Tuesday 14th September - an existential crisis!

I couldn’t bring myself to report on Forest v Cardiff on Sunday. I’m trying to operate to a motto we use with the kids at work, “If you can’t say something nice…”. In which case, I’m a bit limited. The minute’s applause on the 17th minute for young Dylan Rich, who tragically died during a West Bridgford Colts match recently was immaculately observed, including by the big and lively Cardiff contingent, Forest scored a halfway decent goal and then Spear of Destiny were great at the Rescue Rooms.

The terrible form is causing an existential crisis on social media, exemplified by a post today from one Andy Brown. Andy questioned whether it matters if your team wins or loses and proposed that we can enjoy the match regardless. Being with family and friends, a pint or two, away from the pressures of the real-world. Response was varied, from total agreement to pure outrage that anyone could suggest football results aren’t actually a matter of life and death.

Without agreeing totally, I think Andy has hit on an important thing. Going forward, the opportunities for clubs to be successful by the traditional measures are going to be limited. The petro-rich clubs are going to dominate, 99.9%. There is a new elite, which even the old classic big clubs can’t compete with. PSG buying Messi was a signal. The cost is irrelevant. Madrid can bid 200 million Euros or whatever it was for Mbappe, but PSG can just laugh at them really, until they want rid. City can buy whoever they choose and whether or not they’re a huge success is not especially critical. The old-guard can’t compete. Arsenal are a prime example. The BBC are currently screening a history of the Premier League and, for me the most telling thing was seeing Jack Walker transform Blackburn into champions with his, at the time, unbelievable 50 million. Or half a Jack Grealish.

So, do we all need to adjust our sights? Or risk making ourselves ill with anger? I’d love to be wrong, but Forest will never again compete at that level. It’s unlikely to say the least. So what should I expect or hope for? Admittedly, I quite like the Championship, slightly gritty and grimy, some big clubs, plenty of local-ish interest, anyone can beat anyone (other than us at the moment!). How much fun would there be to be had in getting spanked in the Prem week in week out? But then that’s the likely outcome of promotion, but we all want a fun season of getting promoted, don’t we? Me included. I really don‘t fancy another spell in League One either. But, for some, let’s say Mansfield, that would be an ambition achieved and perfectly enjoyable. Is my life any better than theirs and is it any worse than that of a Citeh fan?

And let’s be stupidly extreme and imagine a new petro-chem benefactor comes along and takes a look at this slumbering giant - another debate here - are we that? Were we giant or did we just have a magical period of being a massively over-achieving small to middling club. He invests billions and transforms us. Lovely. Maybe. Hopefully he’s a decent guy, not some psycho human rights abuser or religious zealot. We rise through the Championship, win the Prem, win the Champions League. We have a blast, curse new plastic fans and the expense of it all, still find plenty to grumble about and wake up the day after the final, hungover, with our lives no different to the day before it. No denying it’s been fun, but then it all just starts again. Next season, we‘re miserable about finishing second to Derby, who found an even richer benefactor in the close season!

I don’t know - I accept that’s a stupid scenario. I’m genuinely confused, not really trying to make a case either way. I’m just tying to reason things out. What I do know though, is it’s not much fun watching Forest at the moment and a win or two might help.

Right now, I’d settle for the chance of a win when we play, the offer of a bit of entertainment and escape, a feeling that the club was well run, at least with capacity to perform to a good part of its potential, that the players were putting in a decent effort and we recruited sensibly. That we were kept informed and cared for. A decent seat, not covered in grime, being able to get a pint at half time without sacrificing most of the 2nd half, honest communication about what is going on. Facilities so you could wash and dry your hands after having a piss, which you currently can’t. Two years into a pandemic. Realistic ticket pricing and good service. Yes, all secondary to the football, but all would be nice.

Andy has opened a pandora’s box of philosophical torment here. I don’t think he meant he doesn’t care either way about the result. I think he was after a bit of perspective. The alternative may be a life spent in a rage about things you can’t control and which might not matter that much.

I want to watch Forest win. I care passionately about them. Over the years, I’ve taken kickings for them, had darts and ball bearings fired at me (mostly on the Anfield Road End), had a Stanley knife pulled on me (guess where), been arrested, lost a job, spent a ridiculous amount, fallen out with people over them, watched 97 people get crushed to death. But I also get that I have to temper my expectations now. Whether others do or not is up to them and I hope Forest can recover to meet their expectations. I really do.