The team selection was a slight surprise. I wasn’t expecting to see Zinchenko in there. Disclaimer: in there can mean absolutely bloody anywhere on the left hand side of the pitch, given previous performances.
It was good to see the balance on the wings. Forest always play better with width; Brenan, Franz Carr, Robbo - you can trace the lineage.
The reception for Woan and Stone for the warm up alone was a little emotional. Bloody hell - it’s good to see those two Forest boys back at the World Famous wearing the badge.
Dyche’s introduction was rightly downplayed. He did what he had to - which was to make the short walk from the home dressing room to the home dugout. Not as easy as you might think. Ask Big Ron.
Welcome to the World Famous, Gaffer.
It was a rare occasion for me where I unmuted the telly and turned off Sir Colin of West Bridgford on BBC Radio Nottingham. You have to make the most of Fletch calling the shots in the telly gallery.
He didn’t let us down, although I had slight panic attacks each time he mentioned the name Rosario.
The Zinchenko early injury was a worry. Not so much for the game itself, but the nature in which it leaves the full back cupboard a little bare over the coming weeks.
The ref was bloody awful. How difficult can it be to avoid being hit by the ball on a pitch that size? Booking an attacking player and giving a free kick, to then being reversed for a home team penalty is one hell of a reverse ferret, fella.
The MGW pen itself was a little nervy. Don’t fanny about, mate.
POW. Right in the kisser. And thank chuff for that. It was good to see MGW starting to find his puppet master strings once again.
2-0 up and…
Defend! Defend!
Defend! Defend! Defend!
…as we use to sing back in the old Trent End days. We knew how to amuse ourselves each time Wimbledon rocked up in town.
The clean sheet was a bonus. I had forgotten how precious these are.
SHOUT OUT to Big Wily at FT for being the official Forest Cheerleader. Likewise for Ola celebrating in the tunnel. Pretty in pink, etc.
The Premier Grill fireworks were a welcome return. It’s been a while. Forest All Over the World had me singing after my three pints of Bank’s Bitter.
Chin chin.
As for Dyche?
P1 W1
I’ll take that.
There’s a slight concern about McAtee, Kalimuendo, Bakwa (injured?) and the Europa AWOL Hutchinson. This could be the most expensive set of Forest flops since Hartford, Wallace and Fashanu.
Onwards. To Bournemouth.
Oh Lordy.