(11-02-2020, 04:23 PM)ThePromisedLand Wrote: You deleted the Daily Mail article Sniff.
A link? Yes - but perfectly readable.
And a cracking article.

(11-02-2020, 04:25 PM)Sniffer Dog Wrote:

(11-02-2020, 04:23 PM)ThePromisedLand Wrote: You deleted the Daily Mail article Sniff.
A link? Yes - but perfectly readable.
And a cracking article.

No.

You are looking in the wrong thread. It's in the 'Nice Read' thread.

(11-02-2020, 04:17 PM)Sniffer Dog Wrote:

(11-02-2020, 04:02 PM)BadDog Wrote:

(11-02-2020, 11:15 AM)pennhillred Wrote: Great piece by John Percy today…

Special report: How Sabri Lamouchi is quietly leading Nottingham Forest's return to the promised land after 21-year exile


It really feels like it's happening!

How about pasting it for those of us who dont subscribe?

This is why I don't like links. Half of them won't open for many people, plus people who originally post them on Social Media etc later take them down so you click on them and there is nothing there. Many of them also are clickbait websites etc like HITC etc. 

Much better to copy and paste something instead of posting links. Hint hint  :cool:

(11-02-2020, 04:26 PM)ThePromisedLand Wrote:

(11-02-2020, 04:25 PM)Sniffer Dog Wrote:

(11-02-2020, 04:23 PM)ThePromisedLand Wrote: You deleted the Daily Mail article Sniff.
A link? Yes - but perfectly readable.
And a cracking article.

No.

You are looking in the wrong thread. It's in the 'Nice Read' thread.

Thread disappeared?
Appears to have been deleted.

(11-02-2020, 05:27 PM)pennhillred Wrote: Here's the Telegraph article by Percy I posted a link to earlier. Didn't realise you had to subscribe, was only trying to be helpful...


Special report: How Sabri Lamouchi is quietly leading Nottingham Forest's return to the promised land after 21-year exile

Following Saturday's 2-0 victory over Leeds, there's a growing sense that in Lamouchi, Forest finally have manager who can end lengthy wait

It was Brian Clough who once defiantly insisted “I hope anybody’s not stupid enough to write us off”, after one of Nottingham Forest’s magical nights in European competition.

Those momentous evenings will probably never be repeated but Forest’s latest generation are now dreaming of creating some history of their own, with a return to the Premier League now appearing a genuine prospect.

The 2-0 victory over Leeds on Saturday night has taken Forest to within one point of the Championship’s automatic promotion places and there is a growing sense that in Sabri Lamouchi, they finally have a manager who could end their lengthy exile.

Forest fans do not need reminding that it is 21 years since their club last operated in the top-flight: the doomed 1998/99 season in which manager Dave Bassett angrily told rebel striker Pierre van Hooijdonk to “stick his olive branch” up his backside and Ron Atkinson chose the wrong dug-out before his first home match in charge. (watch the video below)

Remarkably, 45 teams have played in the top division since Forest last competed at that level, and when they were officially relegated at Aston Villa in April '99, Westlife were No 1.

Yet the current mood around the City Ground is vibrant and with 15 games left in the season, it feels somehow different this time.

Lamouchi is the club’s 12th manager since June 2011, but his quiet revolution is gathering momentum at a crucial stage of the season.

“Nobody could have imagined that in February we would be exactly where we are, so it’s a good surprise for everyone,” said Lamouchi on Monday lunchtime, shortly before taking a video analysis session with his squad.

“When I signed, nobody knew me. You never know what is going to happen. This game is sometimes cruel. I’m so proud to be the manager, but we need to make our [own] history.

“I don’t want any regrets at the end. Don’t think about the past or the future, enjoy what is happening in the moment. Don’t cry at the end of the season if you are one point outside of the play-offs.

“We are Nottingham Forest, one of the biggest clubs in England and we are living it now.”

Lamouchi’s impact since replacing Martin O’Neill in June has been impressive, with the 48 year old Frenchman guiding the club into fourth place and losing just seven league matches so far this season.

The victory over Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds was his best result yet, with the 29,455 crowd creating one of the best atmospheres at the City Ground in a long time. 

A football obsessive, Lamouchi radiates calm and has established a firm bond with his players, who are all flourishing under his training sessions and astute game management.

Michael Dawson, the former England international who has returned “home” for his second spell at the club, knew very early on that Lamouchi was special.

“He’s come in and done an unbelievable job, he’s leading and we’re all following,” he told Telegraph Sport.

“He’s having to deal with over 20 players but everyone is eating out of the palm of his hand. Tactically, he’s brilliant in how he sets us up and training is very intense. He’s approachable and his door is always open.

“The most striking thing about Sabri is how balanced he stays during the highs and lows, he never seems to change. I feel like everyone is playing at their peak and we’re right in the mix now.”

Lamouchi’s squad possesses a nice blend of experience, epitomised by Dawson, and youthful energy. There is leading scorer Lewis Grabban [with 16 goals], who the Forest manager insists is the best forward in the Championship. His “brain inside the pitch” is former Wigan midfielder Ben Watson, 34.

Joe Worrall, a centre-half from the club’s academy, and Matty Cash, a midfielder converted into a right-back by Lamouchi, have been key players, and Forest have rejected bids of over £10 million from Premier League clubs for both of them in the last two years.

There are many other success stories, such as goalkeeper Brice Samba who was recommended by the club’s head of international recruitment, Jose Anigo, and has managed 12 clean sheets this season.
Nottingham Forest's Brice Samba and Matty Cash celebrate

Sammy Ameobi, the former Bolton winger, is a shrewd free transfer who was persuaded to sign in a one-on-one meeting with Roy Keane, previously O’Neill’s No 2, who departed less than a week later.

Yet it is Lamouchi who has gelled these players into a team, utilising intuitive man-management and a desire to be tactically flexible. Forest have won many games by being entertaining, but there has also been a clear ability to grind out victories which has eluded them since arguably the first tenure of Billy Davies.

“It’s not easy to find the right project but we found this club. Many people tried before and we will try again,” says Lamouchi.

“From the beginning, game after game, the players started to follow and trust us. I have learned so much in this league because everything is new. It’s a fantastic experience for me.

“We also have fantastic support everywhere we go, from 3,000 to 5,000 fans, and that is because they know something has started.”

Forest’s fans are clearly enjoying the ride. Average attendances have been just over 27,650 [second behind Leeds], with four sell-outs so far this season and redevelopment of the Peter Taylor Stand expected to start in the summer.

On social media, the club has reported the highest interaction on Instagram in the Championship for six months in a row. There were 25 million impressions on Twitter last month alone.

The set-up within the club is also unquestionably Premier League standard. Evangelos Marinakis, the Greek owner, has introduced a continental structure similar to his other club, Olympiakos, with hugely-experienced chief executive Ioannis Vrentzos, director of football Kyriakos Dourekas, technical director Francois Modesto and Anigo.

The big question now is whether Forest can finally make the crucial step. As Clough said over 40 years ago, with a twinkle in his eye, it would be foolish to write them off.

(11-02-2020, 04:17 PM)Sniffer Dog Wrote:

(11-02-2020, 04:02 PM)BadDog Wrote:

(11-02-2020, 11:15 AM)pennhillred Wrote: Great piece by John Percy today…

Special report: How Sabri Lamouchi is quietly leading Nottingham Forest's return to the promised land after 21-year exile


It really feels like it's happening!

How about pasting it for those of us who dont subscribe?

This is why I don't like links. Half of them won't open for many people, plus people who originally post them on Social Media etc later take them down so you click on them and there is nothing there. Many of them also are clickbait websites etc like HITC etc. 

Much better to copy and paste something instead of posting links. Hint hint  :cool:

(11-02-2020, 11:45 PM)zicorice Wrote: I like Sabri alot. But he has dropped a massive clanger tonight.

Strongest team please every match for next 14 games. That's all it is.