Championship return,Premiership aspirations

Well, it only took three years. And a multitude of ups and mostly downs later Nottingham Forest are back in the Championship.

 

Regardless of what you think of Colin Calderwood, he guided Forest back into the Championship in grand fashion.

 

Well, it was either that or the most spectacular collapse in Doncaster and Carlisle’s end of season histories. Make your own mind up.

 

But any negativity the Scotsman received last campaign, justified if not always channelled constructively by many in the stands, has well and truly been eradicated since May 5.

 

The feel good factor has returned to the City Ground with a vengeance.

 

The character the squad showed to pull through in the final seven games was an amazing feat. One that left fans questioning where it had been all campaign.

 

But now, all that’s over. And the red half of Nottingham can look forward to a truly exciting season in the second tier. Even in an irritatingly inconsistent league where the form guide is irrelevant.

 

And messers Doughty, Arthur and Calderwood can congratulate themselves on a job well done in the summer’s transfer market.

 

Andy Cole, Rob Earnshaw Paul Anderson, Guy Moussi, and Joe Garner represent a real commitment to challenge for a top six spot.

 

Should things fall into place-it’s a top half finish probably guaranteed. And anything is possible if Forest can replicate an end of season run like that witnessed in April and May.

 

The only down point is the failure yet to strengthen the defence and goalkeeper. Strange, you might argue given their sterling record in the last 12 months.

 

But Wes Morgan and Kelvin Wilson may just take six months to acclimatise to the Championship completely.

 

Both have experience at this level but one of their few flaws is being slightly flat footed in their own third. They now face better out and out strikers with pace and finishing that will punish any mistakes.

 

But they will get stronger and more experienced quickly.

 

An area that is a question mark is left and right back.

 

Luke Chambers and Julian Bennett have all the youth and athleticism you could want. Bennett particularly can cause trouble with his crossing when he gets forward.

 

But on last year’s evidence they may  both be found out-because they are  in essence centre halves.

 

More astute and skilled wingers may have a field day at their expense because they are simply not naturals in their position, and on the back foot far too much when under pressure.

 

But naturally the pair may well excel in the first few months of the season with the sheer adrenalin of playing at a higher level. It remains to be seen if their hunger and spirit can hide any of their technical problems.

 

A question mark too hangs over Paul Smith and why he has no out and out competition for his place. Seeking a wiser head between the sticks may have been a good call given the age of Forest’s defence in a higher divsion, especially given the former Southampton keeper’s dipping confidence after he makes mistakes in games.

 

Those worries aside, it should be a fantastic first season back.

 

A bottom half finish would be disappointing but after the last three years even Nottingham Forest fans would accept mid-table and a degree of mediocrity.

 

Or would they? It just wouldn’t be Nottingham Forest Football Club without sky high expectations.