburn...
posted on 4/8/18
I suspect that when Karanka was at Middlesbrough you thought of him as a miserable git with a boring team. Now he is suddenly a great bloke and manager.
posted on 5/8/18
For all the wumming I’ve done over the years - this is genuinely good to see. I’d like forest and Leicester to be in the top division - would be nice to have Midlands teams in the top flight again. It’s certainly looking good for forest this year and I think top 6 is on the cards
Strett is still a diiick though
posted on 5/8/18
comment by I'm not Spartacus, to be quite Frank (U4603)
posted 23 hours, 10 minutes ago
I suspect that when Karanka was at Middlesbrough you thought of him as a miserable git with a boring team. Now he is suddenly a great bloke and manager.
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And you all thought Lampard was a Cockney ponce. 😏
posted on 5/8/18
comment by Black Starr - Keep an eye out for Uganda (U12353)
posted 33 minutes ago
For all the wumming I’ve done over the years - this is genuinely good to see. I’d like forest and Leicester to be in the top division - would be nice to have Midlands teams in the top flight again. It’s certainly looking good for forest this year and I think top 6 is on the cards
Strett is still a diiick though
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Let’s see, BS. Money guarantees nothing. Karanka has pretty much every target he wanted signed up so it is completely his squad now. They have even moved on most of those he doesn’t want so there aren’t many distractions. Teams will want to put Forest in their place as they have spent heavily, though. Going to need some big cahones to make the top six after years of underachievement.
posted on 5/8/18
comment by Will Scarlet (U17891)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by I'm not Spartacus, to be quite Frank (U4603)
posted 23 hours, 10 minutes ago
I suspect that when Karanka was at Middlesbrough you thought of him as a miserable git with a boring team. Now he is suddenly a great bloke and manager.
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And you all thought Lampard was a Cockney ponce. 😏
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Rowett was the Messiah now he is a very naughty boy. What point are you trying to make?
posted on 5/8/18
Lampard was he playing, you know, the last time Derby were in the Prem'? how many goals did he score?
The thing is if he's anygood he will be off and if he isn't Lozenge Head will sack him; either way he will be gone.
Nice bloke and possibly a good manager, just not at Derby.
What are the odds on Schetve? he is afterall Derby's most successful manager since Clough?
posted on 5/8/18
How much have Forest spent out of interest?
posted on 5/8/18
The award for most patronising ar*e licking poster of 2018/19 campaign goes to .... Drum roll ....... BLACK STARR. Award given after one game, Other posters don't waste your time.
posted on 5/8/18
comment by Black Starr - Keep an eye out for Uganda (U12353)
posted 3 hours, 7 minutes ago
How much have Forest spent out of interest?
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Most transfers spread over 3 years at least. Carvalho is £13m and Grabban was £6m so a fair chunk in those two. Soudani was about £3m, I think. Others are loans and frees. A fair wad of cash. Not seen the likes at Forest for a while. Hope it has been invested better than the last few times they have thrown money at this league.
posted on 5/8/18
How are Leicester looking this season?